The primary format used to deliver the dataset found in Granitto and others, 2010, Central Colorado Assessment Project (CCAP):  Geochemical Data for Rock, Sediment, Soil and Concentrate Sample Media: USGS Data Series 509 is Microsoft Access. This dataset was created in two other formats in order to facilitate wider usage for users who may prefer formats other than Access. Strong attempts were made to avoid inevitable data corruption caused by the reformatting of this dataset into other formats. These data are released on the condition that neither the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) nor the U.S. Government may be held liable for any damages resulting from authorized or unauthorized use.  The USGS provides these data "as is" and makes no guarantee or warranty concerning the accuracy of information contained in the data.  The USGS further makes no warranties, either expressed or implied as to any other matter, whatsoever, including, without limitation, the condition of the product, or its fitness for any particular purpose.  The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user.

The dataset in .mdb form may be accessed using Microsoft Access 2000, 2002, 2003, or 2007. The Central Colorado Assessment Project (CCAP) database (CCAP.mdb) contains four relational datasets; two that are core data tables and two that are core-lookup tables. These datasets comprise all of the data collected as part of the study and all of the data discussed in this report. From these datasets, nine analytical data tables were created of various sections of data. These nine "ChemData" tables each represent a unique dataset containing analytical data gathered through the analysis of specific sample media and determined by certain analytic methods (media/method specific datasets). Though this is a certain advantage to the "flat-file" or spreadsheet user, it must be stressed that the parameters and criteria for these datasets were chosen by the database designer and may not meet the specific requirements of the spreadsheet user for geospatial modeling. A table of mineral deposit models and a related table of references were created to assist the user in understanding the various types of mineral deposits represented in this study.  A table of data field name definitions was also created from the data sets. The database includes 1,891,760 results for 22,125 rock samples, 17,002 sediment sediment, 4,637 soil samples, and 3,714 heavy mineral concentrate samples. These entries contain quantitative, qualitative, or descriptive measurements. Data definition is provided through the use of 559 unique parameters, or measurement types.

The dataset in .xls form (CCAP_Excel_Files) may be accessed using Microsoft Excel 2000, 2002, 2003 or 2007. Most of the Access datasets in the CCAP database were exported into Excel as thirteen spreadsheets for use by the non-database user so that all of the data is presented in Excel spreadsheet format. From these Access datasets, nine analytical data tables were created of various sections of data. These nine "ChemData" tables each represent a unique dataset containing analytical data gathered through the analysis of specific sample media and determined by certain analytic methods (media/method specific datasets). These nine analytical data tables were reformatted as Excel spreadsheets. Though this is a certain advantage to the spreadsheet user, it must be stressed that the parameters and criteria for these datasets were chosen by the database designer and may not meet the specific requirements of the spreadsheet user for geospatial modeling. The intended relationships between the spreadsheets and their fields (columns) can be best understood by consulting the relationship diagram in Figure 2, "Figure 2.	Table relationships in the CCAP Geochemical Database", found in Granitto and others, 2010, Central Colorado Assessment Project (CCAP):  Geochemical Data for Rock, Sediment, Soil and Concentrate Sample Media: USGS Data Series 509.

The dataset in ASCII flatfile form (CCAP_ASCII_Files) may be accessed using any text editor, but is best used by loading each flatfile into a relational database and re-establishing the links as shown in Figure 2, "Figure 2. Table relationships in the CCAP Geochemical Database", found in Granitto and others, 2010, Central Colorado Assessment Project (CCAP):  Geochemical Data for Rock, Sediment, Soil and Concentrate Sample Media: USGS Data Series 509.

Metadata provides information about the geospatial data such as its content, quality, condition, and other characteristics of data. Metadata has been provided (CCAPMetadata) as .txt, .xml and .html files to facilitate use by various software programs.