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The Goosenecks on the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado, April 2019. Photo credit: ©2019 hopkins/neoscenes, used by permission.

Colorado Geological Survey

Geoscience for Colorado

The Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) is a state government agency situated within the Colorado School of Mines. We provide a wide range of science-driven services—this website being one—bringing the best of Colorado geoscience to the public.

Our Mission

To help reduce the impact of geologic hazards on the citizens of Colorado; to promote responsible economic development of mineral and energy resources; to provide geologic insight into water resources; and to proffer sound geologic advice and information to a variety of constituencies.

More about the CGS

Stock groundwater well, Lost Creek Basin, Weld and Adams County, Colorado, August 2009. Photo credit: Colorado Geological Survey

ON-010 Colorado Groundwater Atlas

Groundwater—as a critical natural resource for Colorado—is the focus of this informative and data-rich online publication from the CGS. Building on our previous award-winning Ground Water Atlas of Colorado, it features a wide range of easily accessible data from a variety of sources.

ON-010
Aggregate stock at the north end of the San Luis Valley, Colorado, May @2009 hopkins/neoscenes

ON-007-01 Colorado Aggregate Resources Map

This interactive map includes the digital versions of our sand, gravel, and quarry aggregate publications for most of the Front Range counties, Garfield County, and includes a statewide map of older quarry locations. Locations and resource ratings of these deposits are included to assist with land use planning and resource development in the Front Range and beyond.

ON-007-01

Quick Links

Aerial mapping tools, Paonia Quadrangle, Colorado, August, 2013. Photo credit: Dave Noe for the CGS.

Map Portal

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SP-52 Messages in Stone cover

Publications

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MI-97 LiDAR-Based Map of the Cheraw Fault Scarp. Graphic credit: Colorado Geological Survey

GIS Data

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The Goosenecks on the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado, April ©2018 hopkins/neoscenes

Colorado Geology

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Constellation Drive landslide, Colorado Springs, Colorado, August 2015. Photo credit: T.C.Wait for the CGS

Land Use Review

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ON-001 Colorado Earthquake and Fault Map

Earthquakes

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Who we are and what we do …

About the CGS
The K–Pg (Cretaceous-Paleogene) boundary exposure at Longs Canyon in Trinidad Lake State Park, Colorado, shows an abrupt change from dark- to light-colored rock, October ©2019 hopkins/neoscenes.

Points of Geologic Interest

Given the spectacular geology that graces our state, we are happy to report that our new POGI map is now live! Check it out and let us know if you have any questions or additions!

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West Salt Creek rock avalanche viewed from the air, May 2014. Photo credit: Jon White for the CGS.

Case in point ::

Landslide Case Study

2015 West Salt Creek

On May 25, 2014 the longest landslide in Colorado’s historical record occurred in west-central Colorado, taking the lives of three local men.

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A precarious rock above Manitou Springs started to move in 1995 after a period of wet weather. As an emergency measure, high-strength steel cables were wrapped around the rock and anchored to the surrounding ledge to arrest the movement. Photo credit Jon White for the CGS.

Case in point ::

Rockfall Case Study

Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs occupies a narrow valley where Fountain Creek emerges from the foothills northeast of Pikes Peak and west of Colorado Springs. The valley slopes are composed of interbedded resistant sandstone and conglomerates (i.e., gravelly sandstone), and weaker mudstones and shale.

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Dramatic landslide headscarp threatens this structure on Constellation Drive in Skyway, Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 2017. Photo credit: Jon Lovekin, PG for the CGS.

Case in point ::

Land Use Case Study

Landslides in Colorado Springs

The city of Colorado Springs lies at the boundary between the Great Plains and the Front Range of the southern Rocky Mountains. Western sections of the city are underlain by weak claystones and shales that are prone to landslides.

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Latest Reports & Featured Topics

Exploring the seismic history of Colorado ::

MI-100 Summary Report on the McQueary Gulch Trench, Williams Fork Mountains Fault, Grand County, Colorado

Tracking the mineral resources of Colorado ::

IS-82 Colorado Mineral and Energy Industry Activities 2018-2019: Graphs and maps of current and historic oil, gas, and other commodity production statistics.
Rafting and kayaking through flood boulders in The Numbers Rapids, Upper Arkansas River, Colorado, August 2010. Photo credit: Keenan Lee.

Newest Miscellaneous Investigation (MI-) Series

MI-98 Catastrophic Glacial Outburst Floods on the Upper Arkansas River, Colorado

This publication from Mines Geology Professor Emeritus Keenan Lee is an in-depth exploration that illustrates one facet of the dramatic sweep of Colorado’s glacial past. With their high altitude, the central Rockies of Colorado saw numerous waves of intense glaciation, giving broad form to the mountains we see today. In particular, the Sawatch Range, with its Collegiate Peaks area to the west of the Upper Arkansas River valley was the site of glaciation several times in the last 700,000 years. Glacial terrains often feature dramatic ice- and land-forms. Lesser known are the occasional catastrophic events — also known as jökulhlaups — as are detailed in this report.

MI-98

Check out the >RockTalk< blog for the latest news on the CGS and Colorado geoscience ::

Contact Us:

Colorado Geological Survey
Street and Mailing Address:
1801 Moly Road
Golden, Colorado  80401

telephone :: [+1] 303-384-2655

email :: cgs_pubs@mines.edu

  • Use this form to ask us … anything!