About our Organization

How are you funded?

The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge is a 501c3 non-profit organization.  We receive funding through program fees, gift shop sales, and grants from organizations such as the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).  As the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge are not owned and operated by a local, state, or federal agency, we do not automatically receive funding collected from taxes.

If the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge is a "non-profit", how can they charge for programs and sell things in their Visitor Center?

A non-profit organization differs from a for-profit organization in how they use the funds that they collect.  In general, a non-profit organization must apply their earnings back to support their mission or purpose.  The income generated by our gift shop, tour revenues, and other sources of income are applied back to interpreting the area's natural resources and preserving those resources for future generations.  For more information on the definition and rules binding non-profit organizations, please click here to go to the Internal Revenue Service's non-profit resource page.

Are there any opportunities for employment with the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge?

At this time, we do not have any opportunities for paid-employment.  However, if you are looking for experience, we are always in need of volunteers and interns.  Please click here for information on our volunteer program.  If you are looking for employment with a non-profit organization, we suggest you look at the Colorado Association of Non-Profit Organizations (CANPO) Job Announcement page at www.canpo.org.

Who "owns" Dinosaur Ridge?

Land ownership within the Rooney Valley (the land around C-470 between Green Mountain and Bandimere Speedway) is somewhat complicated.

The short answer to this question is - Jefferson County.

The long answer is - The section of the "Dakota Hogback" known as Dinosaur Ridge is owned by Jefferson County Open Space.  East of the intersection with N. Rooney Rd, West Alameda Parkway (the road that traverses Dinosaur Ridge) is owned and maintained by the City of Lakewood.  West of the N. Rooney Rd intersection, West Alameda Pkwy is owned by Jefferson County, but is maintained by the City of Lakewood.  The property where the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center sits is owned by Jefferson County Open Space, who leases the land to the Town of Morrison, who sublets the land to the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge.

The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge operate under an Inter-governmental Agreement with Jefferson County Open Space, the Town of Morrison, and the City of Lakewood.

Is Dinosaur Ridge related to the Morrison Natural History Museum?

In 1989, the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge was formed as an outdoor extension of the Morrison Natural History Museum.  In 19?? the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge and the Morrison Natural History Museum became separate entities.  Today, the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge offer programs on Dinosaur Ridge.

Are the interpretive signs at Exit #259 off of I-70 part of Dinosaur Ridge?

Just off of I-70 at Exit #259, there are a series of parking lots with dinosaur names.  The signs interpreting the geology of the I-70 roadcut were installed just off of the 'Brontosaurus lot" by the Colorado Scientific Society in 19??.  The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge are not involved with this location.  To learn more about the I-70 roadcut, please click here.

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Education/Programs

For FAQs on the features on Dinosaur Ridge, please click here.

Do I need to make reservations to bring a group to Dinosaur Ridge?

Family groups do not need to make reservations to explore Dinosaur Ridge on their own.  We advise that all groups of 15 or more people contact the staff at the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center to inform them of your intent to visit.  We recommend this even if you're not planning to do a guided program.  By calling in advance, we can let you know if your group will encounter other scheduled groups, programs, construction, or other events that may interfere with your plans.  If you'd like a guided program, you must make prior reservations.  We recommend calling at least two weeks in advance, and during the spring and fall months, we recommend calling four weeks in advance.  Guided Programs are only available if you have received a notice of confirmation from the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge

How much do your programs cost?

The cost for our programs vary depending on which program it is and the type of group arranging the program.  In general, Academic School groups often qualify for discounts on programs.  Please click here to see a current price table for our education programs.

Do you offer financial assistance for your programs?

We offer financial assistance for most of our programs.  Funds are available for academic groups to help offset admission fees and transportation expenses related to guided tours of Dinosaur Ridge.  In addition, some of our programs such as the Summer Science Day Camp often have scholarships available.  To find out if your group qualifies for financial assistance, please contact us at (303) 697-3466 or e-mail tours@dinoridge.org.

Why is the road over Dinosaur Ridge closed?  How can I find out when the road will be closed?

