Colorado Metal Detecting - Legal Reference

Disclaimer

The information on this page is provided for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations change frequently, and enforcement may vary by jurisdiction. This summary may contain errors or be out of date. Always verify current regulations directly with the appropriate federal, state, or local agency before metal detecting at any location. The creators of Metal Detect Tracker are not attorneys and assume no liability for actions taken based on this information. When in doubt, contact the relevant land management agency or consult a licensed attorney.

The #1 Rule on All Public Land

You CANNOT remove any man-made object over 100 years old from ANY federal or state public land.

Applies to ALL federal lands: BLM, National Forest, National Grassland, National Parks, etc.
Protected items include: pottery, weapons, tools, structures, rock art, graves, human remains, coins, bottles, and any other artifacts over 100 years old
Using a metal detector to locate archaeological remains is subject to ARPA
Even if you find it accidentally, you cannot keep it

Penalties

First offense: Up to $20,000 fine and/or 1 year in prison
Second offense: Up to $100,000 fine and/or 2 years in prison
Confiscation of all equipment (detector, vehicle, tools)
1 year supervised release

Generally ALLOWED with Restrictions

Metal detecting for modern items (under 100 years) is generally allowed
Gold prospecting with a detector is allowed on most BLM land using hand tools
Cannot detect in areas with known archaeological or historic resources
Cannot detect within existing mineral claims without permission
Always check with the local BLM field office for area-specific closures
No permit required for casual recreational use

BLM Colorado State Office

2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO 80215-7076

Phone: (303) 239-3600

Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM M-F

Website: blm.gov/colorado

Allowed as Casual Recreation - BUT Be Careful

Managed by the Forest Service (USFS) - same rules as National Forests
Casual recreational metal detecting is generally allowed
No permit required for recreational use
PROHIBITED in or around known archaeological, cultural, or historic sites
Comanche National Grassland contains petroglyphs dating back 8,000 years - stay well clear of these areas
Cannot dig, excavate, disturb, or damage any prehistoric, historic, or archaeological resources
Contact local district office before detecting to learn about sensitive areas

Pike & San Isabel National Forests / Comanche & Cimarron National Grasslands

Supervisor's Office: 2840 Kachina Dr, Pueblo, CO 81008

Phone: (719) 553-5520

Pawnee National Grassland

Arapaho & Roosevelt NF Supervisor's Office

2150 Centre Ave, Building E, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Phone: (970) 295-6600

Essentially CLOSED to Metal Detecting

State trust lands are closed to the public unless written permission obtained from the State Land Board
Metal detecting is NOT allowed without explicit authorization
Only public access is through CPW hunting/fishing leases on designated parcels
Getting permission for metal detecting is extremely rare

Colorado State Land Board

Website: slb.colorado.gov/public-access

Trust Land Finder: cpw.state.co.us/stl-finder

Generally PROHIBITED

It is prohibited to remove, destroy, mutilate, modify, or deface any object of archaeological, geological, historical, zoological, or natural/environmental value
You may use a metal detector in some state parks BUT cannot remove anything you find
Must request permission from the individual park manager
Permits are not automatically granted

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216

Phone: (303) 297-1192 (Mon-Fri 8 AM - 5 PM MST)

ALLOWED with Landowner Permission

Best option for metal detecting - most permissive
Requires express permission from the property owner or lessee
Once you have permission, you can keep anything you find regardless of age
No ARPA restrictions on private land (100-year rule does NOT apply)
Old ghost towns and homesteads are often on private land - always verify
Failure to get permission = trespassing charges
ALWAYS get written permission - verbal is legal but hard to prove

Tips for Getting Permission

Be polite, explain what you do, offer to show them your finds
Offer to share interesting finds or split valuable ones
Promise to fill all holes and leave the land as you found it
Carry a written permission form they can sign
Check county assessor records to find property owners
Leave a note if nobody's home

Varies by Jurisdiction

Rules vary by county and city
No Colorado cities currently require metal detecting permits
Some city parks may restrict detecting
Example: Colorado Springs prohibits injuring landscaped areas while detecting
Always check local ordinances before detecting on municipal land
Contact the local parks department or city clerk's office

Always get written permission for private land
Fill ALL holes completely - leave no trace
Pack out all trash you dig up (pull tabs, foil, rusty nails)
If you find something that looks historically significant on public land, leave it in place and report it to the land manager
Never detect in cemeteries
If you find human remains, stop immediately and contact law enforcement
Respect closed areas and posted signs
Be an ambassador for the hobby - poor behavior ruins it for everyone
Consider joining a local detecting club for access to group hunts and permissions

Land Type	Detecting OK?	Keep Finds?	Permission Needed?
Private Land	Yes	Yes (all items)	Landowner written consent
BLM Land	Generally yes	Modern items only	Check local office
National Grassland	Casual use yes	Modern items only	Check district office
National Forest	Casual use yes	Modern items only	Check district office
State Parks	Restricted	No	Park manager permission
State Trust Land	No	No	State Land Board (rarely granted)
National Parks	No	No	Prohibited