The Marmot Messenger STAUNTON STATE PARK

VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER MARCH – APRIL 2017 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

What’s Inside Zach’s Column 3 Phase II 4 Raymond 6 Volunteer Breakfast 7 Elk Creek Valley Memories 9 Friends 11 Trails 13 Back in Kindergarten 14 On Thin Ice 15 From Our Loyal Readers 16 Getting to Know You 17 Team Coordinators and Staff 19 MARMOT MESSENGER 2

HIKE TOTALS . 6 hikes . 93 participants . 11 volunteers . 160 hot dogs . 5 gallons of coffee . 10 gallons of hot chocolate . Untold numbers of marshmallows/s’mores That clearly adds up to 93 hot

dogs for visitors and 67 hot dogs for volunteers. Or 6.1 dogs per volunteer. Good job.

Volunteers put professional hot dog eaters to shame. MARMOT MESSENGER 3

MANAGER’S MESSAGE I looked back at our visitation numbers and revenue— both are up well over 100 percent from this time last We need this park year. Our social media figures continue to grow and As I sat down to write word has spread about the accessibility of Staunton State this edition of my Park. Thank you for keeping up and hanging with us. My thoughts for the message last year was to “hang on” and it certainly has newsletter, I came across not changed. my article from February 2016. I read through it Our core volunteer group, the strength of our staff and found it funny that and the constant stream of visitors makes this one of the so much of what I wrote best places to work and play. Thank you for everything last year is the same in you do to make this park known as the gem it is. Hang 2017. in there and I will ensure that as we push forward with developing the park, Staunton will remain an incredible It seems even though gem for generations to come. we had an extremely busy, productive 2016, we are almost back to the same While reflecting on all that is happening here, I opened position this year. The sun is out, the snow is melting Desert Solitaire to search for a fitting Edward Abbey and we are in the calm before the storm...again. In revelation and happened on this observation...”The February last year we were looking forward to the start wilderness should be preserved for political reasons. We up of Phase II construction including the addition of may need it someday, not only as a refuge from new trails, parking lots and the inevitable hope of excessive industrialism, but also as a refuge from breaking ground on the visitors center. authoritarian government, from political oppression.” As we look ahead to 2017, we are moving forward Regardless of how you voted or what your impressions with Phase II, including renewed hope for the visitors are toward government and the processes of this time, center due to significantly lower costs estimate bids, we all need to have a place to escape and seek refuge. If back country walk-in campsites are being built and you find yourself in a rut, get outside and seek that growth of the park is very evident. escape...you will find it in our backyard.

Atop Eagle Cliffs Overlook

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Camping a reality in park this year All Phase II projects to be completed by end of June Park manager Zach Taylor said he is “comfortable” with how the construction of the primitive, back-country camping areas are coming along and expects them to be open to visitors sometime this year. That said, he is not happy with the lack of progress on Phase II construction, noting that the “issues lie in the documents.” An example he gave was that construction documents failed to provide detail on the location of buried electrical wiring located around the Rock Pile parking area and when contractors began to dig, they tore up the wiring causing delays and extra costs to the state. Other problems, such as Another issue causing Taylor consternation was discovery of an abundance of good top soil but construction of the road to the maintenance facility poor base dirt needed for sturdy foundation and ultimately the new parking area. Based on the topography of the area, engineers wanted to cut construction in the area of the maintenance facility through a stand of large trees. also caused delays and extra costs, including having to pour concrete in winter. “We had to tell the surveyors to move the stakes to save the trees,” he said. Although some trees Frustrating issues such as these have put Phase II were saved from destruction, others still had to be behind schedule “because engineers do work on removed because of the topography and added computers in offices off-site and put together cost to re-route. According to Taylor, several day- lighting springs exist just below Staunton cabin and additional culverts and road development had to occur to save a “multitude” of trees. He left no doubt how he felt about the loss of trees. “I was devastated,” he said and added, “In a year the area will look different. The hardest part of what we do is trying to understand what the park will documents based on historical look like five years from now.” construction figures and the delay lies Park sustainability for future in re-design around the ground generations is also an issue that figures,” Zach said. must be considered. In spite of delays, Phase II “The maintenance facility will must still be completed by June support the rest of the park and Boyd House 30, according to GOCO was not sustainable,” he said. “We looked at requirements, although an other areas in the extension is being sought for park (for construction of the visitor construction) but center. This is a separate they were not feasible for budget and not part of Phase II development. CPW is requesting from GOCO an functionality and extension on the funding for this project as bids aesthetic reasons.” will be due March 2. MARMOT MESSENGER 5

