High Altitude Energy: A History of Fossil Fuels in Colorado (Mining the American West)

Co-Winner of the 2004 Colorado Endowment for the Humanities Publication Prize

High Altitude Energy: A History of Fossil Fuel in Colorado is a timely, articulate history of coal, coke, oil, gas, and oil shale extraction and production in Colorado. Scamehorn examines the origin, evolution, and aspects of the social and economic impact of these industries in Colorado. He treats each of the fuel sources separately from their discoveries and initial production in the nineteenth century to the energy crisis of the 1970’s, through the 1980’s, and up to the present energy concerns. In detailing the state’s long history of fossil fuel production, Scamehorn thoroughly dissects the arguments and conclusions of the domestic energy shortages made during the decades since the Second World War. Today’s readers-faced with either ever increasing energy costs or controversial plans to drill in national wildlife refuges-will be impressed by the timeliness of Scamehorn’s analysis of the failure of the U.S. government to achieve energy independence.