"High Altitude Energy: A History of Fossil Fuels in Colorado is a timely, articulate history of coal, coke, oil, gas, and oil shale extraction and production in Colorado. Lee Scamehorn examines the origin, evolution, and aspects of the social and economic impact of these industries in Colorado and treats each of the fuel sources separately from their discoveries and initial production in the nineteenth century to the energy crisis of the 1970s, through the 1980s, 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 certain 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.".

"Aimed at the general reader, as well as mining historians, environmental historians, regional historians, and political scientists, High Altitude Energy: A History of Fossil Fuels in Colorado will help the reader better understand Colorado's role in the past and future of U.S. energy production."--BOOK JACKET.