Taylor also addressed road construction Maintenance building explaining that regulations require a two-lane road The building has been ordered and will be for emergency access and safety reasons and constructed on-site. another parking lot will be necessary for “financial sustainability.” This lot will be completed in Phase Track Chair building III. The Friends organization has purchased a second Track Chair and the state will pay to have a building erected to store the chairs. The building has been contracted and will be constructed at the south edge of the Rock Pile parking area. The lot must be paved before construction can begin, but should be completed by June 30.

Discussion of how the program will work is in progress, including the production of a manual outlining roles and responsibilities of staff, The following is slated for completion this year: volunteers and the Friends organization, along Camping with questionnaires for volunteers and maintenance check-lists. Three trails are completed to separate camping areas—one site leading from Staunton Ranch trail Media outlets will also be notified when the will have 10 sites; two trails leading from the program begins. Mason Creek access trail, each containing nine Although Phase II has not always gone as sites. planned, the idea is still to enhance Staunton State Each site will contain a 10x24 tent pad with Park for the future, and Zach has a message for additional pad for picnic table. Parking at the Rock everyone: “Hang on, have patience with us as we Pile site will be designated for campsites. Still build the park up to standards and expectations.” ongoing is discussion on how reservations He added, “Volunteers will will be handled and fees have not been be part of this...(you are) the determined yet. strong base that helps keep the park running.” Rock Pile parking site Due to problems with construction, the entrance to this lot has been moved to the south end with extra parking spaces added for a total of 90. The lot will be graded and paved this spring.

MARMOT MESSENGER 6 RAYMOND

Hey wait a minute. When I went to sleep in September, I remember that there were a lot more trees How am I supposed to sleep? What’s all and grass here. that ground shaking and noise outside?

I’ve got a bad feeling about What, a this. They’re building road? a road through our area.

RAYMOND @ MakeMarmotsGreatAgain!

I demand the park build a bigly wall around the Blaine cabin to RAYMOND @ MakeMarmotsGreatAgain! keep out bad hombres who are going to pour into our habitat Build that wall or I’ll see you in court! Kangaroo court. from this road! And make Australia pay for it. Terrible country. Kangaroos - awesome animals. I’ve always loved them. Their kangaroos are fat and ugly. Total losers. Sad! Hey wait, what’s that metal bucket doing? Ahhh!

HISTORY FACTS: Prehistoric ice age marmot teeth from one million to 600,000 years ago have been found in Porcupine Cave in South Park, Colorado. It is indisputable, that at that time, marmots were the dominant and ruling species throughout the entire North American continent. Then, supposedly having something to do with so called climate change, someone built a bridge in Beringia and all these other species just poured into the American continent. Species including Homo sapiens entered unchecked. Bad! Thus began the gradual decline of the marmot as the apex species. What a mess. Sad. MORE FACTS: Carol Phelps and Bonnie Scudder are part of the illicit black market trading in animal parts. Both have shamelessly brought in their ointments (pictured below) made from marmot fat. Yes, this is a real product. Undoubtedly they are capturing park marmots and subjecting them to unwanted Bonnie liposuction. How rude. Please boycott their products and keep our fat marmots safe.

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Volunteer Breakfast Festag and Finley 2016 Volunteers of the Year Susan Festag and Gary Finley were named Volunteers of the Year for 2016. The two, who are members of the initial group of Staunton volunteers, were introduced by 2015 Volunteer of the Year Jack Darnell at the annual volunteer breakfast held in February and received day packs with a CPW insignia. This is the first year of a new tradition which will include awarding one male and one female volunteer. “These two exemplify that special combination of skills: enthusiasm, good humor, dedication and follow-through that we all strive to deliver in our volunteer service, each in our own way,” Darnell said. Both considered the award to be a “great honor” and praised the volunteer team they said they felt lucky to work with “because there is so much talent in this group.” Susan Festag

Susan has been a volunteer from even before Staunton State Park was opened. As Darnell noted, “She is a woman of many talents.” After her retirement, where she worked as a senior administrator for the state's highest court, she decided to make good use of these talents.

