diff --git a/examples/color/colormap_reference.py b/examples/color/colormap_reference.py
index 848fc1c66090..768a155dbb16 100644
--- a/examples/color/colormap_reference.py
+++ b/examples/color/colormap_reference.py
@@ -5,44 +5,17 @@
 
 Reference for colormaps included with Matplotlib.
 
-This reference example shows all colormaps included with Matplotlib. Note that
-any colormap listed here can be reversed by appending "_r" (e.g., "pink_r").
-These colormaps are divided into the following categories:
-
-Sequential:
-    These colormaps are approximately monochromatic colormaps varying smoothly
-    between two color tones---usually from low saturation (e.g. white) to high
-    saturation (e.g. a bright blue). Sequential colormaps are ideal for
-    representing most scientific data since they show a clear progression from
-    low-to-high values.
-
-Diverging:
-    These colormaps have a median value (usually light in color) and vary
-    smoothly to two different color tones at high and low values. Diverging
-    colormaps are ideal when your data has a median value that is significant
-    (e.g.  0, such that positive and negative values are represented by
-    different colors of the colormap).
-
-Qualitative:
-    These colormaps vary rapidly in color. Qualitative colormaps are useful
-for
-    choosing a set of discrete colors. For example::
-
-        color_list = plt.cm.Set3(np.linspace(0, 1, 12))
-
-    gives a list of RGB colors that are good for plotting a series of lines on
-    a dark background.
-
-Miscellaneous:
-    Colormaps that don't fit into the categories above.
+A reversed version of each of these colormaps is available by appending
+``_r`` to the name, e.g., ``viridis_r``.
 
+See :doc:`/tutorials/colors/colormaps` for an in-depth discussion about
+colormaps, including colorblind-friendliness.
 """
+
 import numpy as np
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
 
-# Have colormaps separated into categories:
-# http://matplotlib.org/examples/color/colormaps_reference.html
 cmaps = [('Perceptually Uniform Sequential', [
             'viridis', 'plasma', 'inferno', 'magma']),
          ('Sequential', [
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/cm.py b/lib/matplotlib/cm.py
index b08b23798b55..731cc7d0d36d 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/cm.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/cm.py
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 """
-This module provides a large set of colormaps, functions for
-registering new colormaps and for getting a colormap by name,
-and a mixin class for adding color mapping functionality.
+Builtin colormaps, colormap handling utilities, and the `ScalarMappable` mixin.
 
+See :doc:`/gallery/color/colormap_reference` for a list of builtin colormaps.
+See :doc:`/tutorials/colors/colormaps` for an in-depth discussion of colormaps.
 """
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function,
                         unicode_literals)