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.
At the Colorado Geological Survey, we are continuously working towards meeting the recommendations outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1, levels A and AA (WCAG 2.1 AA). These guidelines not only help make web content accessible to users with sensory, cognitive, and mobility disabilities but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability.
Phone: 303-384-2673E-mail: askcgs@coloradogeologicalsurvey.org
We are committed to responding to any accessibility issues that may not be aligned with the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, and we welcome your feedback about the accessibility of online services provided by the Colorado Geological Survey. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers or would like to request assistance.
The Colorado Geological Survey is committed to providing equitable access to our services to all Coloradans.
Our efforts are just part of a meaningful change in making all State of Colorado services inclusive and accessible. We welcome comments on how to improve our technology’s accessibility for users with disabilities and for requests for accommodations to any of our services.
This Accessibility Statement was last updated on: 9/18/2025.