CPW earns three awards for "At Home in Nature" state park history book

John Livingston
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / [email protected]
@CPW_SW

Sept. 23, 2025

DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife was honored Sept. 10 during the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) annual conference. “At Home in Nature, The History of Colorado’s State Parks,” was announced as the winner of the Ney Landrum History Award out of nearly 60 submissions.

The Ney C. Landrum History Award recognizes individuals, teams and organizations that have displayed outstanding efforts in original research and presentation of state park history. The 2025 award was presented Wednesday morning during this year’s conference at Canaan Valley Resort State Park in West Virginia.

“This is the first chronicle of Colorado’s state parks history and evolution,” the NASPD award committee said. “It preserves and celebrates the enduring passion for its special places and captures the vision, challenges and triumphs that shaped its development.”

The NASPD voters commended “At Home in Nature” for its detailed research, engaging narrative and stunning visuals. 

“It conveyed a deep connection of the state’s residents with natural landscapes and outdoor recreation, recognized first Coloradans, many Tribes that historically and currently call Colorado home, and it has a section of appreciation for women in leadership at state parks, and it is a legacy gift to future generations.”

The win added to two other award recognitions for “At Home in Nature,” which was released in 2024. It also was named Best Anthology Book of 2025 by the Colorado Authors League. The book also earned second place in the Association for Conservation Information contest in the one-time publication category for books.

“We are so proud of this work that highlights the history and impact of the state parks system. It was a collaborative labor of love,” said CPW Capital Development Program Manager Margaret Taylor. “During the years of planning and production, our focus was never on winning awards. But to see all of the hard work by so many people gain accolades from multiple organizations and national recognition from our state parks peers, it is truly rewarding for all of us.”

LISTEN: Colorado Outdoors Podcast features “At Home in Nature: The History of Colorado’s State Parks.”

Partnering with famed Colorado nature writer Mary Taylor Young, CPW staff created a unique hardbound coffee table masterpiece that features stunning state park photographs over the years and pictures of current and former staff, outdoor leaders, volunteers and visitors. The book not only preserves the history of Colorado’s State Parks but also celebrates the state’s enduring passion for its special places.

“After we had a final manuscript, the creative eye and hard work of Wayne Lewis, editor and art director of Colorado Outdoors magazine, crafted it into a stunning book with great photos and beautiful design – a task that equated to a whole year of layout and design of Colorado Outdoors,” said Young.

Colorado is home to 43 state parks that protect 220,000 acres of land and water and host more than 18 million visitors a year. Within the pages “At Home in Nature” is the story of how this wonderful network of parks came to be, a history that spans back 12,000 years.

Team members invested countless hours researching archival materials, collecting data, garnering old and new pictures and gathering oral histories to provide an authentic and detailed narrative. Their efforts ensured that the book accurately reflects the vision, setbacks and milestones of Colorado’s State Parks.

The team ensured that the book was not only informative but also visually captivating. Through carefully selected photographs and thoughtful design, the book captures the essence and beauty of Colorado’s State Parks.

The book was so successful at its initial release that it sold out in its first printing. Copies are available at state park visitor centers and online at CPWShop.com.

Plan your next outdoor adventure at a Colorado state park using CPW’s State Park Finder to discover a world of outdoor activities. Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration and support Colorado state parks, search and rescue teams, avalanche safety, wildlife conservation, and outdoor education. Start your journey at cpw.info/keepcoloradowild.