If you have the means to get to Denver you're within range of Clear Creek. The open panning area starts just west of Golden on the west side of the first tunnel and runs all the way to at least the county line. Not sure about past that. As I mentioned there is an active claim that starts at I believe it's Elk Creek and goes downstream for a mile. Other than that it's fair game. I've seen people panning in Denver itself but I think that kind of takes the fun out of it. Some of the more seasoned members can offer more information as I've started fairly recently myself.

As for this time of year I'd say that if there's no significant ice buildup on the stream you choose and you aren't afraid of the cold water then go for it! I know that Clear Creek was under some heavy ice the last time I was up there about a month and a half ago, probably about the same now.

Hey thanks Dypheron I will head up that way in the middle of the next week when my sluice gets here , does open panning mean hand feeding a sluice and digging as well??

Yes. This info is for Clear Creek. There is also open panning in the city of Golden, but limited to stream sluices and pans. Stop by Gold-n-Detectors for more information on the laws and regs there. There is no prospecting in the city of Wheatridge period. Arvada also allows prospecting on Clear Creek and Ralston Creek, but check with their Parks and Recreation for current regulations. As far as I understand, there is open prospecting in Adams County along Clear Creek, but limited to non-motorized equipment in the open space. I usually run a battery powered power sluice there. All digging is limited to the high water mark for the day in all these areas, and all holes must be backfilled when you leave. Golden has extra regs on where you can dig, so again, check at Gold-n-Detectors. Rule of thumb is to stay at least 100 ft away from bridges and over-passes. Hope this helps.

Good Luck!

As long as you're not pulling material from above the high water mark you're fine. Make sure that you fill any holes that you make, and yes, a sluice would be fine. You could call Jefferson County to verify that nothing has changed for this year.

Dang it Caveman, beat me to it!

Wasn't racing...

Up on Clear creek above tunnel 3 that claim begins at Elk creek's dump in and goes upstream for a mile rather than downstream. Great chances of finding some nice colors up there folks, have a great time and don't forget the cameras.

Whoops. In any case it's very well marked.

Hey thanks for the help I will try my first outing hopefully wednesday weather permiting I been looking into old mine shafts tailings too and from what I hear they are open to metal detecting if on BLM or NFS anyone ever try there luck at them, My ATgold is here tuesday and wanted to test her out somewhere besides the park!

Thanks again everyone

It's not very expensive to stake your own.
If you stake your own claim the initial filing fees are in the ballpark of $200. +/-
After that you are responsible for paying annual filing fees to legally maintain ownership of the claim. If you miss the annual deadline (Aug 31)... you lose the claim.
Basically, there are two methods of filing annually for an individual Location Claim once you own it:
1) Provide a statement of (at least $100 worth) maintenance performed on that land and pay $10 per year
2) Use Annual Maint Fee Waiver option and pay $140 per year
You can use either option each year. They require that you pay the $140 (included in that $200 +/- estimate) for your initial filing but it's up to the claim owner after that.
I prefer to pay the $140 per year which leaves no legal room for maintenance scrutiny from the land mgmt agency (typically NFS or BLM). For myself and many claim owners this is a wise decision. Many others prefer the $10 annual route but in my opinion.... it leaves your flanks exposed.

Hi Troy,

The spot Caveman mentioned, “Point Bar”, will be the closest to your location. Good thing that you have that there because the next known gold producing location will be considerably further. There is gold up around Cripple Creek but it is limited to only a few drainages and is pretty much all claimed or being mined. There will be a fair amount of people at the Point Bar site every weekend as it is a well visited public spot. It’s a ways up the road from Cotopaxi, say 15/20 miles or so, and is kind of squirrelly getting in to. It is located near Wellsville but you have to go past the town, cross the river, and then back down CO Rd 7 a few miles to get to the site. Check your favorite internet map site prior to heading up there for best reference. Anyway, there should be someone up there that will help you get started and show you if you are doing it right or not.

Kudos to Caveman for posting that reg on Point Bar. I haven’t been up there in 20 years or so but did not know it was seasonal.

Thanks Woody! Paydirt is not the only thing you have to dig when you get into this....

Wow I had no idea it was that cheap Iam sure theres got to be alot of paperwork BS to deal with though?
I would really love that more than anything so Iam down to pay for it but finding the right spot seems like the hard part!

Thanks for letting me know Swizz!

No, it's not too excessive. All has to be done right and in proper order though.

I think I read somewhere on here that being a member they give you areas to look into that are unclaimed if so would they help in any of the paperwork aspects as well, dont want to sound like I cant do anything on my own but dont want to be one to do things wrong ether!