Friends of Roxborough State Park
The mission of the Friends of Roxborough State Park is to protect and preserve the unique natural and cultural resources of Roxborough State Park by providing and managing financial resources and partnering with park staff and volunteers to educate the public, enhance the visitor experience, and support future strategic land acquisitions.
Roxborough State Park Should Remain Roxborough State Park
Proposed Name Change of Roxborough State Park
On July 22, 2026, the family and staff of former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm submitted a petition to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to change the name of Roxborough State Park to “The Richard D. Lamm State Park at Roxborough” as a way to honor his legacy and to recognize his strong support in protecting, conserving, and preserving Colorado’s natural areas. The Friends of Roxborough State Park is firmly against this name change but is willing to work with the Lamm Family on identifying other significant ways to honor Governor Lamm’s legacy.
Reasons the Friends of Roxborough State Park Opposes the Renaming of the Park
While Governor Lamm was in office, he supported the formation of Roxborough State Park and several other state parks for Colorado. He helped create several of Colorado’s wilderness areas. He was a strong leader and proponent in protecting Colorado’s natural areas. However, Roxborough State Park has its own legacy that we want to protect.
The Friends of Roxborough State Park opposes the name change for the following reasons:
- Roxborough State Park is world-renowned as the “Crown Jewel” of Colorado’s state parks.
- It is known as a premier site for environmental education.
- It holds numerous Federal, State, and other designations:
- Colorado Natural Area (1979)
- National Natural Landmark (1980)
- National Archaeological District (1983)
- Audubon Important Birding Area (2004)
- Leave No Trace Gold Standard (2018/2026)
- The name Roxborough means fortress or village of rocks, which perfectly describes the geology and nature of the park. The name originates from early landowner, Henry S. Persse, whose ancestral home in Ireland bore the name.
- The area has been known as Roxborough for over 125 years.
- The park was named Roxborough when the first parcel of land was acquired by the State of Colorado, over 50 years ago.
- The park celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025.
- In a 2002 survey by Colorado State Parks, Roxborough was rated it as the most beloved state park in Colorado.
- Douglas County, charitable organizations, businesses, and private donors have contributed millions of dollars, enabling the park to more than double in size since the Lamm administration.
- Volunteers have given thousands of hours to the park to build trails, eradicate noxious weeds, provide interpretive programs to school children and park visitors, research park history, restore historic buildings, and raise close to a million dollars to purchase additional land.
- Naming the park after one person marginalizes these contributions of the citizens of Colorado that have worked tirelessly to protect it.
- Roxborough is a name that holds dear meaning to the volunteers and Friends members who have worked and fought to make the park what it is today.
- There would be significant costs involved to rename the park including signage, maps, websites, etc.
- Hundreds of published hiking guides, geology textbooks, flower identification guides, and books about Colorado history would be affected by a name change and could potentially create great confusion with the countless publications outside of our scope of modification that exist highlighting Roxborough State Park.
- It is unclear of the public benefit from this, and it would create a risk of diminishing the park’s established identity and significance.
- There could be confusion with nearby Lamb Springs Paleontology site.
- The are other ways to honor the former Governor without changing the name of this established and historic long-loved state park.
To have your opinion heard, please submit your comments on this to the
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) at: https://engagecpw.org/pwc-public-comment/surveys/pwc-public-comment-form
Nature calls for a toilet at the Persse Place
We understand that when Nature Calls, there is not a good way to answer.
We hope that people follow Leave No Trace recommendations for you to pee in the woods (https://lnt.org/how-to-pee-outside/), but unfortunately we have seen evidence (toilet paper in the trees) to the contrary near the Persse Place on the Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park. Such actions not only detract from the natural beauty of the area but also pose significant risks to local wildlife and the delicate ecosystem. To help when Nature Calls you during your hiking adventures on Fountain Valley, the Friends of Roxborough State Park has ambitiously designated our 2026 Keystone Project as the installation of a Toilet Tech Decomposing Toilet. This innovative Toilet Tech, which functions as a waterless, decomposing toilet, is designed to minimize impacts on our environment, helping to protect the park’s flora and fauna while providing a much-needed facility for visitors. By implementing this project, we aim to raise awareness about proper outdoor hygiene practices, encourage responsible behavior, and ultimately foster a greater appreciation for the pristine wilderness that surrounds us.
We are looking to install the Toilet Tech toilet for a number of reasons:
- We have seen much evidence of people off-trail when Nature Calls
- Visitors frequently suggest a toilet near the Persse Place for when Nature Calls
- Our recent member survey indicated that a toilet at the end of the Fountain Vally Loop should be a top priority.
