There are 16 National Natural Landmarks in Colorado, one of which extends into Wyoming. They cover areas of geological, biological and historical importance, and include lakes, mountains, rock formations and numerous fossil sites. The landmarks are located in 14 of the state's 64 counties. Four counties each contain all or part of two NNLs, while two landmarks are split between two counties. The first two designations, Slumgullion Earthflow and Summit Lake, were made in 1965, while the most recent designation, Sulphur Cave and Spring, was made in 2021.[1][2][3] Natural Landmarks in Colorado range from 60 to 380,000 acres (24.3 to 153,780.5 ha; 0.1 to 593.8 sq mi) in size. Owners include private individuals and several municipal, state and federal agencies.[4]
The National Natural Landmarks Program is administered by the National Park Service, a branch of the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service determines which properties meet NNL criteria and, after notifying the owners, makes nomination recommendations. The Secretary of the Interior reviews nominations and, based on a set of predetermined criteria, makes a decision on NNL designation or a determination of eligibility for designation. Both public and privately owned properties can be designated as NNLs. Owners may object to the nomination of the property as a NNL.[5] This designation provides indirect, partial protection of the historic integrity of the properties via tax incentives, grants, monitoring of threats, and other means.[6]
The site showcases the lithologic character of sedimentary rocks, as well as providing a habitat for North American honey ants and excellent viewing opportunities for several bird species.[8]
Located in Pike National Forest, with extensive rock formations, including gorges, ridges and spires, and stream channels that meander between above- and under-ground.
Site of major paleontological importance, unique for fossil footprints of reptiles, birds, and mammals. The site was expanded in 2011 to include the 19-acre (7.69 ha; 0.03 sq mi) Parfet Prehistoric Preserve in the city of Golden.[12]
Protected by a thick lava cap, Raton Mesa has resisted the extensive erosion and weathering that has affected surrounding areas, providing an extreme contrast in geography.
Site showcases typical Colorado Front Range sedimentary strata, as well as erosion of Fountain Formationsandstone in unusual patterns, extensive fossil remains and unusual plant populations.
Colorado's largest remaining bulrush marsh, now rare in the southern Rocky Mountains. Provides habitat for extensive flora and fauna, especially waterfowl.
Shared with Wyoming, the site is one of North America's most impressive occurrences of cross-beddedsandstone and "topple blocks". Also a site of paleontological and biological significance.
A major example of the geologic process of mass wasting, a large flow of volcanic rock traveled from mountainside to valley to form Lake San Cristobal. The same process is occurring again, slowly covering the existing flow. Located on Bureau of Land Management land.
Located in San Isabel National Forest, the site is an exceptional illustration of over 500 igneousdikes, many exposed, formed when molten igneous rock is forced into a fault before hardening.
At almost 13,000 feet (4,000 m), the site contains an excellent example of alpine tundra in the contiguous US. Some of the plants that survive in this microclimate are usually found only in the Arctic Circle.
"National Registry of Natural Landmarks" (PDF). National Park Service. June 2009. pp. Introduction, 15–17. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
Specific
^"National Registry of Natural Landmarks" (PDF). National Park Service. June 2009. pp. Introduction, 15–17. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
^ ab"Interior Secretary Jewell Designates New National Natural Landmark" (PDF). National Park Service. November 17, 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
^"High Plateaus, Smelly Caverns, and Coastal Dunes, Meet the Nation's Newest Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
^"Colorado". National Park Service. June 28, 2012. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
^(PDF). Federal Register. May 12, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
^"Frequently Asked Questions". National Park Service. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
^"Big Spring Creek". National Park Service. June 28, 2012. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
^"Garden of the Gods". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
^"Spring 2013 Buds Two New NNLs and Expands an Existing Site". National Park Service. June 10, 2013. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
^"Hanging Lake". National Park Service. June 28, 2012. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
