Colorado

Rockhounding Regulations

General Rules

  • • BLM lands: 25 pounds per day plus one piece, 250 pounds per year limit
  • • Reasonable amounts for personal use only
  • • No commercial collecting without permits
  • • Respect all posted signs and boundaries
  • • Hand tools only

Permits & Licenses

  • • Most areas require no permits for casual collecting
  • • Commercial operations need state permits
  • • Some National Forest areas may require permits

Restrictions

  • • No collecting in National Parks or Monuments
  • • State Parks generally prohibit collecting
  • • Wilderness areas generally prohibited
  • • Some areas closed seasonally for wildlife

Contacts

  • • BLM Colorado: (303) 239-3600
  • • Colorado Parks & Wildlife: (303) 297-1192
  • • Colorado Geological Survey: (303) 384-2850
  • • US Forest Service Rocky Mountain: (303) 275-5350