The Colorado River had one of the most unique fish communities in the world. Seventy-five percent of those species were found nowhere else in the world. Settlement of the lower basin brought dramatic change to both the river and its native fish. Those changes began more than 120 years ago as settlers began stocking nonnative fishes. By 1930, nonnative fish had spread throughout the lower basin and replaced native communities. All resemblance of historic river conditions faded with the construction of Hoover Dam in 1935 and other large water development projects. Today, few remember what the Colorado River was really like. Seven of the nine mainstream fishes are now Federally-protected as endangered. Federal and state agencies are attempting to recover these fish. However, progress has been frustrated due to the severity of human impact. This report represents testimony, old descriptions, and photographs describing the changes that have taken place in hopes that it will provide managers, biologists, and the interested public a better appreciation of the environment that shaped these unique fish.

This compilation catalogues the writings on the diverse vertebrate species within Colorado's boundaries beginning with the Escalante Expedition, which skirted the western slope a century before Colorado's statehood. Because of its geographical location-between East and West, North and Southwest, its altitudinal range of more than 11,000 feet, and its consequent variety of ecosystems from desert shrub to alpine tundra, Colorado ranks high among the fifty states for its variety of vertebrates. With such an abundance of these vertebrates, biologists and observant laypersons have had much to write about. This comprehensive bibliography is divided into major sections: General Natural History, Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals. Each taxonomic group has a general section, followed by listings at taxon levels down to alphabetically-arranged species. The bibliography is especially complete with respect to periodical literature through 1995. Colorado Vertebrate Zoology cites resources for studying both well-researched vertebrates and those needing more study.