Hazel Schmoll

Dr. Hazel Schmoll
Botanist
1890 - 1990
Inducted 1985

As our State Botanist from 1919 to 1935, Hazel identified more than 10,000 plants in places such as Mesa Verde National Park and the Chimney Rock area near Pagosa Springs.

A sea of wildflowers surrounded young Hazel Schmoll when she rode her pony Dimple in the mountains around Ward, Colorado. Inspired by plants, she grew up to be the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Chicago, and a pioneer ecologist.
A milkvetch plant variety was named for her – the now endangered astragalus schmolliae. Hazel was instrumental in passing the “Columbine Bill” in 1925, which made it illegal to pick our state flower, the blue columbine.

“People need some places where they can get away from the crowds and be refreshed by nature.” — Dr. Hazel Schmoll