Mission
To support nature education and stewardship of Roxborough State Park and to protect its boundaries.
Structure
A non-profit 501(c)3 organization comprised of all volunteers with no over-head costs. The activities of the Friends are directed by a 6-member Board (i.e., President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Data, and Retail).
Membership
$30 per year (family or individual)
Membership lists are private. Members receive the Rambles, a quarterly program guides with Friends' updates. Join today by filling out the membership form and submit donation online! For more information, stop by the Visitor Center or call 303-973-3959.
Projects Completed
The 60-acre in-holding on Willow Creek was purchased! This is a beautiful property! It is the backdrop to the historic Waterhouse Homestead, which will be on the agenda for restoration after this acquisition is completed. Come see the property – it has a waterfall as well as remains of the original farmhouse, loafing shed, hand dug well and barn foundation.
Sponsored Activities
Coming Soon: Covered Multiuse Pavilion: The Friends of Roxborough, along with park staff and volunteers, have set a goal to build a covered pavilion that can be used for educational programs and rented out for weddings, birthdays, reunions and other special occasions. To do this, the park aims to raise $100,000.
How Can you Help?
Barbara Fritts Scholarship Fund: Transportation funds for income disadvantaged schools which allow kids to come to Roxborough for naturalist-guided educational experiences. For more information, visit the Barbara Fritts Scholarship Fund page.
Moonlight Hikes: Moonlight Hikes are offered May through October. See the night side of Roxborough! Reservations required. Please email the Friends of Roxborough at Friendsrspsec@gmail.com to reserve your spot and make a donation. There is a minimum donation of $8.00 per person.
Summer Concerts: Concerts are free throughout the summer. The hat is passed around for donations. For a schedule of concerts, call the park at 303-973-3959.
Rox-Ride: We have a 5-passenger electric golf cart that is driven by a Volunteer Naturalist. The Rox Ride is available by pre-schedule reservations on Mondays and Tuesdays, May through October. We can also schedule additional rides on Monday and Tuesday, Call 303-973-3959 to schedule.
Snacks and Drinks!: Several snacks and drinks are sold in the Visitor Center that help support the efforts of the Friends of Roxborough. You can also purchase a water bottle and fill up a the filtered water bottle station!
History
Founded in 1993 at the Bemis Library by a group of volunteers working to protect the Park's eastern boundary from residential development. With hard work and the support of Colorado State Parks, Douglas County Open Space and the Conservation Fund, the Southdowns development on the eastern border of the Park was acquired on May 31, 1996. This effort was recognized by GOCO, The Denver Business Journal and The Governors Smart Growth Award. Instead of condos and houses, chattering prairie dogs, blue birds, mule deer, black bear, short grass prairie, and an abundance of wild flowers now can be found in Southdowns.
The Friends subsequently participated in other Park acquisitions including the individual building lots bordering the Park in the South Stonehenge area and, in order to protect the southern border of the Park, the Friends participated with Douglas County Open Space in the acquisition of the Nelson Ranch, which was completed on November 12, 2002. The Friends have raised over $450,000.00 for land purchases since 1993 to protect this very special Park. At its inception in 1975, the Park consisted of approximately 500 acres and now has over 3,300 acres!
