State owned lands come into conversations now and then concerning prospecting and mining so we thought this would be helpful information to have on hand.
Remember folks state owned lands are not National Forests or BLM lands. They are state owned and regulated completely seperately. Mining isn't prohibited but, it is only allowed when you have a written agreement (lease with royalties agreements) ongoing with the state land trust board.
These areas would include state wildlife areas which are set up for "recreational wildlife uses" to be specific. The following PDF explains the general rules concerning use/access of the state lands regulated through the Colorado Division of Wildlife in lease agreements for the specific use mentioned above.
Prospecting within state owned lands is prohibited without written permission from the board (unless posted otherwise onsite/office)
Download a copy for your reference file today everyone.
DOW_land_rules.pdf ( 482.63K )
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This is a great topic as many don't know the rules pertaining to State owned lands.
I've been reading through the attached pdf and they make it pretty clear. I'll reference a couple of rules from the pdf that caught my eye....
C. Prohibited Activities
Except as specifically authorized by contractual agreement, official document, public notice,
permit or by posted sign, the following activities are prohibited on all lands, waters, the frozen
surface of waters, rights-of-way, buildings, and other structures or devices owned, operated,
or under the administrative control of the Division of Wildlife:
2. To enter, use, or occupy any area for any commercial purpose or to conduct land, water,
oil, gas, or mineral investigations, surveys, or explorations of any kind.
7. To remove, modify, adjust, deface, destroy, or mutilate any building, structure, water
control device, fence, gate, poster, notice, sign, survey or section marker, tree, shrub or
other vegetation or any object of archaeological, geological, or historical value or interest.
... also I'm a little confused regarding "State Trust Land" designation.
Dan, if you scroll down the list of State "Trust" Lands, the Mtn (and County) of my claim appear there.... yet I'm on BLM (Federal) managed land. Since you know where it is have a look, they have a couple of odd ATV-related rules. As far as I know that mtn is primarily BLM and I don't recall seeing any State owned or leased land back when I was researching that area. I know that I don't have anything to worry about but I found it odd that my mtn was included on their list.
Maybe there's a parcel of that mtn that the State has their mittens on?
your refering to public lands maintained/managed by the state. correct? like the Federal gubermint, they cant/dont own land. we the people own it! correct?
Brandon, thanks for the PM and links. I double-checked the geocomm and our claims are well within BLM managed land boundaries. There is land on the mtn that is not designated as BLM managed. The unshaded areas on the mapping didn't specify State Owned or State Trust lands so I'm assuming that some/all of the land not shaded must belong to the State. But ya.... our claims are on BLM Federally managed lands.
Upon further review....
The State Trusted or Owned lands are on the south side of the mtn. We are clearly exempt from State Owned Land or State Trust Land regulations but I now understand why (part of) the mtn is listed under State Trust management... they have their mittens on the south side of the mtn. LOL.... they can have it.
Hey Chris,
When you drive up to the claim, which road do you take? The reason I am asking is, coming from town there is two different roads that lead up to the top of the mountain. I always take the second road and right in the middle of the hill before you get to the top is a sign that, "I believe", says "Entering State Lands..... ect.. ect..". But I thought it ended at the top of the mountain and everything to the south, "back down the hill" was included in this area. Could it be they have that mountain on the list just for that track of land?
Hi Woody,
Yes, I take the second road as well and I believe you are 100% correct. I think that the State owns/leases (State Trust Land) a good portion of the south side of that mtn. Next time I'm up I'll get a better look at the signs on that side but pretty sure you're right.
Sent another PM with the parks and wildlife map that shows the actual ownership, it's quite clear. I'll shoot a copy to you as well woody, tried to already but it won't let me send another so soon.
Brandon,
Your research skills are to be admired.
Got it Brandon,
Thanks a lot.
thankyou Swizz for pointing this out to me!!
So here are some additional details that I found regarding this as I was just curious on what it would take to be able to do any kind of prospecting/mining on Colorado state trust lands.
First here is a link to the http://trustlands.state.co.us/Sections/Minerals/Documents/Stewardship%20Trust%20Minerals%20Mgmt.pdf Which basically states that land can be used to gather minerals, but only with a lease. These leases will be given out under heavy guidelines that basically one won't be given if there is the potential for any disturbances:WHEREAS, § 36-1-107.5, C.R.S. provides, "In holding [Stewardship Trust] lands in trust, the state board of land commissioners shall permit only those uses that will protect and enhance the beauty, natural values, open space, and wildlife habitat of those lands; except that any such restrictions on use need not necessarily preclude existing uses or management practices including but not limited to mineral resources, agricultural, and grazing uses."
To apply, then reading over the http://trustlands.state.co.us/Sections/Minerals/Documents/Minerals%20Leasing%20Policy%202003.pdf is strongly suggested, which has all the rules and regulations over having a mineral/oil and gas lease.
This seems like the best landing page for all of the applications, forms and fees for applying for exploration permits: http://trustlands.state.co.us/SECTIONS/MINERALS/Pages/Forms.aspxWhich includes links to the applications and everything. From what I am understanding of the process and applications then to be able to do exploration mining the two forms that are necessary are: http://trustlands.state.co.us/Sections/Minerals/Documents/Exploration%20Permit%20Application4.pdf and http://trustlands.state.co.us/Sections/Minerals/Documents/Exploration%20Bond%20Form.pdf
Just for the exploration it would cost $100 + cost of the bond
Then to get a mining lease, even a long term lease non development would be significantly more.
Nice work Moird and thanks for posting up the additional details/info you found in your research for everyone. It would take a little different route to prospect/explore those state owned lands but not impossible.
This thread has some great information on state owned lands! You guys rock!!!
Well worth a bump for others interested to learn from.
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