Susan is a team leader helping to clean up barbed wire throughout the park, can often be seen working the entrance station, is on the weeding team and is secretary and director of Friends of Staunton State Park. As volunteer and Friends board member, Festag is consistently active for the betterment of the park and is always willing to fill in wherever she is needed.

“When visitor numbers rapidly escalated, taxing the capabilities of park staff, her role was critical to Staunton's success,” Darnell said. She helped “build its reputation for welcoming the public, especially for first-time visitors.” Festag said Staunton is an incredible place. “You could not find a better group of people (to work with) and added she could not be paid enough to do what she does because “it's fun”. Gary Finley Gary, a graduate of the Air Force Academy and retired pilot, was also a member of the first class of volunteers joining after hearing a presentation about the park at an HOA meeting. He has been a versatile member of the team working anywhere there is a need, including the chain saw and trail building teams, weeding, monitoring crews and school field trip chaperon, among other jobs. Last year, he took it upon himself to organize a work crew to chip up and remove several eyesore slash piles along the maintenance road. Finley has “a hard-working style with a positive attitude and a winning smile—a way to keep morale elevated for other team members,” said Darnell in his introduction.

Like Festag, Finley humbly gives credit to other team members, adding “it's fun” (to work with other volunteers). Upon receiving his award, Gary said, “It is a complement to an eclectic group of people we have here.”

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Volunteer Breakfast

All volunteers were honored for their service at Volunteers learned the annual breakfast held at Our Lady of the that a bird in the Pines Church , Aspen Park in February. Food hand is worth two and coffee were donated by local vendors and a in the bush unless drawing was held with prizes for volunteers. ranger Lew catches In addition to Volunteers of the Year, some you with that bird. volunteers were recognized for special service to Then you’re the park. They included: busted. Jack Darnell, Ed Samberg, Ron Lalone, Steve Sparer, Mark and Sandy Fisher, Patty Warnick, Or, if you are on the old hippie weed Randie Boldra, Mike Mladjan, Debby Henken, team, don’t be smoking during a fire Dick Densch, Claudia Gunn, Bill Fox, Keith ban or once again, busted by Lew. Festag, Robert Lewis, Annie Thran, Ted Hammon, Alex Andrews, Elaine Rideout, Nancy Coburn and Dick Prickett. Taylor also announced volunteers would be the first to be allowed to camp at the new primitive campground sites to be opened sometime this summer.

Volunteers stunned to learn at the meeting that a hydrogen bomb was detonated in the park.

You know what happened in 1954 after a 15 – megaton hydrogen bomb was tested off the coast of the South Pacific – Godzilla. So with the hydrogen bomb explosion in the park, you know what’s coming next.

This truly is what makes volunteering all worth it.

