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<br />Geologic mapping and detailed studies of
<br />eanh materials provide valuable data to aid
<br />the planning of urban developments. as well as
<br />major construction projects. Current studies
<br />include work in the Denver and Pueblo areas,
<br />at the Air Force Academy, the Roberts and
<br />Stntight Creek tunnels, the Black Canyon of the
<br />Gunnison River, and the Upper Green River
<br />Valley .
<br />. Other geologic studies to obtain fundamental
<br />;; daU.l are underway along the eastern front of the
<br />~ Rocky Mountains in the vicinities of Golden,
<br />~ Kassler, Littleton, Platte Canyon, Morrison,
<br />~: and Ralston Buttes; in the San Juan Mountains,
<br />~. the Ute Mountains, Cameron Mountain, Mount
<br />~ Princeton, and North Park. A synthesis is being
<br />f; made of much detailed geologic mapping in the
<br />r! Colorado Plateau in recent years to better under-
<br />r~ stand and summarize the regional geology.
<br />!; Stratigraphic and paleontologic studies through-
<br />~.. oui: the State support all of these studies.
<br />it Geophysical studies are in progress in several
<br />1,".;.' areas. These include long seismic refraction
<br />c profiles across the southern Rocky Mountains
<br />~ and along the I-ligh Plains, gravity studies across
<br />f the southern Rocky Mountains, and of the
<br />,t Colorado Plateau and Upper San Juan trough,
<br />l' and aeromagnetic and aeroradioactivity studies
<br />r; in the vicinity of Rocky Flats.
<br />1: Geochemical investigations underway in the
<br />" State include studies of minor elements in igneous
<br />Si rocks, rock alteration and enviromnents associ-
<br />~';
<br />, ated with ore deposition, saline minerals asso-
<br />r cia):ed with eVaporites, rare-earth minerals,
<br />f uranium and vanadium minerals, and the forma-
<br />l
<br />r. tion and redistribution of uranium deposits.
<br />i Some of the work discussed above is supported
<br />r in part by funds made available through the
<br />Colorado Metal Mining Fund Board. Informa-
<br />tio:! on other geologic work in progress in
<br />Colorado may be obtained from that agency and
<br />the Colorado Department of Natural Resources
<br />in Denver.
<br />
<br />T:ViJographic Mapping
<br />
<br />The State of Colorado contains some of the
<br />first areas to be mapped by the Geological
<br />Suc'yey, shortly after the Survey's formation in
<br />1879. Even in those early years the importance
<br />of Colorado's mineral resources and natural
<br />
<br />wonders led men of vision to carry out topo-
<br />graphic surveys for geologic exploration and
<br />future development. By 1890 these early
<br />surveys, carried out at the 1:125,000 scale (l inch
<br />equals about 2 miles), covered over 17 percent of
<br />the State. These maps served their purpose in
<br />the early development of Colorado but are now
<br />only useful for the roughest reconnaissance work.
<br />Aided by a vigorous State cooperative pro-
<br />gram an expanded mapping program has been
<br />carried out in recent years to compl~te the map-
<br />ping of the State to 1 :24,OOO-scale standards by
<br />photogrammetric methods. This detailed map-
<br />ping will aid in geological and mineral investi-
<br />gations, in studies for water development and
<br />flood control projects, in developing modern
<br />highways, in locating potential industrial sites,
<br />in planning wildlife conservation and developing
<br />new recreation areas.
<br />
<br />Mineral Resource Supervision and Classification
<br />
<br />The Geological Survey exercises supervisory
<br />control over mining activities concerned with
<br />prospecting and production of minerals under
<br />permits and leases on public, Indian, and ac-
<br />quired lands. For land classification purposes,
<br />geologic mapping is underway on the coal de-
<br />posits in four or five areas in the central and
<br />western parts of the State. The quadrangle
<br />maps resulting from this mapping constitute
<br />additions to the Geologic map of the United
<br />States.
<br />The Survey supervises operations for the dis-
<br />covery, development, and production of oil and
<br />gas from leases on Federal and Indian lands in
<br />Colorado. It promotes exploration and re-
<br />covery of oil and gas by the most economical
<br />means with due regard to conservation, elimina-
<br />tion of waste, protection of other mineral de-
<br />posits, and protection of the interests of the
<br />United States or of the Indian lessors.
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<br />Information on the various geologic and
<br />topographic maps, mineral resources maps,
<br />water resources reports, and other geological
<br />survey publications relating to Colorado
<br />can be obtained by writing the Director,
<br />Geological Survey, Department of the Interior,
<br />Washington 25, D.C.
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