A large petrified forest thought to date to the Paleocene at around 55 million years old is located on and around the grounds of Cherokee Ranch in Douglas County, Colorado. These Denver Basin fossils include plants similar to the modern laurel tree family. At least 40 large petrified logs have been discovered on the Cherokee Ranch property; the castle on the ranch site includes more than 4,000 pieces of petrified wood in its construction.
A piece of petrified wood in situ, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Douglas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 357,978. The county is named in honor of U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas. The county seat is Castle Rock.
One of two county buildings for Douglas County in Castle Rock
Second Douglas County office building in Castle Rock
Douglas County Events Center and Fairgrounds in Castle Rock
The "rock castle" of Castle Rock, Colorado