Mice in a coal mine
For Colorado miners, it wasn’t a canary in the coal mine that warned of danger — it was a mouse. Miners working underground faced an invisible threat: odorless gases like carbon monoxide could kill without warning. And mice lured underground by pack mule feed became their early warning system. These small rodents, brought down the shafts by accident were keenly sensitive to changes in the mine’s air. So when the mice grew lethargic or suddenly bolted, miners knew something was wrong. And it wasn’t just damp, poisonous gases — with their sharp hearing, they also warned of unstable conditions. A sudden mouse exodus could signal shifting timbers, or even potential roof collapse. Over time, miners came to respect their little companions, even fed and named them. Mice were true life-savers. An outsized role for the smallest members of Colorado’s coal industry.
About Colorado Postcards
Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. See more postcards.
