Rock Layers, Denver Formation (Cretaceous)



		D1 Synorogenic Strata: This layer is composed of approximately 1,500 feet of alternating layers of sandstone from ancient river channels and mudstone from ancient flood plains. These layers were deposited during the early part of the uplift of the Front Range by rivers similar to the modern Platte River in northeastern Colorado. D1 Synorogenic Strata are coarse-grained along the Front Range and become fine-grained and coal-like to the east. These sediments were deposited in the Cretaceous Period and Paleocene Epoch (68-56 m.y.a). Typical fossils include petrified wood, leaves, dinosaur bones, and mammal teeth. Denver Formation (Cretaceous): A sedimentary unit rich in volcanic debris typified by exposures on South Table Mountain west of Denver. Our terminology considers the Denver Formation to be part of the D1 Synorogenic Strata. Typical fossils include palm leaves and dinosaur bones. The Colorado Rockies mascot, Dinger the Dinosaur, was named because home plate at Coors Field is located in the dinosaur-bearing portion of the Denver Formation.

Click On Layers
	A) Early Paleocene lava flows cap the Paleocene and Cretaceous Synorogenic Strata at Golden, Colorado. B) Fossil leaf. C) Triceratops skull. D) Outcrop near Colorado Springs. E) Dinger, the Rockies mascot. F) This Prehistoric Journey diorama shows a scene from the age of the Denver Formation.