Just a reminder to anyone who likes this show ( me!).
New season kicks off tonight on The Weather Channel, I believe at 7pm.

.... just remembered we have our monthly CP Club mtg tonight too!
I'll have to record this episode.

I will likely record the show as well. The show has motivated me to get back into digging crystals for sure. I have been following Amanda's FB page. I hope they show the Peridot she has been finding! Want to go hunting next year for some. They say the Colorado Peridot is all claimed up. I hope to show otherwise.
See you at the chat meeting!

Hells yeah!

Was it a good episode? I have to catch it on my "On Demand" feature once they add it.

It was and wasn't since the show aired, a lot more claim jumpers - seems to have effed with everyone.... what you expect tho making stuff like that public knowledge.. I wanna find some topaz now tho - more so than ever.... and from what Amanda was pricing her smokeys at - makes me wonder if I could price some of mine the same from Endless - some are a pretty nice quality. Not that I have a license to sell anything - but perhaps someone like Mike S. could help me out with an appraiser/buyer.

I wanna find Amanda now.....

She's "claimed" Chris.....

I know, I know... 7 kids too I think.

at least!

I can't catch the rerun on my On Demand, it's not listed.
Gonna have to get lucky surfing The Weather Channel listings periodically.

Hope you caught the re-run before the new episode swizz. I was prospecting down that way when the tornado came through. I didn't see it. Heard about it later.

I have it recorded - I can get it to a hard drive if needed....

YAY! It just popped up on my On Demand! I'll squeeze in some time to catch up today I think.

They replay the prior episodes Sunday night starting at 5pm I think. Might be 6pm. Sometimes all night Saturday as well.


The More You Know, do do do do

LOLOL!!!
Actually, I can never count on TWC's scheduling. If there's severe weather somewhere they interrupt scheduled programming for hours, I hate that.

Right! Deleted many non-exsistent recorded episodes!

Oh, yeah. Been there!

I don't have a DVR anymore but Xfinity stores it in their On Demand feature... it doesn't get preempted by weather there. no commercials either.
I watched first episode of the season last night. I know the claim jumper stuff sounds all dramatic but as a claim owner it gets me fired up watching it. I don't think their anger and disgust was exaggerated. I'd be pissed too.
Love watching the Dorris family, man they get into some good stuff! My favorite is the guy with the wolf dog who found and donated that massive crystal on behalf of his deceased brother. Very good guy and awesome to follow, great sense of humor too. Unfortunately he wasn't in this episode. Hope he's back for the season.
I have the second episode queued up.

Without and spoilers you get to see him in the second episode.

--Chris

Saw 2nd episode last night, excellent. The Cardwell family is extremely interesting too, very good history up there regarding the road his family built and all the claims they still have. Pretty neat to see an excavator way up there.

Be aware of those who are on the show druming up "Drama" with wild claims - "Claim Jumpers are stealing from me" - Please note/see attached publicly available documents (note the Date/time stamp is from BLM public records).

The Orange paint (from 2013) and Red Paint (over the orange - Red Paint from 2014) - was actually locator paint for the property owner to have location evidence filmed just as the Film crew filmed in 2012 where "Claim jumping" was done on the Cardwell's Claims by the same individual.

All documents attached are public documents available either at Chaffee County Court or BLM records.

All the others on the show seem to be very above board and all except the "Claim jumper" have all their mining permits, reclamation bonds, etc, etc, etc completed according to the public records available at:

http://drmsweblink.state.co.us/drmsweblink...rch.aspx?dbid=0 search and review Permit Numbers: M2014*

you will see the public record for M2014032 and status: Denied.

Interesting... I'm surprised TWC is aware of this and still used these segments for the show. Good evidence for someone to use in court if this is indeed them mining on an established claim.

She needs a good spankin.

She needs a CP Club Membership.
If I remember correctly after the first season the BLM came after all of them except the Dorris family for not following laws and regulations.

I agree Mike!!


Thank you for the update Marine, good to have you around the forums. We take pride here in respecting and understanding ownership and this is an example. Good to see your standing up for what is yours and hopefully this will help others understand better with your postings.

