History

During the late 1600s, Spanish conquistadors entered New Mexico and enslaved numerous Native Americans. Many of the Indians were able to escape and fled to southern Colorado. In 1778, a battle was initiated between the Spanish troops and the Comanche Indians. After seven battles, which occurred only 20 miles north of Lathrop State Park, the Comanche Indians were defeated and the chief of the tribe was killed at the base of Greenhorn Mountain along the Greenhorn creek. Both the mountain and the creek were named after the chief.

Lathrop State Park was introduced as Colorado’s first state park in 1962 and was named after Harold W. Lathrop, who was the first director of the state parks and recreation board from 1957-1961. The park covers 1,451 acres of recreational enjoyment with two lakes, Martin Lake (180 acres) and Horseshoe Lake (150 acres), which offer a variety of boating and angling opportunities. Visitors can also take advantage of the fantastic southern Spanish Peaks in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range while playing a round of golf, or hiking along prairie trails.

Harold W. Lathrop served as Colorado’s first state parks director and was instrumental in establishing Colorado’s state park system. His vision and leadership helped create the foundation for Colorado’s extensive network of state parks that continues to serve visitors today.