What are some places to pan for gold in Colorado?

Colorado visitors can try their hand at panning for gold at the Phoenix Gold Mine in Idaho Springs, the Old Hundred Gold Mine in Silverton or the Country Boy Mine in Breckinridge. In the historic town of Fairplay, visitors must obtain permits before panning in the South Platte River.

Tourists can also pan for gold in many public rivers. Visitors should be aware that the state prohibits panning in some waterways, including portions of the Arkansas River. Most other streams and rivers overseen by the Bureau of Land Management Public Lands allow visitors to pan without any special permits. To pan on private property, visitors must first obtain permission of the landowner.