Fossil Trace is located in Golden northwest of Denver off I-70 at the 6th Avenue exit to the northwest.

The name comes from a find of fossils on the property ranging from 64 million-year-old Triceratops footprints to palm fronds which which are generally apparent throughout the course. In the late 1800s, the land was a clay quarry and a few holes have remnants of the clay mining operation including old mining equipment. The first hole has a former mining smelter chimney right in the middle of the fairway and along with mining tractors parked near many of the holes-it's a bit much, but that's part of the history here. The course was designed with a minimalist approach by not disturbing much of the land and instead incorporated the existing elevation changes, rock canyons and formations, and a combination of wide open areas and tree-lined corridors into the design. Most of the tee shots are to to target fairways over natural waste areas providing several options to approach the greens with a few risk/reward opportunities. Fossil has many of the architect's signature “muscle bunkers”, jagged, teeth-shaped bunkers with very steep walls. It measures 6,831 yards, 72.3/138, course/slope ratings from the back tees with six shorter tees, designed by Jim Engh.