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Don, Char and Andy Whetsel: Memories of the Elk Creek Valley Don and Charlotte Whetsel and their children lived on the Davis Ranch for nearly a decade during the 1970s and 1980s when Don worked as foreman on the Davis Ranch. These years resulted in many happy memories for parents and children alike. Don, Char and Andy Whetsel were happy to share some of these memories with Deborah Darnell and others at the GPA at Staunton State Park’s Third Annual Living History Days last September. The Whetsel Family participates in SSP’s Living History Days as one of the Local Historical Organizations. Char volunteers with the Wheat Ridge Historical Society. However, they were the only boys around, so everyone knew who the perpetrators were. The Don and Char were working at a ranch in North boys also enjoyed shooting at targets including the Park where Don served as foreman and Char old truck up near the collapsed mill on the cooked for the ranch crew when one of the Davis Staunton Ranch. twins offered Don the foreman’s job on the Davis Ranch in Pine. The owners of the ranch wanted the The Davis Ranch was just south of the Staunton Whetsels to stay in North Park, mainly because Ranch. The Whetsels knew Frances Staunton. Char was such a wonderful cook, so they offered Frances had told Don, “Don’t let one of your cows them a cow every year if they would stay. They on my ranch.” Later, Don helped Frances when declined and in the mid-1970s, the Whetsel family Park County had redistricted land adjacent to relocated to the Elk Creek Valley where they spent Jefferson County as residential, resulting in eight of the next 10 years working and raising their significant increases in property taxes. Frances children, Christina and Andy. objected to the increased taxes and asked Whetsel to help. With her permission, he took 20 of his On the Davis Ranch was a mysterious stone Angus cows up to the high country on her ranch. house. Don recalled a couple of interesting stories The cows returned to the Davis Ranch, so Don took about this place. As late as the 1970s, the stone them back two more times before they decided to house still had most of its high-pitched wooden stay. The cows liked the rich grass on the ranch and roof on it. There was an old man who liked to stay spent the summer there. When Don retrieved his in it. He lived on Foxton Road, according to Char, cows, they were “butterballs,” fattened up by the but he may have also “squatted” at the stone house. wonderful grass. The county changed the He believed that if he were to be struck by Staunton’s land back to “agricultural,” and Frances lightning he would experience a “high,” so he’d go was grateful. out and hold ski poles over his head during thunderstorms. The last time he tried this, he got Andy remarked that his father had made him a his wish. His body was found with holes in his child-sized shovel so he could help his father work shoes where the lightning had left his body. on irrigation ditches on the Davis Ranch. Andy would stick his shovel down a gopher hole and the Andy was friends gopher would pop up out of another hole. “Lady,” with Mary Coyle a Blue Heeler who accompanied Andy on these Chase’s son, Jerry. He adventures, enjoyed chasing the gophers and also had a couple of killing them. other neighbor friends. The boys enjoyed Char remembered that Andy learned how to playing pranks, drive a tractor when he was four years old. Some believing they would years later on one occasion a Davis family member not get caught. was having trouble backing up his trailer. He asked MARMOT MESSENGER 10

Don to do it, and Don sent Andy, who backed it up perfectly. Embarrassed by the youth, Mr. Davis stated that Andy was not allowed to drive any tractors or trucks on the ranch. Andy spoke about an experience he had shared with his sister, Christina, when they were growing up in the Elk Creek Valley. The Whetsel Family lived in one of the cabins on the Davis Ranch. The two siblings had a habit of pulling out loose eyelashes and putting them on a pillow, then counting to see who had the most. Don and Char had gone out to dinner, leaving the two home One of the unsolved mysteries in The Secrets of Elk alone. (Char mentioned that the couple seldom Creek involved a small wooden structure shaped went out.) While lining up their eyelashes, Andy like a tipi or teepee. This can be found atop a cliff in recalled seeing a strange light coming over the hill the southeast corner of SSP. When asked about this behind the cabin. There was no noise so the light structure, Andy got a funny look on his face and could not have been from a helicopter, which was explained that he and his friends had built this and their first assumption. The light was “heavy, also another one at the other end of the Davis yellow, and penetrating.” The light not only came Ranch. Mystery solved. through the window, but through the wall and ceiling as well. It lasted several seconds. Andy and The Whetsels have a great deal to contribute in Chris concluded they had been visited by a UFO. relation to the history of the Elk Creek Valley and (Ted, any ideas on this?) Staunton State Park. When I first began to research the history of the Staunton family and their ranch Don probably knew every inch of the Davis for Jennifer (Marten) Anderson in 2011, I wrote a Ranch. He would ride his horse checking on his short article for The Mountain Connection. In this cattle, and making sure everything was all right. article, I asked for local residents to contact me if One time, he was riding in the southwest portion of they had information about this history. A the ranch looking for a mare that was ready to give neighbor named Rex Rideout immediately birth. He heard laughing as he rode through the contacted me saying that I needed to talk to Don trees, and soon found a group of nudists enjoying and Char Whetsel. I found the Whetsels to be quite the sunny day. Don was so surprised and knowledgeable and interesting. Their contributions embarrassed that he quickly galloped away, even to our Living History Days have also been very though the group was trespassing on the Davis worthwhile. Don truly is a rancher, with a vast Ranch. store of practical knowledge. Char, in addition to being a great cook, is certainly an historian with an incredible memory who also has much to contribute. Written by Bonnie E. Scudder, SSP Volunteer and author of The Secrets of Elk Creek: Shaffers Crossing, Staunton State Park, and Beyond (2013). This story is based upon Deborah Darnell’s notes of the Living History Days discussion held with the Whetsel family on September 18, 2016. MARMOT MESSENGER 11