list, national, natural, landmarks, colorado, this, list, national, natural, landmarks, state, colorado, united, states, america, with, state, colorado, highlighted, there, national, natural, landmarks, colorado, which, extends, into, wyoming, they, cover, are. This is a list of National Natural Landmarks in the U S state of Colorado A map of the United States of America with the State of Colorado highlighted There are 16 National Natural Landmarks in Colorado one of which extends into Wyoming They cover areas of geological biological and historical importance and include lakes mountains rock formations and numerous fossil sites The landmarks are located in 14 of the state s 64 counties Four counties each contain all or part of two NNLs while two landmarks are split between two counties The first two designations Slumgullion Earthflow and Summit Lake were made in 1965 while the most recent designation Sulphur Cave and Spring was made in 2021 1 2 3 Natural Landmarks in Colorado range from 60 to 380 000 acres 24 3 to 153 780 5 ha 0 1 to 593 8 sq mi in size Owners include private individuals and several municipal state and federal agencies 4 The National Natural Landmarks Program is administered by the National Park Service a branch of the Department of the Interior The National Park Service determines which properties meet NNL criteria and after notifying the owners makes nomination recommendations The Secretary of the Interior reviews nominations and based on a set of predetermined criteria makes a decision on NNL designation or a determination of eligibility for designation Both public and privately owned properties can be designated as NNLs Owners may object to the nomination of the property as a NNL 5 This designation provides indirect partial protection of the historic integrity of the properties via tax incentives grants monitoring of threats and other means 6 Contents 1 National Natural Landmarks 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksNational Natural Landmarks editMap all coordinates using OpenStreetMap Download coordinates as KML GPX all coordinates GPX primary coordinates GPX secondary coordinates nbsp nbsp Big Spring Creek nbsp Garden Park Fossil Area nbsp Garden of the Gods nbsp Hanging Lake nbsp Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site nbsp Lost Creek Scenic Area nbsp Morrison Golden Fossil Areas nbsp Raton Mesa nbsp Roxborough Park nbsp Russell Lakes nbsp Sand Creek nbsp Slumgullion Earthflow nbsp Spanish Peaks nbsp Sulphur Cave and Spring nbsp Summit Lake nbsp West Bijou Siteclass notpageimage Colorado National Natural Landmarks clickable map Name Image Year Location County Ownership Description 1 Big Spring Creek nbsp 2012 37 46 00 N 105 37 30 W 37 7666667 N 105 6250000 W 37 7666667 105 6250000 Big Spring Creek Saguache Federal Unique spring fed creek fed by an unconfined aquifer creating a rare animal and plant supporting wetlands in a generally arid area Part of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve 7 2 Garden of the Gods nbsp 1971 38 52 04 N 104 53 28 W 38 8677690 N 104 8910877 W 38 8677690 104 8910877 Garden of the Gods El Paso Municipal The site showcases the lithologic character of sedimentary rocks as well as providing a habitat for North American honey ants and excellent viewing opportunities for several bird species 8 3 Garden Park Fossil Area nbsp 1973 38 32 06 N 105 13 18 W 38 5349959 N 105 2216545 W 38 5349959 105 2216545 Garden Park Fossil Area Fremont Federal Internationally recognized paleontological site renowned for finds of dinosaur fish crocodile turtle and mammal fossils Located on Bureau of Land Management land 9 4 Hanging Lake nbsp 2011 39 36 05 N 107 11 30 W 39 6013883 N 107 1917138 W 39 6013883 107 1917138 Hanging Lake Garfield Federal Travertine deposition formed lake with substantial hanging garden plant life and minimal human alteration unique in the region A part of White River National Forest 10 5 Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site nbsp 1979 38 22 03 N 105 29 07 W 38 3674977 N 105 4852759 W 38 3674977 105 4852759 Indian Springs Trace Fossil Fremont Private Best North American location for animal trace fossils from the Ordovician period 11 6 Lost Creek Scenic Area nbsp 1966 39 16 07 N 105 28 05 W 39 268611 N 105 468056 W 39 268611 105 468056 Lost Creek Scenic Area Park Jefferson Federal Located in Pike National Forest with extensive rock formations including gorges ridges and spires and stream channels that meander between above and under ground 7 Morrison Golden Fossil Areas nbsp 1973 39 40 52 N 105 11 33 W 39 68100 N 105 19238 W 39 68100 105 19238 Morrison Golden Fossil Areas Jefferson County private Site of major paleontological importance unique for fossil footprints of reptiles birds and mammals The site was expanded in 2011 to include the 19 acre 7 69 ha 0 03 sq mi Parfet Prehistoric Preserve in the city of Golden 12 8 Raton Mesa nbsp 1967 37 05 52 N 104 27 46 W 37 0978686 N 104 4627319 W 37 0978686 104 4627319 Fishers Peak Las Animas State private Protected by a thick lava cap Raton Mesa has resisted the extensive erosion and weathering that has affected surrounding areas providing an extreme contrast in geography 9 Roxborough State Park