Colorado Mountain Land Links: Colorado Mountain Gold

Salida Area Gold Prospecting
from Colorado Headwaters.com

Gold was first discovered in Arapahoe County on Cherry Creek where it meets the South Platte River in 1859. Since then, more than 40 million troy ounces have been recovered.

Placer Deposits

A placer deposit is a concentration of a natural material that has accumulated in unconsolidated sediments of a stream bed, beach, or residual deposit. Gold derived by weathering or other process from lode deposits is likely to accumulate in placer deposits because of its weight and resistance to corrosion. In addition, its characteristically sun-yellow color makes it easily and quickly recognizable even in very small quantities.

Mountain Climbing
Horse Back Riding
Mountain Biking
Rock Hounding
Four-Wheeling
Snow Mobiling
Snow Shoeing
Gold Panning
Camping
Hunting
ATVing
Golfing
Fishing
Rafting
Hiking
Skiing

The gold pan or miner's pan is a shallow sheet-iron vessel with sloping sides and flat bottom used to wash gold-bearing gravel or other material containing heavy minerals. The process of washing material in a pan, referred to as "panning," is the simplest, most commonly used, and least expensive method for a prospector to separate gold from the silt, sand, and gravel of the stream deposits. It is a tedious, back-breaking job and only with practice does one become proficient in the operation. Thankfully, technology finally caught up with our gold fever and brought us metal detectors!

Most of the state's gold is in a mineral belt extending SW from central Boulder County through Chaffee and Gunnison Counties. Placer nuggets are found downstream from many mining districts in the belt. Most placers come from North Clear Creek west of Denver, Breckenridge, Alma and Fairplay, and Leadville. Large dredges were used in these areas during the peak activity in the 1930's, but there certainly ample gold left - because hobbyists find it every weekend. The richest and most productive placer gravels are in the Northeast portion of the mineral belt. Try both the BLM & the National Forest Service for good leads and more information including maps and regulations in this area.

You can always ask for permission to hunt on any private property, but there is lots of public land where you can pan and metal detect. As always, please respect other's claims. Here are a few of the numerous Public Access Areas. I couldn't find out any more information such as equipment use restrictions or what government agencies actually own this particular land though.

The Arkansas River and Clear Creek are two of the most frequented:

1. The Arkansas from Salida, CO to Leadville has many public sites.

2. Clear Creek from mile marker 2.5 to Golden is also a favorite.
La Plata Creek: Just west of Durango, then traveling south across the New Mexico state line thru Farmington, NM until the creek runs into the San Juan River just West of Farmington. Great panning area for flakes throughout described area.