Subject: Geology of Colorado
Contents
Geology of Colorado: Overview
Colorado has a diverse geology to match its topography. The state can be divided roughly into the High Plains and Piedmont to the east, the Rocky Mountains, the plateaus of the Western Slope, and the volcanic deposits of the San Juans, Elk Mountains and White River Plateau. Formation ages range from Precambrian granites exposed in the mountains to Quaternary deposits resulting from glaciation and stream erosion.
Gold was discovered near the present site of Denver in 1859, precipitating a gold rush to the territory. Later discoveries of gold, silver, other minerals, and fuels (coal, oil, gas, and uranium) helped build much of Colorado as a state.
Help: Finding Information on Colorado Geology
For information on Colorado geology, use geographic keywords such as
colorado specific counties
colorado plateau specific quadrangles
rocky mountains geologic or geographic features (mineral belts, basins, mining districts, etc.)
Search Tips:
  • Library catalog searching:
    • Use the keyword "geology."
    • Consider broadening your search concepts within Colorado geology--library catalogs typically don't index materials in great subject detail. A search for "front range" or "gilpin county" may get more results than a specific search for "ralston dike" or "buffalo peaks."
  • Geology databases:
    • Don't use the keyword "geology"; almost everything in the database refers to geology.
    • You can (and should be) much more specific with keywords. Search for "ralston dike" rather than "igneous rocks."
  • Field guides to regional and Colorado geology provide good overviews
  • See Geology for more tips on searching geologic information in general.
Library Resources
Bibliography:

Chronic, Halka. 1980. Roadside geology of Colorado. Missoula, MT: Mountain Press.

Costa, John E., Bilodeau, Sally W. 1982. Geology of Denver, Colorado, United States of America: a report of geologic influences on the location, development and future of the Denver metropolitan area. Denver CO.

Foutz, Dell R. 1994. Geology of Colorado Illustrated. Grand Junction CO.

Geology of the Colorado Plateau: Grand Junction to Denver, Colorado, June 30-July 7, 1989. Field trip guidebook T130, 28th International Geological Congress. Washington DC: AGU.

George, Russell D. 1927. Geology and natural resources of Colorado. Boulder CO: University of Colorado

Holden, Gregory S. 1988. Geological Society of America field trip guidebook, 1988: Centennial meeting, Denver, Colorado. Golden, CO: Colorado School of Mines.

Kent, Harry C., Porter, Karen W. 1980. Colorado geology. Denver CO: Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists.

Lakes, Arthur. 1893. Geology of Colorado and western ore deposits. Denver CO: Chain & Hardy Co.

Also...

Geologic maps of Colorado quadrangles and mining districts.

Publications of the Colorado Geological Survey and US Geological Survey.
Recommended for Additional Research:

The CSM Library Home Page includes links to:

  • Catalyst (CSM Web catalog)--For materials owned by the CSM Library, including books, maps, CSM theses and dissertations, conference proceedings and professional society publications.
  • Prospector (Colorado's Unified Catalog): Includes the geology collections of Univ. of Colorado-Boulder and Colorado State University.
  • Databases & E-Pubs. We subscribe to over 200 databases, including GeoRef, Water Resources Abstracts, and Petroleum Abstracts. We have thousands of e-publications in the geosciences, including publications from GSA, AGI, AGU, AAPG and others.
  • Help