History

Ancient Geology: The Birth of an Oil Giant

300 million years ago, during the Pennsylvanian and Permian periods, a vast shallow sea covered much of the region around present-day Rangely.  Massive sand dunes formed along its edges, eventually compacting into the highly porous Weber Sandstone — the rock formation that would later become one of the Rocky Mountain region's most important oil reservoirs.  These dunes folded into a large anticline (an upward-arched structure), trapping oil in a thick reservoir up to 100–950 feet deep at its center. This geologic feature laid the foundation for Rangely's identity as an oil town. 

Ancient Inhabitants: The Fremont People (~400 B.C. – 650 A.D.)

Evidence of human presence in the area dates back thousands of years, but the most prominent and well-documented culture belongs to the Fremont people (roughly 400 B.C. to 650 A.D.). They left behind abundant rock art (petroglyphs and pictographs), visible today along Colorado Highway 139 (Canyon Pintado) and the Dragon Trail.

Sites include an unusual Fremont dwelling at Texas Creek Overlook — one of the most significant examples near Rangely.

Known as skilled basket makers, the Fremont may have also used areas like Canyon Pintado for solar and lunar observations.

As the Fremont culture faded, new hunter-gatherers — likely ancestors of the Ute (known as "Yuetta" or "Blue Sky People") — moved into the region.

The Ute Era and European Contact (~650 A.D. onward)

The Ute became the dominant people in the area, thriving as hunters and gatherers. In the 1500s–1700s, they were the first locals to encounter Spanish explorers, who introduced horses — revolutionizing Ute mobility for hunting and large gatherings. 

Much of Colorado fell under Spanish control during periods like 1540–1700 and 1763–1805 (with brief overlapping claims by other colonial powers), though the land remained fundamentally Indigenous territory. 

Relations with settlers deteriorated in the 1800s, leading to conflicts and significant loss of life. In 1881, the Ute were relocated to a reservation. 

The Dawn of Oil: From Early Attempts to Discovery (1900s–1930s)

Oil seeps were long known to the Ute, but modern exploration began in 1901 with shallow wells in the Mancos Shale — all disappointing. For decades, 13 companies tried and failed in the small settlement of Rangely. The turning point came in 1931, when Chevron (then the California Company) drilled the Raven A-1 — the first deep well targeting the Weber Sandstone. After more than a year of drilling, it struck oil in 1932 at over 6,000 feet, coming online in 1933 at 230 barrels per day. It became legendary as one of the most productive initial wells of its era.

Due to limited markets during the Great Depression, the well was capped for a decade.

Boom Times: World War II and Beyond (1940s–Today)

Demand surged during World War II, prompting Chevron to reopen Raven A-1. Rangely transformed into a booming oil camp and officially incorporated in 1946. By 1949, 478 wells spanned 30 miles across the Weber formation. Production peaked at 82,000 barrels per day in 1956.

The field became the Rangely Weber Sand Unit, recovering over 815 million barrels of oil to date — making it the largest in the Rocky Mountain region.  Additional recovery from the shallower Mancos Shale added about 12 million barrels.

Today, the unitized field (shared by nearly 30 owners, including major companies, independents, trusts, and individuals) features ~406 producing wells and ~351 injection wells. It continues to produce roughly one-third of Colorado's oil (around 20,000 barrels per day, though figures vary with market conditions).

Chevron operated the field for decades (including pioneering CO₂ injection for enhanced recovery since the 1980s) until December 1, 2021, when Scout Energy Management, LLC acquired it.  This rich history — from ancient seas and rock art to a world-class oil field — continues to shape Rangely's community and landscape. 

Come explore Rangely’s incredible story — where deep time, ancient cultures, 
pioneering energy, and prehistoric wonders all converge!

Visit Canyon Pintado’s stunning Fremont rock art, marvel at the geology that birthed our world-class oil field, and see firsthand where history meets modern energy.  Don’t miss the highlight at the entrance to the Rangely Outdoor Museum along the iconic Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway: the striking replica of Walter the Hadrosaur!

This impressive life-size steel sculpture honors the nearly complete duck-billed dinosaur fossil discovered just south of town — a 74-million-year-old treasure that’s exciting paleontologists and drawing visitors to our region. Stop by, snap a photo, and read Walter’s fascinating discovery story (complete with the adventurous Great Dane who sniffed out the first bone!) on the kiosk right at the site.  Whether you’re a geology buff, history enthusiast, or dinosaur lover, Rangely offers unforgettable experiences for every explorer. Plan your visit today!