Where to Find Fossils in Colorado: 91 Mapped Sites
Colorado has 91 documented sites where fossils have been reported, and the best-known are 11 mi north of Wellington, 13 mi north of Wellington, and 4 miles west of Rio Blanco. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Fossils Map: Colorado
All 91 fossils sites in Colorado. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fossils Are Found in Colorado
Fossils live in sedimentary rock — limestone, shale, and sandstone. Fresh exposures are everything: roadcuts, creek banks after storms, quarry spoil, and eroding badlands beat weathered outcrop every time.
The richest reported sites in Colorado: 11 mi north of Wellington, 13 mi north of Wellington, 4 miles west of Rio Blanco, AMNH 3325, Wildcat Mound, Baca County tracksite (DMNH).
All Fossils Sites in Colorado
- 11 mi north of Wellington — Other
- 13 mi north of Wellington — Other
- 4 miles west of Rio Blanco — Other
- AMNH 3325, Wildcat Mound — Other
- Baca County tracksite (DMNH) — Other
- Bandimere Speedway tracksite — Other
- Berwind tracksite — Other
- Big Creek Park — Other
- Bijou Creek (USG&GS) — Other
- Boulder tracksite — Other
- Bowling (DMNH Loc. 1738) — Other
- Brew Locality, Hinsdale County — Other
- Callison Quarry #1, FPA — Other
- Chalk Bluffs — Other
- Chatfield Site 1 — Other
- Cherryvale tracksite — Other
- D3922. Pueblo 4 NW — Other
- Deadman Gulch, Golden — Other
- DMNH 1669, Hayden Mine no. 3 — Other
- Dominguez/Jones Quarry — Other
- Dry Mesa Quarry [BYU] — Other
- Eagle County, sec. 16, T2S, R83W — Other
- Eagle County, sec. 1, T2S, R84W — Other
- Eagle County, sec. 5, T2S, R83W — Other
- Eagle County, sec. 6, T2S, R83W — Other
- East Creek tracksite — Other
- Eriksen Stegosaur, FPA — Other
- Fireclay tracksite — Other
- Florissant mammal bed — Other
- Forked Gulch, Green River — Other
- Fountain Formation — Other
- FPA General Site (LACM) — Other
- Garden of the Gods — Other
- Green River (USNM Collection) — Other
- Haystack Cave (Upper Levels 1-3) — Other
- Head of Bear Gulch — Other
- High Pointe Village — Other
- Horsetail Creek — Other
- Howard Quarry — Other
- Hups Quarry, MWC Loc. 197 — Other
- Kings View Quarry, Fruita — Other
- Kirkland Egg site, FPA — Other
- Lesser's brickyard, Boulder — Other
- Little Dry Creek — Other
- Martin Canyon Quarry A — Other
- Masonville locality — Other
- McCoy (Locality 1) — Other
- near Glen Eyrie — Other
- Ninaview tracksite (DMNH) — Other
- Northwest of Ault — Other
Showing 50 of 91 sites — every site appears on the map above.
How to Identify Fossils
Look for biological structure the rock around it lacks: shell curves and growth lines, the spongy honeycomb interior of bone, leaf veins, ribbed corals, or the segmented symmetry of a trilobite. Fossils usually contrast with their matrix in color or density. Bone that has mineralized feels heavier than fresh bone and often shows a polished brown-black surface.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find fossils in Colorado?
Colorado has 91 mapped sites where fossils have been reported. The best-known are 11 mi north of Wellington, 13 mi north of Wellington, and 4 miles west of Rio Blanco. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fossils sites are mapped in Colorado?
We have 91 documented fossils sites in Colorado, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fossils in Colorado?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify fossil?
Look for biological structure the rock around it lacks: shell curves and growth lines, the spongy honeycomb interior of bone, leaf veins, ribbed corals, or the segmented symmetry of a trilobite. Fossils usually contrast with their matrix in color or density. Bone that has mineralized feels heavier than fresh bone and often shows a polished brown-black surface.
What should I bring to collect fossils?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Data: Paleobiology Database — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.