Bill Ritter announces new home for moon rock: Colorado School of Mines' Museum of Geology

Bill Ritter.

Yesterday, Governor Bill Ritter and Colorado School of Mines President Bill Scoggins revealed the new permanent location for Colorado's "Goodwill" moon rock.

From now on, you'll be able to find the once lost and recently found rock at the School of Mines' Museum of Geology.

The moon rock was one of the 360 rocks to come back on Apollo 17 in January 1974. Then-president Richard Nixon gave the rocks to all 50 states and 160 different countries. Over time, the moon rocks started to disappear and now the location of only half of them is known. Colorado received two rocks. One of them is on display at the State Capitol and the other was thought to be missing, at least until the beginning of this summer.

Dylan Burkhardt

The moon rock in it's new home; a safe in the Colorado School of Mines' Museum of Geology.

Forensic students at the University of Phoenix have been investigating the locations of the missing moon rocks for the past year. One of the students was able to locate Colorado's missing rock on the office wall of past governor John Vanderhoof, who kept the moon rock -- worth more than $5 million -- because he felt it was a "very special" piece of history.

It was Vanderhoof who suggested that the rock be moved to the School of Mines' Museum. "We are honored to be caretakers," Scoggins says. He believes the rock will add an "important new dimension" to the museum and the education of students. Bruce Geller, head of the Museum of Geology said he "couldn't be more thrilled" about the new addition which he believes represents "limitless possibilities."

The moon rock will be available for public viewing at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 30. It is displayed on the lower level of the Museum of Geology along with other meteorites. The Museum, located on 1310 Maple Street, in Golden, is open every day and admission is free.