nbsp 1980 39 25 45 N 105 04 06 E 39 42907 N 105 06841 E 39 42907 105 06841 Roxborough Park Douglas State Site showcases typical Colorado Front Range sedimentary strata as well as erosion of Fountain Formation sandstone in unusual patterns extensive fossil remains and unusual plant populations 10 Russell Lakes nbsp 1975 37 56 41 N 106 07 12 W 37 9448092 N 106 1199637 W 37 9448092 106 1199637 Russell Lakes Saguache Federal private Colorado s largest remaining bulrush marsh now rare in the southern Rocky Mountains Provides habitat for extensive flora and fauna especially waterfowl 11 Sand Creek nbsp 1984 40 59 45 N 105 46 05 W 40 9957404 N 105 7681064 W 40 9957404 105 7681064 Chimney Rock Larimer Federal state private Shared with Wyoming the site is one of North America s most impressive occurrences of cross bedded sandstone and topple blocks Also a site of paleontological and biological significance 12 Slumgullion Earthflow nbsp 1965 37 59 55 N 107 14 42 W 37 9986086 N 107 2450542 W 37 9986086 107 2450542 Slumgullion Earthflow Hinsdale Federal private A major example of the geologic process of mass wasting a large flow of volcanic rock traveled from mountainside to valley to form Lake San Cristobal The same process is occurring again slowly covering the existing flow Located on Bureau of Land Management land 13 Spanish Peaks nbsp 1976 37 22 32 N 104 59 37 W 37 3756661 N 104 9936861 W 37 3756661 104 9936861 West Spanish Peak Huerfano Las Animas Federal private Located in San Isabel National Forest the site is an exceptional illustration of over 500 igneous dikes many exposed formed when molten igneous rock is forced into a fault before hardening 14 Sulphur Cave and Spring 2021 40 29 01 N 106 50 24 W 40 4836973 N 106 8401306 W 40 4836973 106 8401306 Sulphur Cave and Spring Routt Municipal Located in the Howelsen Hill Ski Area of Steamboat Springs the site is a superb example of bacterially mediated sulfuric acid speleogenesis The cave contains many uncommon cave features such as biovermiculations and snottites 15 Summit Lake nbsp 1965 39 35 54 N 105 38 40 W 39 5983532 N 105 6443243 W 39 5983532 105 6443243 Summit Lake Clear Creek Municipal At almost 13 000 feet 4 000 m the site contains an excellent example of alpine tundra in the contiguous US Some of the plants that survive in this microclimate are usually found only in the Arctic Circle 16 West Bijou Site nbsp 2016 39 40 52 N 104 44 09 W 39 68100 N 104 73588 W 39 68100 104 73588 West Bijou Site Arapahoe Private Part of the Plains Conservation Center the site contains fossil and mineral evidence detailing the Cretaceous Paleogene boundary the Earth s most recent mass extinction event 2 See also edit nbsp Environment portal nbsp Geography portal nbsp History portal nbsp United States portal nbsp Colorado portal List of protected areas of Colorado Bibliography of Colorado Geography of Colorado History of Colorado Index of Colorado related articles List of Colorado related lists Outline of ColoradoReferences editGeneral National Registry of Natural Landmarks PDF National Park Service June 2009 pp Introduction 15 17 Retrieved 2014 01 06 Specific National Registry of Natural Landmarks PDF National Park Service June 2009 pp Introduction 15 17 Retrieved 2013 08 02 a b Interior Secretary Jewell Designates New National Natural Landmark PDF National Park Service November 17 2016 Retrieved 2016 11 17 High Plateaus Smelly Caverns and Coastal Dunes Meet the Nation s Newest Natural Landmarks U S National Park Service www nps gov Retrieved 2021 04 19 Colorado National Park Service June 28 2012 Retrieved 2014 01 06 36 CFR Part 62 National Natural Landmarks Program Final Rule PDF Federal Register May 12 1999 Archived from the original PDF on 2013 02 17 Retrieved 2013 08 02 Frequently Asked Questions National Park Service Retrieved 2013 08 02 Big Spring Creek National Park Service June 28 2012 Retrieved 2014 01 06 Garden of the Gods www nps gov Retrieved 2017 10 02 Spring 2013 Buds Two New NNLs and Expands an Existing Site National Park Service June 10 2013 Retrieved 2014 01 06 Hanging Lake National Park Service June 28 2012 Retrieved 2014 01 06 Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site www nps gov Retrieved 2017 10 02 Secretary Salazar Designates New National Natural Landmarks National Park Service June 15 2011 Retrieved 2014 01 07 External links editColorado at Wikipedia s sister projects nbsp Media from Commons nbsp News from Wikinews nbsp Quotations from Wikiquote nbsp Travel information from Wikivoyage Colorado state government website Colorado Department of Natural Resources website Colorado Geological Survey website United States federal government website United States Department of the Interior website National Park Service website National Natural Landmarks Program 38 59 50 N 105 32 52 W 38 9972 N 105 5478 W 38 9972 105 5478 State of Colorado Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title List of national natural landmarks in Colorado amp oldid 1157813093, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
