What’s the Story Behind Colorado’s Dirty Woman Creek Park?

Colorado is filled with towns, landmarks, and various other locations with what some may consider to be odd names. There is a town called, 'No Name,' a park known as 'Jackass Hill,' and even a creek named after a woman that was historically known to be "dirty."

Read More: True Meanings of 19 Colorado Town Names Translated to English |

Where is Colorado's Dirty Woman Creek Park?

Yes, there is a creek and a park in Colorado that are both named after a woman that was known for, above anything else, being dirty.

You can find Dirty Woman Creek and Dirty Woman Creek Park at 17575 Mitchell Road in Monument Colorado and while many visit the area to enjoy any number of its amenities, the story behind how the landmarks got their names is, by far, the most notable thing about them.

How Did Colorado's Dirty Woman Creek Park Get Its Name?

The story behind the park's name dates back to the early days of Colorado, specifically a few years before even receiving statehood. The story goes back to 1861, when soldiers would walk along the creek and learn about a woman with questionable hygiene living with farm animals inside her home nearby.

Get our free mobile app

This woman's dirty lifestyle, living in close quarters with chickens, pigs, goats, cats, and dogs, inspired the name 'Dirty Woman Gulch.'

However, the 'Dirty Woman' moniker wouldn't become official until July of 1979 when residents of Monument were given the task of choosing a name for the newly-built park alongside the creek.

The town voted on 'Dirty Woman Creek Park,' and the name has been official ever since.