Small Earthquake Shakes Parts of Colorado Friday Morning, Felt in Multiple Cities
Colorado residents in several Front Range communities reported a small jolt Friday morning as a 2.9 magnitude earthquake struck near St. Vrain in Dacono just after 6 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. While considered a minor quake—meteorologists liken the sensation to someone nudging the back of your chair—it was noticeable to some early risers.
Residents in Broomfield, Lafayette, Longmont, Erie, Frederick, Brighton, and even Denver told the agency they felt light tremors. Though the quake didn’t cause any damage, it’s another reminder that Colorado, despite its low seismic profile, is no stranger to geological activity.
According to the Colorado Geological Survey, the state is an “active tectonic province” with thousands of known faults—90 of which are considered potentially active. Since 1867, Colorado has recorded over 700 earthquakes stronger than magnitude 2.5, including rare but significant quakes above magnitude 6. Some quakes have even been linked to human activity, like deep injection wells and mining operations.
While most of Colorado’s quakes are too small to feel, experts say larger ones remain a possibility in the future.