Staunton State Park welcomes second track chair with news coverage What started out a couple years ago as ‘Hey, that’s a great idea’ has grown into even greater accessibility for disabled outdoor lovers, as well as quite a bit of fame for SSP thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Friends group. Staunton is the first (and so far only) Colorado State Park to acquire an all-terrain track chair dubbed MARK 1, which arrived in October 2016 to much fanfare by staff and local news. The Friends group delivered a second track chair, MARK 2, to the park on Saturday, January 28, 2017. Channel 9 News featured receipt of MARK 2 on the 5 p.m. news the following Tuesday,

MARK 2 track chair received at SSP January 2017: left to right Wayne Parkinson (volunteer and Friends board president), Ted Hammon (volunteer and project driving force), and Mike Hensick (volunteer, Friends board treasurer and Mark Madsen’s brother in law). Park Manager Zach Taylor shared at the Each MARK track chair sports its own real CO handicap Recognition Breakfast on February 4 that visitation license plate, but don’t look for them on 285. continues a dramatic increase and that “CPW is January 1. (google ‘track chair at Staunton State getting tired of hearing Staunton, Staunton, Park’ for local coverage). The all-terrain MARK 1 Staunton” . . . (fame is tough on the boss, but we and 2 track chairs honor avid hiker and know he is not really complaining.). In addition, outdoorsman Mark Madsen, a quadriplegic whose local businesses such as Starbucks and DW’s 285 family determined to keep his spirit and legacy Diner have noted a “huge” increase in business. alive after his death in 2015. Both chairs were So, what does Confucius say: Fortune follows purchased by the Friends of Staunton State Park as fame – or vice versa? the result of active fundraising, including $20,000 raised at the tremendously successful fundraiser Newly Arrived: Trailer for Track Chairs BBQ held last August. The second annual Mark How do you move a nearly 400 pound track Madsen Memorial fundraiser BBQ will be held chair named MARK 1 or MARK 2 – or both at the this August 12 at the GPA picnic area. Watch for same time? further announcements about this fun (and tasty) event. That will be the job of a very special cargo trailer Because Staunton is the first and only park in the (or “rolling billboard” as the 10 foot long trailer Colorado State Park system to offer such may become known once the graphics are accessibility, word is spreading in local and approved and applied). national news and on social media. Huffington The new trailer was picked up by board Post, Denver Post, Channels 9 and 31 have featured members Wayne Parkinson and Steve Sparer on track chair access. The above photo on the park February 9. It will be parked at the Rock Pile Facebook page reached over 27,000 people within parking lot once paving is completed and should the first three days of posting (and the count is still create a lot of interest in the program – or at least a going up.). lot of curiosity. The track chairs will be housed in a building in the same area, providing a safe and MARMOT MESSENGER 12 private place for wheelchair riders to be This is an important meeting for ongoing transferred to the track chairs. organizational visibility and funding for the SSP Friends group and Staunton State Park. The primary purpose for the trailer is safe transport of the track chairs to other parks and Welcome Friends of SSP New Board Member facilities when not in use at Staunton; the bonus is The Staunton State Park Friends board is pleased the rolling billboard effect that can’t help but raise to welcome Steve Brooks of Brooks Place Tavern awareness of the Staunton State Park Track Chair as its newest member. As business owners, Steve program and the possibility of greater outdoor and his wife Janice have been avid supporters of mobility at other parks and organizations – think SSP and the community. Frequently seen at local Wounded Warrior, Muscular Dystrophy and events, theater and other community activities, others. Steve will be a key member of this board that clearly works to get things done for the park. If you have any doubts about what Friends does, just look at the list of ‘Accomplishments’ under the ‘Who We Are’ page on the Friends web page www.friendsof stauntonstatepark.com. What will friends of state park do next?? Visitor’s center? Campsite goodies? Who knows? Stay tuned . . .

Preliminary graphics for the track chair trailer – pending final CPW approval. This trailer will make it possible for our track chairs to be safely transported and you won’t be able to miss it.

Friends of SSP to Participate in CPW ‘Partners in the Outdoors’ Conference May 2017 is the date of the annual three-day conference that brings together all things CPW – including the leaders who make decisions about policy and funding. To be held in Breckenridge this year, this conference is THE place to learn what is happening at other parks, promote stewardship in our own community and share our local needs (think visitor center.) According to the conference web site:

The Partners in the Outdoors conference brings together an assembly of stakeholders engaged in the future of Colorado's outdoors and recreational opportunities. The conference's purpose is to provide a platform to promote stakeholder initiatives that link a coalition of organizations, agencies, schools and communities together. This year we will explore how to best balance outdoor recreation and sustainable wildlife management in Colorado amidst the statewide demographic and population growth trends.