We occasionally close West Alameda Parkway over Dinosaur Ridge for Public Programs, such as Dinosaur Discovery Days, for large school group tours, or for construction.  To find out when the road over the Ridge will be closed, please check our on-line Event Calendar, or watch for road closure notices (orange sign) which are posted near the base of both the east and west side of Dinosaur Ridge.  To find out how to get to popular destinations when the road over Dinosaur Ridge is closed, please click here.  

From May to October, the road over Dinosaur Ridge is typically closed one Saturday per month (usually the first Saturday) for our Dinosaur Discovery Day Program.  The program takes place from 10:00am-2:30pm, but due to the time required for set-up and take-down, and to ensure the safety of program participants, the road may often be closed for up to one hour before the program and up to one hour after the program ends.

If you would like to request that the road to be closed during your visit to Dinosaur Ridge, your group size must be 150 people or more, we require at least 60 days notice, and additional fees may be applied to your visit.  Permission to temporarily close West Alameda Parkway is granted by Jefferson County Planning & Zoning, so we cannot guarantee permission to close the road until we get the "go-ahead" from them.

Individuals who disregard road closure notices and circumvent the road closure barricades endanger other people's lives as well as their own.  Violators will be reported to the Colorado State Patrol.

How should I arrange for a guided tour of Dinosaur Ridge?

What programs do you offer?

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Visiting Dinosaur Ridge

Where are you located?

We are located near the town of Morrison, Colorado on teh western edge of the Denver Metro area.  Our mailing address is 16831 W. Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465.  Our neighbors are Bandimere Speedway to the south and Red Rocks Amphitheatre to the west.  We are just west of C-470 off of West Alameda Parkway.  If you'd like instructions on how to get to Dinosaur Ridge, please try the "Maps & Directions" section of this website.

How much does it cost to visit?

There is no charge for admission to the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center or the interpretive trail along West Alameda Parkway.  Educational programs and guided tours may have associated costs, please check the information for the particular program that you're interested in.  Donations are gratefully accepted.

Do I need to RSVP?

If you are bringing a small group to the Ridge, such as your family, you do not need to RSVP.  If you are bringing a larger group (10+ people) for a self-guided exploration of the Ridge, we advise you to call ahead to find out what else may be going on the day you plan to visit - we often have large tours that you may want to avoid or activities that you may be interested in participating in.  

We request that self-guided tour groups (such as a classroom, scout troop, or homeschool group) call in advance to let us know you're are coming, plus provide us with the number of participants you plan to bring.

RSVPs are required of all guided tour groups.  RSVPs are usually not required for other programs, but please read the information for that program completely as special instructions may apply.

What should I bring for my trip to Dinosaur Ridge?

Bring appropriate outdoor clothing for Colorado's changing weather and comfortable walking shoes.  In the warmer months, bring sunscreen and plenty of water as there is little shade on Dinosaur Ridge.  Bring a camera and binoculars if you'd like some great views of the Denver area and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Is there a place to eat at Dinosaur Ridge or in the nearby area?

The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center has soda, water, and snacks available for purchase.  There are several picnic tables and benches throughout the Visitor Center property that are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The town of Morrison (5 minutes south of Dinosaur Ridge) has several sit-down restaurants.  The city of Lakewood (10 minutes east of Dinosaur Ridge) has a full-variety of sit-down and take-out restaurants.  The city of Golden (15 minutes north has a full variety of sit-down and take-out restaurants.

Please refer to our "Links" page in the "Resources" area of this website for restaurant listings from the nearby Chambers of Commerce.

I only have a limited time, what do you recommend that I do while I'm there?

Stop by the Visitor Center at the base of the east side of Dinosaur Ridge.  There, you'll find information about where to park and what to do.  While all of the interpretive stops along Dinosaur Ridge are interesting, most people find the Dinosaur Tracks on the east side of the Ridge and the Dinosaur Bone Quarry on the west side of the Ridge the most interesting stops.

Is Dinosaur Ridge open year-round?

Yes.  The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.  The interpretive trail along West Alameda Parkway is open from sunrise to sunset.  During the winter, snow may obscure or completely cover the outdoor attractions along the Ridge, but the snow typically melts away 1-2 days after a snowstorm.

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