Rocky Mountain National Park wants you to get wild for its centennial

"Wilderness, Wildlife and Wonder." That's the slogan the feds chose to mark the centennial of Rocky Mountain National Park, which was founded in 1915. Personally, we'd have gone with "Crags, Crowds and Crappy Souvenirs" or "Treks, Tics and Traffic," but they didn't ask us. Not for a slogan, at least...

By Patricia Calhoun

June 5, 2012

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"Wilderness, Wildlife and Wonder." That's the slogan the feds chose to mark the centennial of Rocky Mountain National Park, which was founded in 1915. Personally, we'd have gone with "Crags, Crowds and Crappy Souvenirs" or "Treks, Tics and Traffic," but they didn't ask us. Not for a slogan, at least.

But the National Parks Service is asking the public to help create a logo for Rocky Mountain National Park's hundredth anniversary, and will pay the person who submits the winning design $3,000. (Bad news: That design must include the "Wilderness, Wildlife and Wonder" slogan.)

Here's the official announcement, which the NPS released yesterday:

In 2015, Rocky Mountain National Park will celebrate its 100th Anniversary. This anniversary will be promoted and celebrated throughout the park and surrounding communities starting in September of 2014. In order to put celebration plans in motion, a professional logo is needed for educational, promotional, and marketing pieces.

The Rocky Mountain Nature Association and Rocky Mountain National Park are sponsoring a logo contest. The logo should include "Rocky Mountain National Park 1915-2015", as well as the ability to include the 100th Anniversary slogan, Wilderness, Wildlife, and Wonder, under the design. Entries are due by July 11, 2012 and the winner will be awarded $3,000.

Interested applicants over the age of 18 should download an entry form, rules of participation, and creative brief from the official Rocky Mountain National Park website at www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/100th_anniversary.htm Questions regarding entry or rules of participation can be sent to e-mail us

Rocky Mountain National Park 100th Anniversary Mission: Rocky Mountain National Park's 100th Anniversary honors our rich cultural and natural history and celebrates the wilderness, wildlife, and wonder that inspire people to experience, connect with, and protect Rocky Mountain National Park.

Sure, go for that $3,000 -- but first, post your own slogan suggestions. Go wild!

Rocky Mountain National Park has paid a price for its popularity. Read Alan Prendergast's 2004 cover story, "Loved to Death."

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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