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.