Rod Tarullo, CPRE, has been the Director of Parks, Recreation and Golf for the City of Golden, Colorado since 2004. Tarullo has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in Recreation Administration. He is a graduate of the National Institute of Golf Management, and has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Recreation Facilities Design and Management School. He served several years on the Executive Board of the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association and as their President in 2013-14. He also served as a National Gold Medal judge from 2011-2015. He has been a Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies site visitor and chair since 2009.
Tarullo was previously employed by the City of Loveland, Colorado; Green River, Wyoming; and was the Director of Parks and Recreation in Lafayette, Colorado from 1985 to 2004. His responsibilities have included oversight of recreation, parks, campgrounds, open space, trails, golf, libraries, museums, theaters, cemeteries, senior citizens programs and facilities maintenance. He has been the chief project manager for many capital projects including the construction of recreation centers, golf facilities, preservation of historic structures and the development of parks and trails. He served as the Interim City Administrator of Lafayette in 1998.
During Tarullo’s tenure, Lafayette Parks and Recreation was a finalist for the National Gold Medal award three times and the Grand award winner in 2002. Under his leadership, Golden Parks and Recreation became the first municipality in Colorado to become CAPRA accredited. Golden was also a Gold Medal finalist twice and Grand award winner in 2010.
Rod has provided consultation to several municipalities and agencies involving parks and recreation topics and issues. He has also presented at several local, regional, and national training conferences.
Rod previously served six years as a Colorado representative to the NRPA Midwest Regional Council. He has been recognized as the Outstanding Young Professional by the Wyoming Recreation and Parks Association, and received the prestigious Fellow Award from the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association in 2011. [Current as of 1/2017]