Our main goal here is to help prospectors/miners understand the importance of research “BEFORE” heading out into the field. By learning the proper way to research one can use this information to re verify land status…including those from invites. Many people might have just “trusted” that this person (named persons) would have done the research properly and have happily headed out to this location with them! One should re verify any ones information, or they too could end up in a bad situation.

Kind of ironic that when this show (casting personnel) contacts Dan and myself , they always get the same reply but we never hear back from them till next casting interest. Our reply pretty much tells them that we could help them show it in a more realistic light but without the drama and greed part…extra emphasis on how important the research part is before heading out there. That way viewers could get a more realistic feel of what it takes to do this kind of thing. Looks to me like the information they didn’t see value in, that we (Colorado Prospector) had to offer could now bite them.

I have never watched the show, only hear about it from what’s posted on the forums here. Sure is different to hear the more realistic side to this reality show though, just wish it was in a better light. Shame because it could have been with some proper research ahead of time.

What a bummer. Named persons could have saved everyone lots of time and money with a $4 land status map. The property mentioned by Marine is clearly marked as private property. It is not only mineral trespass but trespassing as well. That includes the film crew.

Pretty sure land status research doesn't make for a good show or sell commercials. Frankly I wish all of these shows would at least touch on it. Not a high possibility.
It would be nice however if TWC would dedicate at least one episode to Amanda's legal foibles, or just remove them from the series. They are the antithesis of legitimate prospecting. Pretty sure that she and her hubby are the only ones tainting the show. Dirtbags, TWC should know better. On top of the obvious charges it shouldn't be difficult for the claim/property owner(s) to sue them for estimated mineral losses since it is well archived and documented in the series. Very smart of the owner to mark with the orange paint, super strong case. They bragged up and inflated the value of every gem they yanked from there, and televised it in HD. They're toast.... unless TWC is footing the bills. They very well may be, just to keep her on the show. She has a following... but certainly doesn't deserve it anymore. Booooo!
That being said, I can still enjoy the show for what it's worth. Some of the finds are spectacular and I really like a few of the characters. Plus, it's a treat to see it filmed in our state. The show would be fine without Amanda. Find someone to replace her that knows what they are doing and (especially) is actually a legal prospector.
I would also settle for... watching her and hubby getting destroyed in court for mineral trespass. Would be an awesome episode!

I'm with Swizz. Kinda. Sorta. Not really. I mean, this whole charade is giving prospectors like us a bad rap. However, Chris can have Amanda. AFAIC she's, well, uhhh, compared to mining...I'll just shut up. How does that sound?


Seriously though, Dan and Denise and a few others may recall a few years back when I was mapping some of the "unauthorized two-tracks" in an agreement with the USFS as well as a few other chores in the general vicinity of Mts. Antero/White/Princeton etc. and some of the folks I met up there are not just a few fries short of a happy meal, but armed as well.

Something about wearing a USFS hat and staring down the barrel of some old coots 12 gauge because he's too stupid to understand that his so-called private road is really a USFS system road AND county road (shared jurisdiction) and he also does not own the land surrounding the road. Long story short, people get really really weird up there and it's unnerving that they have even a pencil & paper in their hands, not to mention firearms.

Along those lines, I know the Quiet Use Coalition did a lot of damage to roads that prospectors used to access their claims, nothing unfixable, however those eco-terrorists weren't exactly obeying the law. Claim holders were, QUC wasn't, USFS was looking the other way, and I know first hand you cannot expect the Chaffee county sheriff to do much if anything. QUC made several outright physical threats of harm to USFS personnel (myself and several full-timers), the USFS warned them and the CCSO was essentially choking their chickens over it. That is when I started packing heat when I was out there alone. But alas that was almost a decade ago.

Another thing that I think is in CP's archives is a dredge theft in the upper BV area, and I saw that same dredge days later on someone elses' trailer in BV. Had pics, too. I was advised, IIRC here in CP, to tell the sheriff. When I did, Tim Walker, sheriff at the time, asked me what did I expect him to do about it, and when I told him the sequence of events that led up to me calling him, he then advised me to keep my nose out of it, or else. That was, IIRC, before a serious event CP & D are aware of for me there, and I still think that has something to do with how that later incident played out.

Had TWC and Amanda used their heads none of the crap would have gone the direction it did.


