Colorado Soil Survey Program

Soil surveys contain information that may be used for many land  planning and management activities.  Such surveys may contain information useful for predictions of soil  behavior for various land uses.  Surveys highlight soil properties, interpretations, limitations, potential ,and problems that may be related to the soil.

One goal of the NRCS-Colorado soil survey program is to apply the knowledge of soil science to natural resources conservation. This is being accomplished by: 

• Completing soil surveys of all lands within Colorado by 2005. 
• Providing quality soil, GIS and resource information that is readily accessible to users. 
• Increasing the use of soil information in the decision-making processes of land managers. 
• Increasing the application of soil quality improvement principles in order to: 
  • reduce erosion
  • improve water quality, and
  • assist with nutrient management

Colorado soil scientists completed soil surveys on about 425,000 acres in FY-2002.  Mapping occurred on non-Federal, Federal, State-owned, and tribal land.  Approximately 65 million acres have been mapped totaling approximately 98 percent of the state.  Fifty survey areas have published soil surveys. 

Soils maps have been digitized for the following Colorado areas:

Soil Survey Related Information

• NRCS-Colorado Soils Products and Services
• On-line Colorado Soil Surveys
• Soil Classification 
• Soil Taxonomy

email State Soil Scientist
email request for soil survey information  or call 720-544-2850

< Back to NRCS Colorado Soils Page
< Back to NRCS Major Land Resource Area/MLRA Office 6 Web Page
< Back to NRCS Colorado On-line Soil Surveys