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Posted by: swizz Mar 21 2016, 08:06 AM

These are the rules and regs for Jeffco Open Space Clear Creek Canyon, please abide if you are using this recreational designated property.
For everyone's reference.
Many of us use this property, let's set a good example!

Prospecting Rules and Regulations For Jeffco Open Space Clear Creek Canyon

Digging into or destruction of stable shoreline, banks or existing vegetation is not permitted. Prospecting activities are permitted within in the normal, disturbed stream channel. Keeping one foot in the water is a step in the right direction.

All prospecting holes must be filled in before leaving site. Dredges and equipment may not be left overnight.

No prospecting within 100 feet of any structure including bridges, steps and stream channel improvements.

Motorized operations:

Only dredges with a nozzle diameter of four inches or fewer are permitted.

No dripping or leaking of fuel or oil allowed. Use drip-free fuel cans or remove the dredge to at least 10 feet from the water before refueling. Gas engines must be sealed and placed in a tub or bin so fuel/oil is not released into the water.

For battery operated units, battery must be clean and isolated from the river by tub, bin or other structure.

All prospectors must adhere to all Jefferson County Open Space rules and regulations. Report active violations to Jeffco Sheriff’s non-emergency number: 303-271-0211


C.6. Destruction of Natural/Cultural Resources: It shall be unlawful to deface, damage, or in any other way vandalize any vegetation, rock, or any object of archaeological, biological, geological, or historical interest on Open Space lands. Fine: $125.00

C.7. Collection of Natural Resources: It shall be unlawful to take, collect, gather, or possess any animal, vegetation, rock, wood or any other object on Open Space lands.Fine: $100.00

C.8. Destruction of Wildlife Habitat: It shall be unlawful for any person, or any pet under their custody, control, or ownership, to alter, damage, destroy, remove or in any other way vandalize wildlife habitat features on Open Space lands, including but not limited to, animal dens, burrows, dwellings, or nests. Fine: $150.00

C.29. Abandoned Property: It shall be unlawful to leave any personal property unattended on Open Space lands in excess of 24 hours unless authorized. Fine: $50.00

Posted by: EMac Mar 22 2016, 11:47 AM

You mean leaving 6' dredge holes next to the bank isn't kosher? :)

Posted by: swizz Mar 22 2016, 12:01 PM

LOL... very doubtful. They and their truck are on that parking lot camera I guess if Jeffco wanted to pursue it though. I think runoff will reclaim their hole in short order.

Posted by: EMac Mar 22 2016, 12:59 PM

Runoff does equalize things. The area we're in now will be fully submerged in short order.

Posted by: johnnybravo300 Mar 24 2016, 11:16 PM

Thanks for the info swizz.
Last time I went to clear creek I was only maybe 40 feet away from the fishing thing but by the time I realized it I was on the gold! I'll pick a better spot next time. Upstream around the bend across the creek to the left looked like a good spot to check out. There were some big rocks laying there but i didn't get to investigate.
Travis and I were looking for a place to cross but we didn't have waders and Curtis was ready to go. Have you guys been up there yet? There may be some good spots up around that bend too.

The second day I spent there at clear creek, my wife and I went upstream further. We parked at the end of a tunnel and hiked around the side, following the creek. We took all the gear with us since we didn't know what to expect. Walking back to the car would eat too much time. We needed to drive back home that day and time was flying by but I wanted to do some qwik pans.
We ran into a guy back there that took me to the side and informed me that for one: we won't get rich doing this "like on TV".
And two: that I should really just go practice with a gold pan and learn how to use it first. Then I can learn the next steps.
He's saying this while I'm standing there with a backpack full of gear, a shovel, buckets, my bazooka. My wifes arms were full too hehe. She had water and a lawn chair. We were rolling deep but i wasnt planning on walking very far. I didnt want to be rude but the daylight was burning. I must have had a dumbfounded look on my face but my wife thought it was pretty funny.
He informed me that he had ten years experience and was a paid gold guide that took people to find gold, and that if we wanted a paid gold guide, he could be that guy.
I should have acted like an interested client/tourist type and then drilled him with questions like......
If youre so good why are you still "prospecting" after ten years but haven't found anything worth mining yet?
Why are you at clear creek with all the gold locations that a professional gold guide should have access to?
What is a gold guide?
What does ten years experience really mean?
Why is your prospecting car a two wheel drive PT cruiser?
Yes, it was that rediculous.

If I was in a good mood by that point or if i had time to screw around it might have been different but I was done with him. I had other questions going through my mind too, but after a few annoying minutes of it I just wanted to depart from him. I ended up having to get a little rude with him in the end but he left us alone after that and we didn't end up staying there for long anyway.
Watch out for that guy!

I was going to tell you guys about that. You have a certified professional gold guide of ten years on that creek with you! And he can teach youuu!
Just in case anyone was interested hehe...

Posted by: swizz Mar 25 2016, 05:36 AM

Sounds like you ran into one of the snakes in the grass, glad you are smarter than that.
As spring approaches, it's a good time to revisit this thread: http://www.coloradoprospector.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3827&st=0

Posted by: swizz Mar 25 2016, 01:10 PM

Regarding "gold panning guide services" on Jeffco Open Space properties such as Clear Creek Canyon. This is clearly listed in their rules and regs page online.

C.33. Commercial Activity: It shall be unlawful to conduct any commercial activity or concession, or to provide any service, product or activity for which a fee is charged, on Open Space lands, except when a valid Jefferson County Open Space Special Activity Agreement is issued.

It would make sense for a paying customer to always ask to see the person's valid "Jefferson County Open Space Special Activity Agreement" on Jeffco Open Space lands if solicited for paid services of any kind. If they have that Activity Agreement in hand, they are legal there and good in my book and the eyes of the law, whether they are selling hot dogs or charging someone to pan for Gold.
If not..... I'll leave that up to you.... the Jeffco Sheriff's number is listed at the top of this page for a reason.

Posted by: EMac Mar 25 2016, 01:44 PM

I wonder how much the rangers enforce this?

I say that because in the summer, there's rarely a weekend you won't see a roach coach or something at one of the parking pull-offs selling their wares (jerky, tchotchkes, hot dogs, etc.). They may very well be permitted, but I'm highly skeptical since it looks like some of those folks live in their vans.

In the few years I've been going to CC, I've had 2 rangers stop to chat, and only when I was at the bigger parking lots (vs the one-vehicle spots sprinkled along US6).

Posted by: swizz Mar 25 2016, 02:00 PM

I believe they keep good tabs on those roadside vendors. The guy in the maroon van who sells jerky is set up just upstream from Jeffco Open Space. Either they won't issue his agreement or he doesn't want to pay them for the privilege of vending on their property. He obviously knows the law there. I should stop and chat him up next trip... see what the Jeffco vendor agreement entails.

Posted by: swizz Mar 25 2016, 02:05 PM

No idea in regard to Gold guide services. Either the County has been issuing Jeffco Agreements for this or illegal (pay) guide services have gone undetected. It's that simple.
I would ask for their Jeffco paperwork if I was solicited on Jeffco Open Space property.

Posted by: swizz Apr 4 2016, 07:10 AM

Here is one of the signs posted in the Canyon regarding the fishing structure regs.... explains it pretty well.
https://flic.kr/p/F3yHL1https://flic.kr/p/F3yHL1 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/121086004@N07/, on Flickr