The federal mineral record holds 17,670 entries for Colorado — 11,075 mines that shipped ore, 445 prospects that never became mines, 4,157 recorded occurrences. Below it: 5 places where you can legally collect.
Mineral history, not an invitation. This mineral history comes from a federal record of historic mines, prospects, and occurrences. It is not a list of places to collect. Historic mine sites are usually on private land, under active mining claims, or unsafe to enter — and often all three. The places you can actually collect are in the legal-access directory below.
The commodities that drew miners and prospectors to Colorado, by number of historic records:
Gold · 6,165Silver · 5,446Lead · 3,956Uranium · 3,518Zinc · 3,138Copper · 2,684Vanadium · 2,410Tungsten · 493
Records from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System, a legacy federal database last revised August 2022 and no longer updated.
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Ouray, CO
placer gold
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal · Currently open, with mine tours running seven days a week. The operation reopened after the Gold Mountain Fire forced a temporary closure and damaged property during peak season. Specific tour hours are not published online - phone (970) 325-0220 before driving up the canyon.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Breckenridge, CO
placer gold
Fee dig · Fee · Open year-round with a heavy summer season. Panning happens in Eureka Creek, so cold-weather sessions depend on conditions. Specific seasonal hours are not published - call (720) 458-5387 to confirm.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Devils Head Area, Pike National Forest
Sedalia, CO
topazamazonitesmoky quartz
Public land, rules apply · Free · Roughly late May through October. The Rampart Range roads are rough, seasonally gated, and often hold snow into spring.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Florissant, CO
fossil leavesfossil insectsfossil seeds
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal · Confirmed open for the 2026 season. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day; closed Sundays. After September it is open by appointment only. Occasional closures for offsite events, so call ahead.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Nathrop, CO
aquamarineberylsmoky quartz
Public land, rules apply · Free · A genuinely short window, mid-July into September. The mountain holds snow late and thunderstorms build above treeline nearly every afternoon.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
GoldSilverCopperQuartz CrystalsGarnetsFluoriteBerylGemstones
Yes — at places that allow it. This page lists 5 in Colorado: fee digs, designated collecting areas, and official localities, each checked against its source. Everywhere else, legality depends on who owns the land and what rules apply. Before any trip: check land ownership and current mining claims, get permission, respect closures, and never enter old mine workings.
Treat Colorado's historic mines as history, not destinations. Most sit on private land or active mining claims, and old workings are dangerous even to walk. The mineral record on this page tells you what the ground holds — the directory tells you where you are welcome to look for it.