MARMOT MESSENGER 13

Trekking Staunton trails Some improvements will be made to trails this season. One significant change will include the re-route better than ever of Lions Head trail. Improvements coming in 2017 “About 500 feet at the beginning of the trail is not Most visitors to Staunton State Park come for one sustainable because it is too steep and will wash out,” reason...to hike into the back country of one of the most Taylor noted. The new section will take the trail to the beautiful environments in Colorado. Volunteers don't west and switchback up to join the old section. One have to be told how unusual rock formations, a advantage, besides sustainability, is that the views to cascading waterfall, mountain vistas and chances to see the west and the West Meadow trail will enhance the wildlife are major attractions for those who choose hike. Zach said this new section will be built by Staunton as their hiking destination. volunteers and is already flagged. Hiking in the park this year will be more attractive Volunteers should also note that Chase Meadow trail than ever with new trails to explore, including Bear Paw is closed indefinitely because of construction in that on the eastern edge of the park, Chimney Rock and Elk area. Falls trails in the south central region and the During the course of this year, other trail maintenance spectacular and surprising West Meadow trail taking will most likely be required and volunteers will have trekkers to the far west reaches of Staunton. their share of work to do to keep Staunton trails in good In all, the park currently contains about 28.22 miles of order. trails to delight those who love to hike in the wilderness. But all work and no play is not a good thing. Hiking Another perk is the opportunity to hike out into the the new trails, or anywhere in the park, is a privileged national forest from Staunton on a trail yet to be treat. completed that will join the park with Cub Creek trail. According to Park Manager Zach Taylor, three trails have also been completed that lead to the new tents- only campgrounds in the Dines region. These trails, which can be accessed from the new Rock Pile parking area, lead out from Staunton Ranch trail (one) and also the connector trail to Mason Creek (two trails). Each one leads to a camping area which will be completed and later opened this year. A separate trail to the Cabins District will be built by an all-volunteer crew, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOL) on June 17. Mark your calendars, trail workers, because park volunteers will be part of this project. The trail, which will connect Chase Meadow trail to the cabin district and eventually come out at the new road, will initially be carved out by a “mini excavator” View from West Meadow trail according to Zach. This cutting will make the job of building the trail much easier for the group of volunteers. At this point, trails team leader Gary Sims noted, “I am not sure of how the cabin district trail will be organized or led, or what our crew's role will be.” Dick Densch caught Zach added with a large group of volunteers working carving his initials into a tree along West together, this trail should be completed in one day and Meadow trail ready for Marmot Fest in late June.

MARMOT MESSENGER 14

STAUNTON’S KINDERGARTEN KIDS

MARMOT MESSENGER 15

Ice fishing clinic with students from Legend High School

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From the mailbag (not fake news)

These photos of Illegal tractor fighting in the park sent in by alert readers -Ted and Sally set to square off in the upcoming pay for view battle of the giant battlebots.

If you wish to avoid a costly ticket from Lew, who gave out 6,523.5 tickets this past year, you may leave your small unmarked bills at the entrance station.

MARMOT MESSENGER 17

Getting to Know You They were also thrilled when he decided to further Outdoors a way of life for Bill Fox...and his education. He attended Glenville State College in everyone is thrilled West Virginia and West Virginia University, but spent his summers outdoors. A visit to the western national parks and forests at a “During the summers, I worked as a wilderness young age set in motion a life time of love for the ranger for the US Forest Service in the Boundary outdoors for volunteer Bill Fox. Waters canoe area located in northern Minnesota,” he “In the summer of 1969, three friends and I bought a said, adding, “It was heaven.” His work detail included 1964 Ford van and traveled out west,” he said. paddling in a Grumman canoe, greeting the public, Although his parents were “not thrilled” about the catching walleye and pike and “getting paid for it.” trip, Bill says it was a “defining period” for him because Once again, Fox thrilled his parents and graduated he decided to major in Forest Management and live from college. He was offered a job with the National out west. Park Service and moved to Florida, becoming a ranger at Everglades National Park. “My primary duties were in law enforcement (and) I was also certified to drive an airboat...very cool,” he said. Fox eventually headed west to Redding, California, where he worked as a park ranger at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. After transferring to the US Forest Service, he worked at Klamath National Forest in Happy Camp where duties included recreation, fire suppression and law enforcement. Later, Bill transferred to Siskiyou National Forest in

