The best way to go on a gem, mineral or fossil dig is to join one of the 8 gem and mineral clubs in the Denver Metro area. Annual membership for the entire family is usually less than $25. Each club schedules several mining field trips in Colorado each summer. Joining one or more of the clubs is a great way to have family fun as well as learn about a wide variety of gems, minerals and fossils. Their names and contact information are shown below. I’d highly recommend either the Littleton, RAMS, North Jeffco or Flatiron clubs for beginners.
- Colorado Mineral Society (CMS), Lakewood. http://www.coloradomineralsociety.org/
- Denver Gem & Mineral Guild, Denver. http://my.xfinity.com/~DenverGem/
- Flatirons Mineral Club, Boulder. http://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/fmc/
- Friends of Mineralogy. http://friendsofmineralogycolorado.org/
- Littleton Gem & Mineral Club, Littleton. http://www.littletongemandmineralclub.com/
- Mile Hi Rock & Mineral Society (RAMS), Westminster. http://www.milehirams.com/
- North Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club, Arvada. http://www.peaktopeak.com/njeffco/index.php
- Western Interior Paleontology Society (WIPS). http://www.wipsppc.com/
Other Colorado Clubs
- Colorado Springs Mineral Society, Colorado Springs. http://www.csms.us/
- Columbine Gem and Mineral Society, Salida. http://www.rockaholics.org/
- Fort Collins Rockhounds, Fort Collins. http://fortcollinsrockhounds.org/
- Four Corners Gem & Mineral Club, Durango. http://www.durangorocks.org/
- Lake George Gem & Mineral Club, Lake George. http://www.lggmclub.org/
- Pueblo Rockhounds, Pueblo. http://www.pueblorockhounds.com/
Clubs in all States, http://www.ccfms.ca/Online_Resources/usa_clubs1.htm
Hope you have a great time exploring!