Florissant Fossil Beds NM

Redwoods in Colorado! Over 30 million years ago, Redwoods (Sequoia Affinis) were present some 35 miles east of present day Colorado Springs at a place called Florissant Fossil Beds.

The trees were covered up to 15 feet in mud from lahars from the slopes from Volcanic eruptions. The stumps eventually became petrified. Some of these stumps survive today, despite visitors taking pieces for souvenirs.

This area has also yielded more than fossil 50,000 museum specimens, which includes over 1500 separate insects and 150 plants.
Petrified Redwood Stump
Close up showing broken saw blade from souvenir hunter