A Brief History of Colorado Through Time (Geology of Colorado)

This 25-minute movie illustrates the geologic evolution of Colorado through time, and premiered at the Opening Ceremony of the AAPG Convention in Denver on 31 May 2015. This version has been modified slightly from the version previously shown.

The movie is one portion of a large outreach project in which scientifically accurate animations are created for outreach presentations.

A longer movie is in preparation that is designed for a more general audience. We will post that version as soon as it is finished.

This video can be downloaded from our website and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.

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Media Credits

Live-action Footage (in order of first appearance)
“Words of Wilderness” by Vital Films
“Close to Home” by Vital Films
“Garden of the Gods” by SkyWolfMedia
“Sandy River Delta and Mt. Tabor Portland OR” by uwtb.JG
“Volcano Passion” by Kedarvideo
“DJI Feats- Eruption at Bardabunga Volcano” by NonsuchMedia
James Adson
Pax Harris

Photos / Illustrations (All images, listed in order of appearance)
Paul Weimer
Patrick Pelster
Bogdanov
Glenn Asakawa/University of Colorado
Vincent Matthews
Jesse Goodier
John Fowler
Jesse Varner
Paul Weimer
André-P. Drapeau P.
Paul Weimer
Dan Chure
Paul Weimer
Footwarrior
James Adson
James Adson
Tobi 87
Alex Proimos
James Adson
Sean Davis
Jesse Varner
Paul Weimer
National Park Service
Fredlyfish4
National Park Service
National Park Service
James Adson
James Adson
James Adson
John Fowler
Carol M. Highsmith
Connor Kurtz
Marble Historical Society Collection
Tobi 87
Tim Engleman
Jesse Varner
James Adson
James Adson
Drake411
Fredlyfish4
Jesse Varner
Jesse Varner
James Adson
K.Lee
Paul Weimer

Music (in order of appearance)
“Choral Strings” by ERH
“Epic Orchestra” by edtijo

All media used in this film was available under Creative Commons licenses, in the public domain, or used with permission of the creator.

[rfdrob]

I received my undergraduate degree in Colorado, and I am currently pursuing my PhD in geology. Your video is very accurate in terms of all accounts of the geologic history of the region. Colorado is the most exceptional area in the United States for learning geology, and I make sure to come back every year to visit all of the fascinating locations available to the geoscientist.

[michaelkenyon]

my friday night: crackin some PBrs wand watching geology videos on youtube.

[dianadambrosio]

I am in gratitude and respect for the people who have made this video. The way it is laid out to show where the cities are all along the time line, the geological movement in respect to now and the million year ticker on the side ... excellent. .. will share this to many. 😊

[TriptoCo]

Best state ever. Love every second, of every day living here. The weather is second to none. If you enjoy the outdoors, nothing compares to Colorado.

[bythefire]

As a Colorado native I absolutely loved this documentary! The topographic views and computer animation were amazing. Thank you so much!!

[braddoomsday]

I can only imagine the amount of work that went into making this all come together. brilliant. I agree with Gondwana " This video sets a new standard for any self-respecting institution when it comes to describing the geological history of any region they wish to study."

[sabbymexxy]

I wish there was a similar video for every state.

[plusibo]

Really freakin' cool to see the timeline of geological history for my home area in such a comprehensive format- Thank you to all involved in this video's creation. Will watch this several times.

[WilliamElaineMiller]

I would like to shake the hand of the people who made this video. Just stunning.

[harrisonvc]

I have lived here my whole life and so has my family dating back 5 generations. I got really emotional during this documentary and I am so happy you did such a stellar job in making it, the respect and care you put into this production is without flaw. I had no idea about 99% of what was told in this program and it really showed me how I cant take for granted the epic history lying under my feet that supports my life and the lives of everything I love. thank you so so much.

[amacuro]

I have no words to describe this breath-taking, stuningly beautiful video. From the tectonic history of the area to the level of detail in the graphics and the voice over. This video sets a new standard for any self-respecting institution when it comes to describing the geological history of any region they wish to study.
This must be the first time I get genuinely emotional watching this kind of documentary. Thank you so much for the upload and my utmost respect, admiration and gratitude for the people involved in the creation of this video (including the past and present generations of geoscientists that gathered the data that made this possible).

[TJBurr]

This is amazing. It really illustrates how dynamic the Earth's surface is. I bet the vast majority of people had no idea that the land of Colorado was once south of the equator. I didn't know that the area was mostly flat "only" 18 million years ago. I had always assumed that the mountains were revealed and generally shaped 60 million years ago when the rock formed and uplifted. Colorado's climate started warming 20, 000 years ago at the peak of the most recent glacial period. I enjoy hiking and climbing all around the state. I'm always looking at the rock and amazing geomorphology of the landscape.

[chrismoody]

This the finest geographic history of Colorado ever !!! I’ve vacationed and explored Colorado for nearly 50 yrs. I’ve been to nearly every National Park. As a Kansan this my get away state for recreation; skiing, hiking and just plain sight seeing. Oh and I want to thank Colorado for all the dirt provided.

[gruffly]

I wish this was a series, covering several parts around the world. So good!

[jmonty]

Probably one of the best geology videos I have ever watched!

[garyknight]

Absolutely superb video. Can't wait to return to Colorado. This time with a wife and two children to share it with. Thank you.

[rogeredrinn]

Great timeline! I'll have to watch this many times to internalize the geologic history. Well researched, well written, well narrated. Thanks

[Wanna.Wander]

I LOVE this! So fascinating about the geology and also the facts about the areas... very good!❤️

[ranolf]

Every aspect of this presentation is a class act! I lived in Colorado for ten years and I learned much more from this presentation than I did when I lived there. Thank you, keep up your good work.

[kayrosis]

Being a colorado Native, I knew part of it had once been submerged by an inland sea, but that it was an island, an equatorial rainforest, deserts, sea floor, had glaciers and been underwater almost as long as it's been above water, that's amazing! Just to hear the phrase "Colorado's East Coast" is mind boggling... I wonder what other places have had so many different geological ups and downs and have turned out so beautiful for us to witness today.