GRAND JUNCTION, Colo -- The Colorado National Monument is gaining national recognition as one of the favorite national parks in the west.

At the beginning of August a national grant program kicked off, asking people to vote for their favorite state or national park. The winner gets a hundred grand, and although they aren't at the top of the list, the Monument is still seeing encouraging numbers that could end up helping local kids.

"We're feeling pretty proud and pretty grateful to our neighbors here in the Grand Valley," explained Superintendent Joan Anzelmo.

Anzelmo has plenty of reason to feel thankful. An ongoing online contest for grant money has the Monument with a tally of over 26,000 votes.

"That is more than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, and Rocky Mountain National Park."

Although it doesn't appear the Monument has the votes to win the hundred-grand up for grabs, Anzelmo says drawing the attention is important for fundraising purposes.

"Last year through a combination of grants we were able to pay for all of the transportation for close to 8,000 students," she said.

But it's hard to get votes unless people see the Monument first-hand.

With dramatic views at nearly every turn, it's easy to see why Colorado National Monument remains very popular among tourists.

Ann Gonten of Springfield, Missouri has been traveling through national parks for the last couple of weeks, and finds the Monument to be as unique as any place she's been to.

"You walk out towards the overlooks, and if there isn't anyone else standing there it's just so very quiet. It's just beautiful," she explained.

She, like Anzelmo, says bringing youth into these parks can give them a lifetime of memories.

"I remember a trip out west across Trail Ridge Road when I was eight years old, and that's made we want to come back," Gonten said.

Anzelmo is hoping the numbers for the Monument continue to outpace those of much larger parks out west.

These voting statistics will be put to good use in writing future grants and funding those school trips, which in many cases are being cut from budgets around the state.

If you'd like to vote for the Monument, head to: http://www.livepositively.com/default.aspx#/americasparks/vote