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Statutory Framework

Mining town

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.

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.

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

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