What if?

What If?

NPS

Geoheritage Hightlight!

Consider the values that our society places on development in contrast to the values for preserving the pristine landscape and the record of Earth's past. This valley was once slated for housing development but instead its irreplaceable geologic values became protected as Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. This protection has led to sustainable economic benefits for the local community, and an opportunity for visitors, students, and you to appreciate this landscape and experience the heritage of Earth's past.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument safeguards a buried treasure: one of the world's richest fossil deposits. This 6,000 acre open space that comprises the Monument belongs to all of us—and to future generations, this is one of the main purposes of the National Park system. But what if instead of a public resource, it was a private resort? This was a strong possibility in 1969 before a dedicated group of people succeeded in stopping developers and preserving this landscape as a national monument.