Fox grew up in the east, Fairfax County, in northern Oregon where his duties were similar with one Virginia near Washington D.C. He is the elder of two exception. “I was responsible for driving a 24 foot jet brothers and a sister. boat up the National Wild and Scenic Rogue River.” “Like any good southern kid, I attended J.E.B. Stuart His job was to enforce regulations protecting the river. High School and graduated in 1970.” he said. “My The Forest Service was parents were thrilled.” “thrilled” that after six months of training and

“hitting most of the rocks on the river,” Fox did not sink the boat. Siskiyou National Forest also holds another special place in Bill's heart. It is where

he met his wife Connie. “She worked for the Forest Service in a neighboring ranger district,” he said. “We actually met on a large wildfire in southern California.” The couple was married in Brookings, Oregon in 1981. Connie still works as a wildfire coordinator for the NFS. MARMOT MESSENGER 18

A transfer to Idaho brought another “defining” moment for Bill. “I was offered an opportunity to attend the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center/Academy in Brunswick, Georgia,” he noted. “I took the offer and never looked back.” Fox became a special agent with the US Forest Service. Although this career step could have led to a position with the FBI, Connie refused to live in a big city and Bill says “it was a good decision.” Connie was thrilled. The couple settled in Missoula, Montana, and eventually in Colorado where Bill retired from his position as special agent in 2006. His love for the outdoors led him to Staunton State Park where Bill became a volunteer in 2014. The park was thrilled. “As a volunteer, I've had the opportunity to work on various teams, which include trails, raptor monitoring, parking and trail hosting.” He says “Ted” projects and “of course the highlight: marmot monitoring” are also part of what he does at Staunton. Along with a lot of other people in his life, Bill is thrilled with the way things have turned out for him. “It's been a long and wonderful journey from J.E.B. Stuart High School in northern Virginia to Staunton State Park in Colorado,” he said. “Looking back at my life, I wouldn't change a thing.”

Wondering why he doesn’t have a beer too

The Real Bill Fox ? Despite what you may have read, pictures don’t lie. The alter ego of Bill Fox is a little sketchy.

with purloined Rolex Biker Bill – leader of the notorious Pilfer Bill - happily helping load park artifacts into his Fox Gang accomplice’s truck Bill “lunch box rustler” Fox

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Volunteer Team Coordinators

Education: Annie Thran – [email protected] Fencing: Susan Festag – [email protected] Wayne Parkinson – [email protected]

Chainsaw: Scott Aaronson – [email protected] Ted Hammon - [email protected] Newsletter: Nancy Coburn – [email protected] Elaine Rideout – [email protected] Small Construction: Ed Samberg – [email protected] Jack Gunn - [email protected]

Trails: Gary Sims – [email protected] Plants: Jack Darnell – [email protected] Deborah Darnell – [email protected] Raptor Monitoring: Richard Prickett – [email protected] Wildlife: Ron LaLone - [email protected] Elaine Rideout – [email protected] Park History: Bonnie Scudder - [email protected] Deborah Darnell – [email protected] Rock Climbing: Kirk Miller – [email protected] Alex Andrews – [email protected] Entrance/Office: Susan Festag – [email protected] Trail Host: Jane Nault – [email protected] Sally Parkinson - [email protected] Wayne Parkinson – [email protected] Weed Warriors: Mark Fisher - [email protected] Patty Warnick - [email protected] Scouts/Eagle Scouts: Randie Boldra - [email protected] Mark Fisher - [email protected] Ron LaLone - [email protected] Gary Finley - [email protected] Geocache: Jack Darnell – [email protected] Newsletter Team: Nancy Coburn Staunton State Park Staff Bonnie Scudder Elaine Rideout Zach Taylor Park Manager Marmot Mascot Designer: Dave Stigall Park Resource Technician Mark Lehman Park Ranger Meagan Webber Special Thanks to Zach Taylor

www.parks.state.co.us