The family and friends of former Colorado Gov. Dick Lamm have filed a petition with Colorado Parks and Wildlife seeking to rename Roxborough State Park as the Richard D. Lamm State Park at Roxborough, sparking a debate among park advocates and stirring public comment ahead of a scheduled open house.
Background and reasons cited by supporters
Supporters of the proposed renaming point to Lamm's role in the early acquisitions that helped create the state park system and to his personal ties to the area. According to friends and family, Lamm and his wife frequently visited the park and introduced out-of-state guests to the site.
"He and Mrs. Lamm and their family visited there often. They often took friends there from out of state when they visited Colorado,"
Lee White, a friend and former state budget director, told CBS Colorado that Lamm was instrumental in acquiring the first parcel of land that ultimately became Roxborough State Park and in subsequent acquisitions that expanded the state's parks. Proponents say renaming the park would honor that work and could attract philanthropic support from Lamm's network.
Opposition from park supporters and volunteers
Not everyone agrees a name change is the right way to honor the former governor. The Friends of Roxborough State Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the park, has formally opposed the petition.
"Its name says what it is, it's a village of rocks, a fortress of rocks. And the name is the place,"
Mike Thomas, president of the Friends group, told CBS Colorado that the organization values the park’s existing name and identity. Thomas said the park’s name itself reflects the landscape and the visitor experience, and that many visitors feel strongly about preserving it.
What happens next: public input and process
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will collect public input as part of its consideration of the petition. Commissioner Jack Murphy is scheduled to host an open house at Roxborough State Park on Sept. 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. for members of the public who wish to weigh in.
The petition proposes leaving the historical Roxborough name in place while adding Lamm’s name, framed as "the Richard D. Lamm State Park at Roxborough", rather than replacing the park’s existing name entirely.
- Proponents: Cite Lamm’s role in park land acquisitions and his personal connection to Roxborough.
- Opponents: Argue the Roxborough name reflects the park’s character and that alternate tributes could honor Lamm.
- Process: Colorado Parks and Wildlife will consider public feedback; an open house is set for Sept. 12.
Local significance and broader considerations
Roxborough State Park is widely known for its dramatic rock formations and is supported by volunteer groups and nonprofit partners. Name changes for public lands often prompt discussions about history, local identity and how best to commemorate public figures.
Supporters say a formal renaming tied to a high-profile figure could mobilize philanthropic resources and increase visitation. Opponents caution that altering the park’s established name risks erasing a geographic identity that resonates with regular visitors and local stakeholders.
As Colorado Parks and Wildlife weighs the petition, the open house will be an early opportunity for residents, visitors and park partners to speak directly with agency officials about their preferences and concerns. The agency’s decision-making timeline beyond the public meeting was not detailed in the available reporting.
| Item | Date (reported) |
|---|---|
| Death of Gov. Dick Lamm | 2021 |
| Petition filed to rename Roxborough State Park | Reported Sept. 5, 2026 |
| Open house hosted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioner Jack Murphy | Sept. 12, 3–5 p.m. |
Those seeking to learn more or offer formal comments should consult Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s public notices and the Friends of Roxborough State Park for meeting details and any follow-up opportunities for input.
The proposal has set up a common tension in park management: how to balance honoring notable public servants with preserving place-based names that reflect landscape and community attachment. The agency’s response will test how state officials incorporate local sentiment into decisions about the names and identities of Colorado’s public lands.
— Hannah Sorensen, WE NEWS
