A complete overview of the history and natural history of Colorado's most spectacular mountain region.

Origin of landscapes / Rob Blair -- Paleotectonic history / Douglas C. Brew -- Precambrian rocks / Jack A. Ellingson -- Paleozoic history / John A. Campbell -- Mesozoic and early Cenozoic history / Jack Campbell and Doug Brew -- Volcanic rocks / Jack A. Ellingson -- Ore deposits and minerals / Scott Fetchenhier -- Energy resources / T.L. Britt and J.M. Hornbeck -- Weather and climate / Richard A. Keen -- Ecological patterns / Albert W. Spencer and William H. Romme -- Biotic communities of the semiarid foothills and valleys / Lisa Floyd-Hanna, Albert W. Spencer and William H. Romme -- Biotic communities of the cool mountains / David W. Jamieson, William H. Romme and Preston Somers -- Wetlands, riparian habitats, and rivers / Preston Somers and Lisa Floyd-Hanna -- The foragers of the forest / Philip Duke -- The Anasazi : prehistoric farmers / Gary Matlock -- The Spanish / Richard N. Ellis -- The Utes / Richard N. Ellis -- The miners : they builded better than they knew / Duane Smith -- Points of interest along the San Juan Skyway / Rob Blair and Preston Somers -- Points of interest along the Durango-to-Silverton narrow-gauge railroad / Rob Blair -- Points of interest along the Alpine Loop / Barb Byron.