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This series of paintings, titled “Ancient Colorado,” can be found at Colorado Convention Center. These evocative landscapes, which are based on geological and fossil evidence, show what Colorado has looked like over the last 300 million years. Artist Jan Vriesen and Denver Museum of Nature & Science paleontologist Kirk Johnson collaborated to produce these scenes from Colorado’s distant past.

Wherever you are in Colorado, layers of rock—known as formations—that represent ancient environments lie beneath your feet. You can see the science behind these scenes by visiting Colorado parks, monuments and open spaces.

Want to take a closer look at the art? Visit the Colorado Convention Center, or check out our website: www.denverpublicart.org/public-arts/ancient-colorado-series/.

Ancient Colorado – Match the Artwork to the Title
Learn More About the Environment Featured in the Artworks