The Evolution of the D.O.C Stego

Stegosaurs have played an important role in Fremont County since they roamed the landscape during the Late Jurassic some 155-148 million years ago. Three historically significant Stegosaurus stenops have been excavated from Garden Park north of Cañon City since 1885, each furthering science due to its high preservation, articulated bones, and specific pathologies.

More recently, one Stegosaurus circa 1995 has undergone a few transformations of its own, though on a more superficial level.

The Stegosaurus sculpture was the original inspiration of Donna Engard, Jay Hanson and Bob Hubbell. This sculpture is a remarkable achievement completed by inmates at the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC).  DOC employees guiding the effort included Larry Embry (retired warden), John Glusick (vocational sheet metal instructor), Sam Graham (vocational welding instructor), Frank Miller, and Richard Patchen, all instrumental in its construction. The Royal Gorge BLM sponsored an interpretive sign.

Stego gets painted, 1995

Second “Look” circa 2000

The completed Stego was placed on the east side of Cañon City along US Highway 50 by Walmart on land managed by the Chamber of Commerce, where it welcomed visitors to Cañon City for 19 years. Plans to construct a traffic-circle required that the Stego be relocated and the Pueblo Community College – Fremont Campus offered a new home.

Stego Arrives at PCC – Fremont Campus in October 2014; Third “Look”

In October 2014, the Stego was moved to the PCC-Fremont Campus a mile west of Cañon City and placed on the Geology Time Trail at the 150-million-year time period facing, some would say nostalgically, toward her old stomping ground in the Morrison Formation of Garden Park just over the Dakota hogback across from the campus.