Keep Rox, Rox

A petition asks the state to rename Roxborough State Park after former Governor Dick Lamm. We think the park should keep its name, and that there is a better way to honor him.

Comment to the commissionA better honor

What is happening

Filed July 22, 2026

The petition

A citizen petition asks the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to rename Roxborough State Park. The new name would be The Richard D. Lamm State Park at Roxborough.

It was filed by the family of former Governor Dick Lamm and four members of his administration. Governor Lamm served from 1975 to 1987 and died in 2021.

The Friends of Roxborough State Park, the nonprofit that has backed the park since 1994, is against the change and has offered to work on another way to honor him.

Who askedDottie Lamm, Heather Lamm, Scott Lamm, and former state officials Gail Klapper, John Lay, Harris Sherman and Lee White.
Who decidesThe Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, a citizen board with 11 voting members.
So farAnnounced at the commission's September 2 meeting. A commissioner scheduled an open house at the park for September 12.
What is nextThe commission begins discussing the petition November 4 to 5 in Fort Morgan. No decision date has been set.

Why keep the name

Five reasons

Why it should stay Roxborough

It is older than the parkHenry Persse named this ground Roxborough Park after his family's estate in County Galway, Ireland, and formed the Roxborough Land Co. here in 1902. The state bought the first 500 acres from that property in 1975 and kept the name.
It fitsThe Friends' president, Mike Thomas, told CBS Colorado the name says what the place is: a village of rocks, a fortress of rocks.
People built this park under itThe Friends have raised more than $500,000 to help the park grow, and volunteers have put in thousands of hours. They did it for Roxborough.
A change costs money and claritySigns, maps, websites and every guidebook would need replacing. The Friends also point out that Lamb Spring, an archaeological site, is close by.
There is a better honorThere is a better way to honor him, and it leaves Roxborough's name alone. Details after the commission's November 4 to 5 meeting.
1902the Roxborough Land Co. is formed. the name has been on this ground since
1975the state buys the first 500 acres and calls it Roxborough State Park
1980named a National Natural Landmark
2018Colorado's first Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site

The other side

Credit where it is due

What the petition gets right

Governor Lamm's record on Colorado's land is real, and nothing on this page disputes it. The petition lists it, and so do we.

The question is only how to honor it. We think the answer is an honor that carries his name from the start, not a new name over one that is more than a century old.

RoxboroughThe first land for the park was acquired in 1975, his first year in office. The park became a Colorado Natural Area in 1979.
State parksThe petition credits his administration with acquiring or expanding Barr Lake, Mueller, Eldorado Canyon, Pueblo, Chatfield and others.
WildernessIt also credits him with helping expand federal wilderness, including the Weminuche, Flat Tops, Holy Cross, Eagles Nest and Indian Peaks.
Who backs the petitionAccording to the petition, Governor Polis and all four living former governors support it.

A better honor

still locked

There is a better way to honor Governor Lamm, and it leaves Roxborough's name alone. We will share the details here after the commission's November 4 to 5 meeting.

Comment to the commission

What you can do

Five things

What you can do

CommentSend a written comment to the Parks and Wildlife Commission. Ask them to keep the name Roxborough State Park and to honor Governor Lamm another way. Comments received by October 29 go to commissioners before their November 4 to 5 meeting. The comment form is here.
Speak at the meetingNovember 4 to 5 at The Block Commissary Kitchen & Events, 19592 E 8th Ave, Fort Morgan. Sign up at the meeting to speak in person. To speak online, use the sign-up form CPW posts October 26. Online sign-up closes October 30. The Zoom link comes out with the agenda.
Keep at itNovember starts the discussion. No decision date has been set, and the commission takes written comment before every meeting. Keep writing until it is decided.
Write a commissionerThe Friends of Roxborough State Park keep a contact list for all of them on their site.
Back the FriendsThey have carried this park for more than thirty years. Join, give or volunteer.
Comment to the commissionFriends of Roxborough

Sources

This page is the view of Scott Schrader of The Stoke Fine Racing Events. The Stoke holds the Roxborough Ultras in the park under a permit. This page does not speak for the park, its staff, Colorado Parks and Wildlife or the Friends of Roxborough State Park. Questions go to Scott@StokeTrailRacing.com or 303-818-2239.