Prairie, Peak, and Plateau: A Guide to the Geology of Colorado

A practical, illustrated guide interprets the state's geology by dividing it into three provinces—prairies, peaks, and plateaus—and describing representative landforms and rock units. It traces geologic history from Precambrian through Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras, explaining major formations, fossil occurrences, and landscape-forming processes such as uplift, volcanism, sedimentation, and glaciation. Detailed chapters examine mineral resources and mining districts, fossil localities, groundwater and surface-water systems, construction materials, and environmental geology, supported by maps, cross sections, and fieldsite descriptions. The work is aimed at residents, visitors, and field users seeking an accessible account of how natural processes shaped the terrain and how its resources have been utilized.