- As you enter Estes Park from the east, see the huge bronze sculpture of Samson the Elk
- Samson was a popular town mascot
- New laws have now gone into effect to protect wildlife from poachers
- Visit Estes Park and see how elk actually make up a quarter of the population
Overview
Samson Elk, a town mascot of Estes Park, was a thousand-pound bull elk that was slain by a poacher in November 1995. In memory of this beloved elk, the mountain community built a statue dedicated to him and also for promoting the action of sharing our planet with the animals living here.
Location
The Samson Elk Statue stands at the intersection of US Highway 36 and Colorado Highway 7 at the east entrance to Estes Park.
More Info
As a result of national media and concern for what happened to Samson, new laws went into effect. A conviction of aggravated possession of wildlife when it is big game can add up to a $10,000 penalty. It has become known as “Samson’s Law.”
Today elk make up a quarter of Estes Park’s population. They walk into homes and buildings, are found in swimming pools, have calves in resident’s backyards and driveways. Elk are everywhere in Estes Park so it should be no surprise that residents began to recognize certain elk, gave them names and anticipated their return every year. These neighborhood elk are sometimes referred to as the town bums. So when Samson was poached years ago, it sparked peoples emotions not only within Estes Park, but nationwide. Poaching laws were quickly given greater attention and elk given more respect. Come see the effects Samson had on the small community of Estes Park.
