Three years after Gov. Jared Polis christened Fishers Peak State Park near Trinidad as Colorado’s 42nd state park, he celebrated the debut of a trail to the 9,600-foot summit of its namesake mountain by hiking to the top. There he presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony with a dramatic view of the Spanish Peaks in the distance.

“It’s a bit of a hike, but to those who are adventuresome, nothing beats it,” Polis said that day in 2023. “One of the greatest state parks in the state of Colorado.”

Polis regards the addition of Fishers Peak State Park in 2020 as a signature event in his legacy as governor. But that strenuous hike wasn’t just a photo op. It also reflected his personal love for the outdoors and the priority his administration places on outdoor recreation.

As he approaches his fi

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