So, we at Friends hear Nature Calling you and your family and friends to contribute to Friends to help with funding this much needed visitor amenity. We are looking to raise approximately $30,000 for the purchase and installation of the toilet sometime this Spring. To contribute in any amount, visit our contributions page via the link below!
Next time Nature Calls, you will have a proper place to answer.
Friends News / Recent Events
Roxborough State Park Redesignated as Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site – July 2025
Leave No Trace recently announced the redesignation of Roxborough State Park as a Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site, an honor awarded to sites, organizations, and programs that demonstrate excellence in implementing the Leave No Trace principles, which are essential in minimizing the impact of natural resources and ensuring a sustainable future for natural areas. Roxborough State Park originally earned the recognition in 2018 and was redesignated for its role as a leader in promoting responsible enjoyment in the outdoors.
Roxborough State Park’s 50th Anniversary – July 2025
Roxborough park staff, volunteers, and community members celebrated the 50th anniversary of the park’s land acquisition. The people of Colorado are so fortunate to have the Park that we know and love today – it almost didn’t happen! To help celebrate the golden anniversary, the volunteers and Friends of Roxborough State Park pulled out all the stops:
✓ Rox Rides, Open Houses at Historical Buildings
✓ Historical Displays – Leave No Trace, Roxborough Historical Society
✓ Geological and Historical Discussions along trails
✓ Live music from the Sasquatch Singers
Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate with us, and here’s to 50 more great years!
Recent Project – Natural National Landmark Plaque Mounting
Roxborough State Park was given the designation of a National Natural Landmark in April 1980, citing the Park’s “nationally significant example of the Nation’s natural heritage.” Specifically, the park is identified as an excellent example of tilted faulted sedimentary strata containing atypical occurrences of at least two Front Range plant communities.
To help ensure that visitors recognize this designation, the Friends of Roxborough State Park collaborated with Park Staff to procure a metal plaque from the National Park Service commemorating the location. The plaque is prominently mounted on a stone display near the Park’s flagpole for all to enjoy.
Recent Project – Persse Place and South Rim Interpretive Signs
Interpretive signage is an important part of a visitor’s experience to Roxborough, allowing us to share the rich history, and educate visitors about the natural landscape they see. The Friends of Roxborough State Park raised funds to renovate and improve several signs near the historic Henry Persse stone home, as well as a sign illustrating the many different geologic formations visible from the stunning vista atop the South Rim Trail.
To learn more about Henry Persse visit our History page at the link below.
Recent Project – Educational Pavilion
Education about the natural world is one of the most important missions of Roxborough State Park. Having a dedicated and sheltered place will enhance our ability to better serve students and visitors. We want to thank our many donors and supporters, including the Sterling Ranch Community Advisory Board and the Colorado Parks Foundation.
Please visit the park and see firsthand, the Education Pavilion that will allow the park to host school groups for years to come and still allow our visitors to enjoy the scenic views from the Visitor Center patio.
See More Recent Events and Learn About Other Important News
Click to see more about past events and dive deeper into what the Friends of Roxborough State Park are up to
Join the Friends of Roxborough State Park in Our Mission
The Friends of Roxborough State Park welcomes you to learn more about our one-of-a-kind park, truly the jewel of Colorado State Parks. Our organization is focused on supporting the needs of Roxborough State Park staff and volunteers. In the words of our former President, Del Kelley, “We do this work for the eagle, the bear and the penstemon.”
Together, we can ensure that Roxborough is a place for everyone to learn, experience, and enjoy this magnificent natural resource.
Roxborough State Park Posters
From Just Go Travel Studios – WPA Style Posters and New 50th Anniversary Collage
Works Progress administration (WPA) art posters began as part of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal in the 1930s to help promote America’s national parks. Help celebrate this tradition and purchase a poster to help support the Friends of Roxborough State Park!
Click the posters below to visit Just Go Travel Studio
Explore The Friends of Roxborough State Park Website
Roxborough State Park is a National Natural Landmark, Colorado Natural Area, National Archaeological Historic District and a Leave No Trace Gold Standard site. It is one of the crown jewels in the Colorado State Parks system.
Friends of Roxborough State Park
Formed in 1994, Friends started helping acquire land for the park. Since then, it has transitioned to financially supporting interpretive education and visitor enhancements at the park.
Friends hosts various events from moonlight hikes to concerts on the patio. New events are being added all the time to help enhance the experiences of Park visitors.
There are several ways that you can support the Friends of Roxborough State Park. Consider getting involved by joining or donating to help us fulfill our mission.
A Huge Thank You to Our Community and Corporate Partners!
The Friends of Roxborough State Park could not succeed in our mission to help support and promote the Park without the backing of our trusted partners
✓ Sterling Ranch
✓ Colorado Parks Foundation
✓ Colorado Gives Registered Organization
✓ Friends of Colorado State Parks