One other thing- I'm saying this stuff with the full knowledge the CCSO, BLM, USFS, and QUC are reading this very stuff on this site. And I bet Amanda and TWC are as well (hint to Chris, ya naughty boi!)

Possibly. It would be refreshing to get a response from them regarding their alleged illegal exploits but if it's in litigation I wouldn't expect to hear much from either party.
Naughty? Ya, I still think she's a cutie.

Shouldn't you be plowing something? lol

ZING!

Comment deleted

Back on a more serious note.....

I'm not sure the show would be off the hook either at this point. Seems like this "conflict" has been ongoing for more than two years with TV crews onsite and involved.
If you open all 5 documents Marine posted it seems to me that the claim owner has continually protested the show and digging activities on his claims, but yet they've continued. Even talked it up about "claim jumping" while it seems they may have actually been the "claim jumpers"......Doesn't that seem weird? Or even, dare I say it.....Wrong?!

Will be very interesting to see the "reality" of the situations effects on "reality tv" in this situation.

Actually the show could have avoided the entire mishap by having an outside consultant to verify and help them with the reality of claims and ownership pertaining to them....Oh wait I did offer that, but they didn't find it to be necessary for their shows. Woops!

What's really a bummer is the TV companies (production and broadcast) will more than likely leave her and her husband out to hang for this by themselves all through the fine print of the contract of course. While they'll get 2 or 3 seasons of shows and still make their money on the shows in the end.
Too bad Amanda didn't have more help verifying the claims she bought and worked were not valid to begin with!

Just proof of what I've said in the past, you can't just buy/own a claim if you don't understand the ownership of a mining claim and how it began and works from that point! If you don't understand and try to buy into one you could really set yourself up for a bad situation.

I find it really unnerving all this information about Amanda's mining issues. I use to have a huge crush on her for years. I been buying gems here and there from her for like 8 yrs. The weird thing I noticed from last episode is that Matt guy- her new "security" guard. I admit, I've ahhhed and oooohed at her pretty pictures for years on facebook and I rememeberd him from a lot of her pictures commenting on how hot/beautiful she is. I actually went to check and the comments are still there on tons of her pics. If I were Travis, I wouldnt have a security guard who likes my wife like that hanging around. As far as buying gemstones from her in the future, I'm gonna refrain from that til her mining practices are no longer questioned.

Welcome to CP Goldman!
Definitely appreciate your firsthand perspective regarding Amanda's situation. I also thought it was kinda odd in the last episode that she had a guy there overnight as a "security" person. The rest of the story as you described is just truly bizarre! They also showed them right back at the spray-painted dig again. Who was the guy she was yelling at that was watching them? I can only guess that it might have been the property or claim owner. I didn't quite understand WHY she was yelling at him either. Firing off accusations of claim jumping... when it's possible she's the actual claim jumper in that scene. I'm guessing he might have been collecting evidence, not claim jumping.
In other news... Rich continues to amaze me with his Topaz finds. The other groups are showing nice Aquas too. I still like the show, too bad about the bad eggs and I hope the producers learn a lesson from this.

Thank ya Swizz.

Yeah, besides the bad apples I really enjoy the show. I get why they have her on for the eye candy, but there are other good looking mining gals out there who aren't doing things illegal. On the prospector page, I saw a comment from someone saying that the "claimjumper" was indeed a man who was taking down notes on her. I guess I can try to understand if you have one issue, but I have seen atleast 3 different people saying you claimjumped them? C'mon now. I mean, is she Bill Cosby? How many folks gotta say that you claimjumped them until people start to question it. I don't think any other of the prospectors have been accused. As for Rich, he never ceases to amaze me. That topaz-WOW! Everyone else seems do be doing it right.

funny
I don't need Amanda for eye candy to enjoy that show and I don't think most do. There are definitely other attractive women on the show AND in the general field of prospecting if they are trying to maintain sex appeal, which DOES sell as we all know. You nailed it.
I would appreciate it if TWC would expose the situation but I doubt they will. At the very least, the topic of land status research/confirmation should be touched on or emphasized for educational purposes as Dan and Denise (CP owners) have personally suggested to them. For true prospectors/miners it is the core prerequisite. It wouldn't hurt the show to do this, in fact it would improve it and I bet the claim and property owners up there would very much appreciate it.

