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 he should be honored with something new: a trail.

Comment to the commissionThe trail idea

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 meets November 4 to 5 in Fort Morgan. We have not found a published date for a decision.

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 honorA new name on an old park adds nothing to the ground. A new trail would.
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 to build something that carries his name from the start, not to put 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

A proposal from The Stoke

The Lamm Trail

Here is the idea. Leave the park's name alone, and put Governor Lamm's name on a trail that ties together the country he helped protect.

One line, on foot, from Chatfield State Park to Roxborough State Park. It would follow the High Line Canal, cross Sterling Ranch on its trails, climb onto Sharptail Ridge and drop into the park.

The petition credits him with expanding Chatfield and starting Roxborough. A trail between the two would put his name on something that did not exist before.

This is a proposal. Nobody named on this page has agreed to it, and none of them has been asked yet.

Already thereSharptail Ridge Open Space has 4.6 miles of Douglas County trail, open to hikers and horses, that already runs into Roxborough State Park, Indian Creek and the Colorado Trail.
The missing linkGetting from Sterling Ranch to the Sharptail trailhead. It could cross private ranch land if the owner is willing, or follow Roxborough Park Road with the county's help.
The north endTying Chatfield to the High Line Canal and on to Sterling Ranch. Jefferson County may need to be part of that.
The far endFrom Sharptail and the park, existing trail continues to Indian Creek in Pike National Forest and to the Colorado Trail.

A sketch of the idea, not a survey. Open dots mark the stretch between Sterling Ranch and Sharptail Ridge that has no public way through yet.

Who would need to be at the table

Friends of Roxborough State Parkthe park's nonprofit partner since 1994
The Lamm familyit is his name. it should be their call
Colorado Parks and WildlifeRoxborough and Chatfield state parks
CPW's wildlife sideCPW holds the conservation easement at Sharptail Ridge
Douglas CountySharptail Ridge Open Space and the county roads
US Forest ServicePike National Forest, at the far end

And Jefferson County, if the route needs it.

What you can do

Four things

What you can do

CommentSend a written comment to the Parks and Wildlife Commission. Comments received by October 29 go to commissioners before their November 4 to 5 meeting. The comment form is here.
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.
Want the trailIf you manage land on this line, or want to help build the case for it, write to Scott.
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.