Contact an Archaeologist
Preservation of the pass involves your help and efforts: contact an archaeologist to share any discoveries and don’t pocket the past.
Preserve Rollins Pass facilitates straightforward access to area experts—including the ability to contact an archaeologist, as there are many interested parties who have a vested interest in preserving the heritage of Rollins Pass in Colorado. Should any historic or prehistoric item be found on or very near the pass, please leave the item in place (don’t pocket the past) and fill out the form below or contact us by emailing [email protected], and your message will be forwarded to area experts, including professional archaeologist, Dr. Jason LaBelle.
Archaeology provides the “why” to the story that is so important to understanding, enriching, and unlocking the mysteries of the past. Whereas much is known about the railroad, there is still much to be learned from the abandoned can dumps, wrecks, and other historic debris that did not make it into newspaper articles, books, company records, or photographs. As for the Native American record on Rollins Pass, that simply cannot be known through any other means but archaeology. Learn more about Preserve Rollins Pass and our Leave No Trace guidance that encourages the responsible tourist to take care of the pass and its rich history for the next generation.
As the saying goes, “take only photographs, leave only footprints.” Each artifact has important scientific and cultural value and theft harms the historical record of accomplishments made on this beloved pass. Please preserve the area for future generations and share discoveries with those researchers dedicated to telling the story of this important place.
Please—do not collect, take, or sell anything that you find on or near the pass. All artifacts—from the prehistoric to the historic—are objects of antiquity and are protected by many cultural laws. The pass contains countless treasures, which are being studied and documented by universities and government agencies.
Rollins Pass is considered a sacred area for both the Nuuchu (Ute) and the Nookhose’iinenno (Arapaho) tribes.
Thank you for your interest in Rollins Pass! While there are no dinosaur bones or fossils in this area, we welcome any questions about its rich history and preservation. We ask that you avoid misusing this resource, as it hinders our ability to process valid and actionable requests efficiently. We appreciate your understanding and enthusiasm.
THE FOREWORD TO OUR FIRST BOOK ON ROLLINS PASS BY JASON M. LABELLE, PHD
The historian Marshall Sprague once wrote of the “Great Gates” guarding the rugged Rocky Mountains and their importance to history. These gates were passes—serving to funnel humans and animals across the mountains and conveniently from one drainage to the next. Rollins Pass of the Colorado Front Range certainly deserves company among the list of Great Gates defining the history of the American West.
In this well-illustrated and researched work, Travis and Kate Wright lead the reader through the history of Rollins Pass—from ancient Native American hunting sites spanning the last several thousand years, to the building of the first roads across the divide in the 1870s, and then later to the construction of the near-mythic Moffat Road in the early 20th century and subsequent use by both railroad workers and train tourists. Today, Rollins Pass is a popular spot for fishing and hiking as well as enjoying nature and history. The many images in this book, and the stories behind them, document just a fraction of the ways humans have used this special place.
I would like to ask the reader a big favor: love and cherish this place as do the Wrights. Explore and enjoy the many lakes and trails within the Indian Peaks and James Peak Wilderness Areas but travel lightly. Think about the immense time humans have used this fragile place, and learn to appreciate how you can visit and contemplate this history. Glimpses of the past can be seen in the artifacts and ruins of structures left scattered across the pass. Enjoy them for what they are, as ways for you to reflect on the past and to also think about your personal present. If you find artifacts, please leave them where they are, taking only photographs to document their presence and sharing this information with interested archaeologists, historians, and land managers. Together, we can piece together new chapters regarding this most magnificent of places and assure that future generations can also visit and appreciate the things that have made Rollins Pass a “Great Gate” for many millennia.
—Jason M. LaBelle, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology Director
Center for Mountain and Plains Archaeology, Colorado State University
President, Colorado Council of Professional Archaeologists (2017–2018)
Past President, Colorado Archaeological Society
PRESERVATION PARAMETERS: ROLLINS PASS (CORONA PASS) AREA FOCUS
Please note that we can only assist with matters related to the immediate Rollins Pass area in Colorado. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide support or expertise for issues or discoveries outside this specific region. For inquiries outside of the Rollins Pass area, we kindly ask you to reach out to local authorities or relevant organizations in the specific location, as our resources are focused on preserving the heritage of Rollins Pass. Additionally, we cannot assist with artifacts that have been removed from their original context. The location and surrounding environment of an artifact are crucial for proper archaeological study and preservation. When artifacts are taken from their original site, valuable information is lost, making it challenging to accurately understand their historical significance. Our mission and resources are dedicated solely to the preservation and protection of Rollins Pass and its historical significance. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in ensuring that our efforts remain concentrated on this unique and important site.
CONTACT AN ARCHAEOLOGIST FORM
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The primary purpose of our work is to inform the public.
