Fossils Discovered at Colorado National Monument

This three-toed dinosaur track was discovered by an employee in late September 2010 at Colorado National Monument. It is left to be determined whether the track was left by a plant or meat-eating dinosaur.
This three-toed dinosaur track was discovered by an employee in late September 2010 at Colorado National Monument. It is left to be determined whether the track was left by a plant or meat-eating dinosaur.

NPS Photo

Dinosaur Track

 
Michelle Wheatley, former Chief of Interpretation at Colorado National Monument, displays the three-toed dinosaur track during the unveiling on October 13, 2010.
Michelle Wheatley, former Chief of Interpretation at Colorado National Monument, displays the three-toed dinosaur track during the unveiling on October 13, 2010.

Fossil Unveiling

 
Photo of an Othnielia skeleton, now known as Othnielosaurus.
It is possible the track was left by a plant-eating dinosaur similar to Othnielia, pictured above.

Sally Bellacqua

Othnielia

 
This sandstone slab from the Morrison Formation contains several sets of turtle tracks. Paleontologists estimate that the tracks are 150 million years old.
This sandstone slab from the Morrison Formation contains several sets of turtle tracks. Paleontologists estimate that the tracks are 150 million years old. The tracks were discovered in 2005, and were recently recovered after breaking off a small cliff band.

Sally Bellacqua

Ancient Turtle Tracks

 
Dr. John Foster, a paleontologist from Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita, CO, found these lizard tracks on a piece of sandstone from the Morrison Formation in Colorado NM. This trackway is the first of its kind in the Morrison Formation.
On a recent outing in Colorado National Monument Dr. John Foster, a paleontologist from Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita, CO, found these lizard tracks on a piece of sandstone from the Morrison Formation. This trackway is the first of its kind in the Morrison Formation.

NPS photo

Latest Fossil Finding

Last updated: April 15, 2020

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