History of the Survey Until 1907, Colorado had no state geological survey, but a series of geologists held the position of Territorial Geologist, a part-time unpaid position. The CGS was established by the Legislature in 1907, along with the position of State Geologist who was also the Director of the survey. The first geological survey mysteriously went out of existence sometime during, or after, 1925. The CGS was then re-established in 1967 and continues to provide sound science and service to the citizens of Colorado. Significant Events in the History of the Colorado Geological Survey 1907 – Legislature creates the CGS and appoints the State Geologist to direct it at the University of Colorado, Boulder. 1909 – The CGS publishes first geological map and report. 1925 – The CGS mysteriously goes out of existence after publishing 31 Bulletins on various aspects of the geology and mineral resources (including oil shale) of Colorado. 1967 – The legislature re-creates the CGS within the newly formed Department of Natural Resources. 1969 – The CGS becomes operational. 1987 – The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) becomes part of the Colorado Geological Survey. 1992 – The CGS is placed under the newly formed Division of Minerals and Geology, a regulatory agency. 2005 – The legislature re-establishes the Colorado Geological Survey as a separate Division in the Department of Natural Resources. 2013 – The CGS is transferred to the Colorado School of Mines. Historical articles about the Colorado Geological Survey Concerns about the new survey, 1907 Praise for the new survey, 1909 State and Territorial Geologists 1874 – 1883: J. Alden Smith 1883 – 1885: Ernest Le Neve Foster 1885 – 1887: J. Alden Smith 1887 – 1889: F. G. Bulkley 1889 – 1895: George E. Kedzie 1895 – 1901: Thomas A. Rickard 1901 – 1906: John Wellington Finch 1906 – 1907: B. S. Langridge State Geologists and Directors 1908 – 1926: Russell D. George 1969 – 1993: John W. Rold 1993 – 2003: Vicki J. Cowart 2004 – 2012: Vincent Matthews III 2013 – 2022: Karen Berry 2022 – present: Matthew Morgan
Media Zoom Download Image Share Coryell Mine, 1909. Photo credit: unknown. CGS media archive (historical).
Related Content For a more extensive history of the CGS Rold, J. W., and S. D. Schwochow. IS-27 History of The Colorado Geological Survey (1872-1988). Information Series, IS-27. Denver, CO: Colorado Geological Survey, Department of Natural Resources, 1989.
For a more extensive history of the CGS Rold, J. W., and S. D. Schwochow. IS-27 History of The Colorado Geological Survey (1872-1988). Information Series, IS-27. Denver, CO: Colorado Geological Survey, Department of Natural Resources, 1989.