FLAT TOPS PRIMITIVE AREA, COLORADO.

An investigation of the Flat Tops Primitive Area in Colorado revealed little promise for the occurrence of mineral resources. This study also indicated there is little promise for the occurrence of oil and gas or coal resources. Oil is produced from fractured zones in the Mancos Shale in several places in Colorado, but methods of systematic exploration for this type of resource have not been developed. If such methods were to be developed, reexamination of the Mancos Shale in the primitive area might be desirable. Additional studies to improve the assessment of the mineral potential for deposits beneath the volcanic cover also requires development of new techniques.