DENVER—Carolyn Armstrong, Park Manager at Cherry Creek State Park and the first female ranger in the Colorado State Parks system, will retire in May after 35 years of service.

Armstrong began her career with Colorado State Parks as a seasonal employee while still in college. In April 1974, she was hired as a ranger at Cherry Creek State Park, becoming the first female state park ranger in Colorado. A year later, Armstrong was promoted to Barr Lake State Park, becoming Colorado’s youngest and first female park manager. By 1981 Armstrong was back at Cherry Creek State Park, holding the highest field position within state parks and leading Colorado’s first and busiest state park. Over 1 million people visit Cherry Creek State Park annually.

She holds numerous state awards including Outstanding Park Manager and Individual and Team High Achievement Awards. Her most noted short-duty assignment was serving as lead ranger for World Youth Day in 1993 for the two-day pilgrimage and mass celebration at Cherry Creek State Park. Armstrong’s outstanding performance for this task earned her a 1993 Governor’s Productivity Award.

A member of Colorado Park and Recreation Association since 1973, Armstrong has held numerous elected offices including president of the CPRA Foundation in 1997 and president of the statewide organization in 1998. In 1979, Armstrong was named CPRA Outstanding New Professional for the State of Colorado and in 1991 received CPRA’s highest and most prestigious award, the Fellow Award, honoring park and recreation professionals who have demonstrated impeccable moral standards, outstanding leadership and contributions to Colorado Park and Recreation Association. She has also held national offices with the National Recreation and Parks Association.

Armstrong, her husband and their four children reside in Englewood. The family frequently exceeds over a 1000 hours per year in volunteer work, and Armstrong has been awarded a lifetime volunteer contribution award from the Englewood School District. She has served on the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission since 1988 and volunteers for the Englewood Education Foundation.