Cowboy Wash

Cowboy Wash is an archaeological protected area in southwestern Colorado containing nine separate excavation sites along the slopes of Ute Mountain. The sites contain ruins of pit houses and collections of stone tools that reveal how Ancestral Puebloans constructed their settlements.

The area was home to Ancestral Puebloan communities between 1150 and 1175 AD, as revealed by excavations in the 1990s. These discoveries document an important chapter in the prehistory of the Southwest.

This place holds cultural significance for the Ute community and was studied through partnerships between archaeologists and local religious leaders. Such cooperation shaped how these settlements were examined and understood.

The area is straightforward to explore with several trails connecting the different excavation sites. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather for visiting.

Scientists used an unconventional research method by examining ancient human waste material with modern analysis. This approach revealed evidence of consumed human tissue at this ancient settlement.

Location: Colorado

GPS coordinates: 37.17972,-108.84528

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46