About the private claim on Clear Creek Options

[hootsmeister]

I happened to be at the Gold-N-Detectors store in Golden last week. I had heard mentioned, on a previous visit, that the owner was "going to be at his private claim on Clear Creek".

Now, being a bona fide greenhorn gold prospector, the last thing I want is to claim jump. So, I asked about the whereabouts of this private claim of Bill Chapman, proprietor of the store.

He said they hadn't shot any claim jumpers recently , and if I wanted to have a clear conscience about panning on or near this private claim, all I had to do was sign a disclaimer, releasing the claim owner from liability.

Jeepers! Sounded like a great deal to me! Unfortunately, Bill didn't have any forms handy, so I went back Monday morning (they were open until noon on Memorial Day), and signed the waiver. It was just like Bill had said -- it releases the claim owner from any accident -- rattlesnake bite, carpal tunnel syndrome, whatever -- that might befall a prospector there.

He also told me a bit of history as to why he maintains the claim. Seems that Jefferson County would like to ban panning along that 12+ miles of river. And Bill has successfully fought for his (and by extension, our) right to pan.

He also told me that motorized dredges and such are allowed along Clear Creek, up to State Highway 119.

So, if you want to not worry about being a claim jumper, stop in and see Bill. Call ahead, as he's not always on the premises. Also, get the complete story of the political shenanigans that politicians play with our right to do a little 'panning now and then.

Last -- the river is running high, fast, and powerful. Be very, very careful on Clear Creek right now -- it would be easy to get pulled off your feet and swept downstream.

[CP]

Hi Hootsmeister, thanks for the post and good luck at the private claim, you'll have a great chance to find some nice color there.

I'd like to clarify a little more about this specific claim for the club members here, that claim is actually BLM land completely surrounded by privately owned land of Jefferson county open space. Being it's BLM land, then Jefferson county cleary can not dictate, regulate, or prohibit activities on that location claim as they have no jurisdiction/authority over that land.

How ever, they do have authority to do so on the rest of Clear creek up to the county line as that is all open space the county owns. I don't see why they'd want to stop panning and sluicing if dredging is suppose to be ok though?
I'd call the county offices and ask them for their actual rules at anyrate, as I understood it they would rather not have motorized but panning and sluicing was what is allowed.

Good luck out there everyone, and stay safe.

CP