Colorado contains abundant renewable and nonrenewable energy resources. The state presently generates electricity from a combination of coal, natural gas, and, increasingly, renewable sources.
Colorado has diverse geologic structures, rocks, soil types, topography, and climatic conditions that combine to create a range of dynamic natural processes.
Colorado contains an abundance of mineral resources. The state has a long history of mining that started during the 1858 Colorado Gold Rush (also known as the Pikes Peak Gold Rush) before the area was established as a territory.
Colorado’s water resources supply water not only to the state itself, but also to many surrounding states.
From the low-lying eastern plains, to the central peaks soaring more than 14,000 feet above sea level, to the western red-rock canyons: the colorful landscape of Colorado embodies some of the most varied, spectacular, and well-displayed geology in the nation.
Explore our collection of over nine hundred publications — most available for free download! Dive into topics ranging from energy, mineral, and water resources to geologic hazards, and discover the rich, diverse geology of Colorado.
Find out more about the Colorado Geological Survey, including our mission, history, and current staff members.
Colorado has diverse geologic structures, rocks, soil types, topography, and climatic conditions that combine to create a range of dynamic natural processes. Where people choose to build communities and live determines whether these ongoing processes become threats in the form of geologic hazards including avalanches, floods, landslides, debris flows, earthquakes, and swelling soils. Over the years these hazards have cost citizens across the state billions of dollars in damages.
The CGS conducts scientific studies of the state’s geologic hazards, monitoring areas susceptible to geologic hazards and disasters and producing maps and guides as to where hazards may be encountered and how people might reduce their personal exposure. Importantly, the CGS studies both the natural occurrence of these hazards as well as how human activity sometimes unknowingly trigger them. The award-winning CGS publication “Collapsible Soils in Colorado” is an important resource that helps the public understand and mitigate a common geologic hazard that is often exacerbated by human activities. As directed by state statute, our staff of geo-engineering experts review geologic reports for certain new development in unincorporated areas of the state, as well as all new school or critical facilities construction, to determine whether they are at risk from geologic hazards. We also provide post-disaster and emergency-response assessments to affected areas and communities, helping to identify areas at risk of further damage.