Ute Valley Park
Copyright © 2010. Paleotrails Project; the fossils and geology of Colorado Springs.No material may be reproduced in part or in whole without written consent from holders.
Ute Valley Regional Park is in the northwest end of Colorado Springs. Here the stratigraphy changes greatly from Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Canyon Open Space. This is the Laramie Formation. The strata change from vertical to sub-horizontal within the park boundaries in contrast to the vertical layers just south. The Laramie Formation is somewhat analogous to the Dakota Sandstone; the Dakota Sandstone records an approaching seaway, while the Laramie Formation records the receding seaway. Coal deposits and sandstone are prevalent. The leaf fossils below were found in an ironstone layer.
Fossil palm leaves indicate a much warmer, more humid climate.
Undetermined leaves.
Fossil wood impression with modern leaves.
Fascinating geology- fractures filled with a more resistant mineral than the surrounding sandstone.
