IS-27 History of the Colorado Geological Survey (1872-1988)

History of the Colorado Geological Survey (1872-1988). 14 pages. Digital PDF download. IS-27D

Did you know there were seven State geologists before there was a Colorado Geological Survey? Between 1872 and 1907, there were a series of Territorial and then State Geologists. On February 9, 1872, the legislature empowered the Governor to appoint a Territorial Geologist who was to reside in the territory and serve a 2-year term. Because neither salary nor expenses were budgeted, the early Territorial Geologists made their livings essentially by consulting for the mining industry, and their public contributions were severely limited.

Did you also know that the CGS went out of existence between 1927 and 1969? This history provides an explanation of why it disappeared, and is organized in two sections: the First Survey from 1907 to 1927, and the Second Survey from 1969 through 1988 (when this was published).

Geology

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Rold, J. W., and S. D. Schwochow. IS-27 History of The Colorado Geological Survey (1872-1988). Information Series, IS-27. https://doi.org/10.58783/cgs.is27.gvmo2555/. CGS Publications. Denver, CO: Colorado Geological Survey, Department of Natural Resources, 1989. https://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/publications/history-colorado-geological-survey-1872-1988/.