Come celebrate Weld County’s original rock star
Published on April 11, 2023
If you’ve never been to a party in honor of a dinosaur, then mark your calendar and join the county on April 21, 2023, from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Weld County Administration Building (1150 O St., Greeley) for the official “Weld”come home party for Pops the Triceratops, Weld County’s official fossil.
The fossil, discovered in 1982 on a ranch north of Briggsdale, was donated to Weld County by the landowner Roland “Sonny” Mapelli in 1986. Originally on public display at the Centennial Building in downtown Greeley, Pops was moved to the current county administration building in 2011. While Pops had always been accessible to the public for viewing, it had never been scientifically studied until the team from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) reached out to the county in late 2018 with a proposal to not only have the fossil studied but also restored.
Now, after a stay at the museum for study and restoration, followed by a trip to the Western Slope for casting, case building and additional restoration, Pops is ready for a big reveal back home in Weld County.
“Not every county is fortunate enough to have its own fossil,” said Weld County Commissioner Chair Mike Freeman. “The gift of the fossil from the Mapelli family to the residents of Weld County is truly unique, and we are proud to be able to work with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and Gaston Design, Inc. to ensure that Weld County residents will be able to see and learn about the fossil for generations to come.”
The celebration event will feature two new cases for the restored fossilized skull and the other large fossils from the dinosaur as well as new artwork from paleoartist Andrew Atuchin, which depicts Pops and Weld County 69-plus million years ago. Members of the Mapelli family will be in attendance for the event as will the team from DMNS.
“We invite everyone to come celebrate this homecoming and to learn more about what was here in Weld County millions of years ago,” said Freeman.
And since no party is complete without cupcakes and party favors, attendees of the event can pick up a dinosaur-themed cupcake (made by the Eaton High School Catering Class) and special Pops the Triceratops items.
