When one speaks of Colorado, the images that come to mind are skiing, snow and ice-capped mountains. After all, much of Colorado?s physical and cultural history has been tied to the Rocky Mountains. So it?s a pleasant surprise to know that this state harbors another wealth ? fossils.

A trip to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument west of Pikes Peak, where a historic gold rush once occurred, will reveal treasures buried for millions of years. The sprawling grassy hills contain petrified stumps of sequoias ? giant trees up to 100 meters high ? and other smaller fossils such as ancient insects, plants, fish and small mammals. These fossils date up to 35 million years old. A visitor center is located at the park where guests can learn more about the history and significance of these ancient treasures.