Every Colorado Kid’s Dream Comes True With Uncovered Triceratops Skeleton

Just about every kid who grew up in Colorado dreamed at one time about discovering dinosaur fossils. Last Friday, construction crews working in Thornton uncovered a rare triceratops skeleton and skull.

Construction crews discovered the fossil during excavation for a new public safety facility. Ground breaking on the new Fire and Police Substation at East 132nd Avenue and Quebec Street began on July 31. Crews were moving earth with a skid-steer loader when they encountered an object. Apparently, one of the crew was quick to realize it might be a fossil.

Does this happen often? Not really. According to the Denver Post, this find is one of only three triceratops skulls found along the Front Range.

My heart is racing...As soon as (we) uncovered it and realized this was a horn of a triceratops and not just another leg bone or part of a hip, it made the site really exciting." - Joe Sertich, Denver Museum of Nature and Science curator of dinosaurs via the Denver Post

Okay, so why doesn't this happen more often in Colorado, a state strongly associated with dinosaur finds? According to Sertich, with Denver being covered parking lots and structures, it's uncommon for construction crews to get into the original rock layers.

Can you give this thing a look? No. DMNS scientists have secured the area, making sure the bones are extracted safely. Besides, the site can't be seen from the street. In addition, the city of Thornton is providing security.

Sure, all states have fossils of some kind. Where else besides Colorado will you find a skeleton and skull in such remarkable condition right in the middle of town?