And I am one of those accusing her. My apologies to Marine as I stepped up to plate and started slinging the crap on her using information he provided. AFAIC everyone that had access to that should have stepped up instead of sitting and watching what happens. Either Amanda has proof for her side or she’s a claim jumper. No ifs ands or buts about it.


N.
O.

Bill’s better looking.


Just one allegation should be enough, IMO. Such an allegation is a very serious one.

However, there are a couple people here in CP that are fairly quiet about this, as they made indirect allegations of me being a claim jumper. I asked them the simplest questions- “Who What When Where Why”.
Who says it?
What do they have to back it up”
When did this happen?
Where did this happen at?
Why are they inclined to make such an allegation, and even more so if the allegation is untrue?

To date no replies.

If you say it make sure you have something to back yourselves up with.


I know. Nice rock he found, the lucky dawg!


Duuuuuude! TMI! TMI! TMI!


I dunno. I don’t look at it like that. And Chris I think we both know that very very few of the CP members are like that.


I can and will personally vouch for Dan & Denise as the totally coolest miners around. Coming in second it’s a tie between you, Russ, H2O and Leonard. I have met a few shady people here, but they are few and far between.

Are you off your meds again?

Welcome Goldman! I also enjoy the show despite it's shortcomings. All of Rich's Topaz finds are quite amazing. The new stuff he is finding is starting to have the color of Imperial Topaz.
I have been digging in Topaz country for over a decade now and have only found 1 alluvial topaz, but in the process I have found many other minerals.

Uhhh, nope. Got myself a mason jar full of tree squeezin's right here, and lovin' it! Good stuff!

..... ........ tree squeezin?!?!............ no comment.

Maple syrup moonshine, there, Coalbunny?

Lol what a sweet, innocent, logical thought Caveman! I'm envious & need to take a page out of your book. Of course the first thing that runs through my mind is something innuendoed. *sigh*

I'll bet Travis and Amanda are lawyered up as well, we just haven't been privy to their legal position. There's just no way they could know that they're clearly outside of the law and flaunt it so brazenly for the whole world to see. Just makes the whole show more interesting as far as I'm concerned... Hopefully we'll get to watch watch justice in action for whichever side is in the right.

What I want to know is what happened to that Broncato (sp?) fellow from the previous seasons, he was one gung ho son of a gun.

Oh, and Happy New Year everyone and my apologies for not being around much lately!

Edited for dumb spell check mistakes.

I know for a fact they are above the law. The court docs are proof, themselves.

I'm not sure how you interpreted those court documents then.
In a nutshell... this is what I grasped:
The court system found Amanda financially liable and ruled in favor of the plaintiff. Since she forfeited her appearance and the court awarded ALL amounts requested to the plaintiff. That was over $100K in theft, damages, and reclamation.
It doesn't sound like she's "above the law" at all from what I gather, $100K+ is steep. Also a great example that mineral trespass can cost serious amounts of money.

I think he meant outside the law.

I missed the pdf attachments the first time I scanned through this thread and now stand corrected, she clearly knows what's up. If one of the claims in question is indeed the one with orange paint, then I'm more than just a little pissed that the show has led us to believe
something that is totally false. I'll still watch the show, however. The other folks seem to be pretty cool and Rich has got to be the biggest rock nerd on the planet! I also checked out Steve Brancato's Facebook page. That's one interesting dude.

Who knows maybe the production company ponied up the $$ to make this go away?

OklaPony: "Who knows maybe the production company ponied up the $$ to make this go away?"

Wells, a lil birdie told me THAT is exactly what happened, and that she is proud to show pictures of her "lease" on the prospector page occasionaly when someone says that she claimjumped. No one seems to ask her if she is leasing it, why on earth are there documents before warning her to stop tresspassing. And why are there so many different people accusing her of it? Yall don't have to be geniuses to put 2+2 together and figure out how that happened. I wish I HAD someone to give ME over $100,000+ grand for screwin up. She's supposed to be diggin gems, but may be diggin herself in a hole.

http://coloradorocksmining.com/attachments...r_June_2014.pdf This is diffrent than the 1st $100,000 case against her that she lost.