Pops the Triceratops

Fossilized Triceratops Skull

In 1982, the first skull of a Triceratops was found in northern Weld County on land owned by Mr. and Mrs. Roland Mapelli. The Mapelli family donated the fossil to Weld County Government in 1986, and for decades Pops (the name Weld County employees gave the fossil) has greeted visitors to the Weld County Centennial Center and later the Weld County Administration Building. 

Through a partnership with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the fossil was temporarily moved to the museum where it was cleaned, reconstructed and studied before returning to Weld County for future generations of residents to enjoy in April 2023.

 

 

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