Friends of Dinosaur Ridge formed in 1989 when a group of local scientists and citizens saw that vandals were chipping out dinosaur fossils from the Cretaceous sandstone near the town of Morrison, Colorado. These poachers were threatening to destroy what is now recognized by paleontologists as the #1 dinosaur tracksite in America!
Our mission to protect the fossils was soon joined by a second mission of educating visitors about the natural history and incredible trove of fossil treasures on both sides of the hogback now known as Dinosaur Ridge. Today natural erosion is the biggest threat to exposed footprints and bone fossils, and we are working on solutions.
Our small staff and volunteer pool are committed to preserving the site's geo-history and offering world-class programs that inspire wonder and curiosity for visitors of all ages.
We offer Child Care Tax Credit if you donate specifically for one of our education programs. To learn more contact kristen.kidd@dinoridge.org.
Dinosaur Ridge educates visitors about the evolving story of Dinosaur Ridge while advancing scientific research and fossil protection.
Step back in time and embark on a prehistoric journey like no other at Dinosaur Ridge! Our story begins with a remarkable discovery—the world's first Stegosaurus, now the state fossil of Colorado. That iconic Jurassic herbivore was unearthed right here in 1876. And that was just the beginning; Dinosaur Ridge was home to multiple dinosaur species including the duckbill Eolambia, the fearsome Allosaurus, the ostrich-like ornithomimid, and the majestic Apatosaurus, not to mention other ancient creatures like crocodiles, turtles, and horseshoe crabs!
The history of Dinosaur Ridge is also characterized by passionate humans. Friends of Dinosaur Ridge (FODR) was founded in 1989 by ten dedicated local scientists and enthusiasts who shared a fascination with the fossils and a strong desire to protect them. Fast forward to today, and our capacity has grown serve more than 200,000 annual visitors from around the world.
Our journey towards preservation and education continues to thrive. In 1973, the hogback now called Dinosaur Ridge was recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the Department of the Interior. In 1994, FODR set up in a historic house and barn on the Rooney Ranch, a 1.4-acre property acquired by Jefferson County Parks & Open Space to become our Main Visitor Center.
In 2004, the incredible Triceratops Trail at the Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden was opened for the public to explore, and in 2011 it was added to the Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas NNL. This fossil-rich site features tracks from a tyrannosaur, Triceratops, mammals, birds, insects, and large palm frond impressions, all of which tell the story of a more tropical climate during the Late Cretaceous.
The year 2013 brought a momentous addition when FODR purchased a building on the west side of Dinosaur Ridge now known as the Martin G. Lockley Discovery Center. We set our sights on attracting some of the millions of visitors drawn to the captivating Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.
You too can protect this prehistoric gem for generations to come. Dinosaur Ridge is not just a place; it's an outdoor museum showcasing our planet's incredible history, brought to life by a passionate community determined to share its awe-inspiring story with everyone. Now we just need you!
Organization name
Friends of Dinosaur Ridge
other names
DR, Dinosaur Ridge
1989
Tax id (EIN)
84-1146279
Category
Education, Environment, Science & Technology, Arts, Culture & Humanities, Youth Development
Organization Size
Large Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Child Care Credit
Address
16831 W. Alameda PkwyOther
Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Center 17681 W Alameda ParkwayJefferson County, CO, US