By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 15:00 EST, 27 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 15:36 EST, 27 November 2012 . Though panning for gold might seem like an outdated activity better suited for the rough-and-tumble prospectors of the 19th century, that hasn’t stopped hundreds of people from sifting through gravel and silt, in hopes of striking gold. But in Colorado, residents who have been prospecting through the state’s rivers and creeks for gold dust could be in for an unfavorable change. Lawmakers are considering a ban on harvesting of the precious mineral. Forbidden: Colorado lawmakers are considering a ban on harvesting of gold on city land along with other minerals . Hard day's work: Hours of scooping and sifting often yiled no more than $20 worth of gold dust . Gold panning has experienced a spike in popularity in part because of shows like ‘Gold Rush’ on the Discovery Channel, which depicts people finding fortune within river basins and streams. Officials in Larimer County, Colorado, will vote on banning the retrieval of minerals from city land next month, though recreational prospectors said the motion is unnecessary. ‘There are other issues that the county commissioners, I feel, should be devoting their efforts to,’ Darrell Koleber told 9News. He added that there is little to no gold left in the region. Despite the lack of the precious mineral, many recreational prospectors still sift through mud and sediment – not as a means to gain wealth, but as a pastime. Hobby: Panners say there is little to no gold left in Larimer County, but they keep searching for the thrill of the chase . Chunk of change: Most of the gold prospectors find is barely enough for gas money . He added: ‘I think they’re sticking their nose (sic) in one of the few things we can go out and do and have fun and not spend a lot of money.’ Dan Rieves, the visitor services director for the Department of Natural Resources, told the Denver Post of his organization’s unease. ‘The concern is that we have a patchwork of properties that we manage on someone else’s behalf. The can of worms for us is the mineral rights,’ he told the paper. The environmental factor, he said, was negligible. If commissioners do sign off on the rule change, gold hunting in Larimer County would be banned on any land owned by the Department of Natural Resources. Trend: In 2011, gold prices climbed from $1,388 per ounce to well over $1,700, leveling off by the end of the year at $1,500 . Last year, gold prices climbed from $1,388 per ounce to well over $1,700, leveling off by the end of the year at $1,500. Though the part-time prospectors in Larimer County rarely find even enough gold dust for gas money, many say it’s more the thrill of the chase. Gold panners may find enough dust to make $20 in a day, after hours of scooping and sifting. Gold fever: Gold was discovered in Colorado in 1858 outside of present-day Denver, sparking the Pike¿s Peak gold rush . Gold . was discovered in Colorado in 1858, outside of present-day Denver, . sparking the Pike’s Peak gold rush, creating a fever pitch of excitement . as rumors of abundant wealth ran rampant. John H. Gregory was the . first to find large quantities of gold in May of 1859 near Clear Creek. Back east, men heard stories of Gregory and were quick to respond to . these reports. Long after the minerals were gone, ambitious . prospectors would head out into the rugged landscape to seek their . fortunes, often selling all of their possessions in hope of finding . ounces of the precious ore. Some men kept journals of their plights, . detailing the busy schedule of mining combined with the bitter . disappointment when little gold was found.
Larimer County officials to vote next week to ban taking minerals from county landDigging for gold has become popular pastime for residents, despite relatively low pay-off .
By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 15:00 EST, 27 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 15:36 EST, 27 November 2012 . Though panning for gold might seem like an outdated activity better suited for the rough-and-tumble prospectors of the 19th century, that hasn’t stopped hundreds of people from sifting through gravel and silt, in hopes of striking gold. But in Colorado, residents who have been prospecting through the state’s rivers and creeks for gold dust could be in for an unfavorable change. Lawmakers are considering a ban on harvesting of the precious mineral. Forbidden: Colorado lawmakers are considering a ban on harvesting of gold on city land along with other minerals . Hard day's work: Hours of scooping and sifting often yiled no more than $20 worth of gold dust . Gold panning has experienced a spike in popularity in part because of shows like ‘Gold Rush’ on the Discovery Channel, which depicts people finding fortune within river basins and streams. Officials in Larimer County, Colorado, will vote on banning the retrieval of minerals from city land next month, though recreational prospectors said the motion is unnecessary. ‘There are other issues that the county commissioners, I feel, should be devoting their efforts to,’ Darrell Koleber told 9News. He added that there is little to no gold left in the region. Despite the lack of the precious mineral, many recreational prospectors still sift through mud and sediment – not as a means to gain wealth, but as a pastime. Hobby: Panners say there is little to no gold left in Larimer County, but they keep searching for the thrill of the chase . Chunk of change: Most of the gold prospectors find is barely enough for gas money . He added: ‘I think they’re sticking their nose (sic) in one of the few things we can go out and do and have fun and not spend a lot of money.’ Dan Rieves, the visitor services director for the Department of Natural Resources, told the Denver Post of his organization’s unease. ‘The concern is that we have a patchwork of properties that we manage on someone else’s behalf. The can of worms for us is the mineral rights,’ he told the paper. The environmental factor, he said, was negligible. If commissioners do sign off on the rule change, gold hunting in Larimer County would be banned on any land owned by the Department of Natural Resources. Trend: In 2011, gold prices climbed from $1,388 per ounce to well over $1,700, leveling off by the end of the year at $1,500 . Last year, gold prices climbed from $1,388 per ounce to well over $1,700, leveling off by the end of the year at $1,500. Though the part-time prospectors in Larimer County rarely find even enough gold dust for gas money, many say it’s more the thrill of the chase. Gold panners may find enough dust to make $20 in a day, after hours of scooping and sifting. Gold fever: Gold was discovered in Colorado in 1858 outside of present-day Denver, sparking the Pike¿s Peak gold rush . Gold . was discovered in Colorado in 1858, outside of present-day Denver, . sparking the Pike’s Peak gold rush, creating a fever pitch of excitement . as rumors of abundant wealth ran rampant. John H. Gregory was the . first to find large quantities of gold in May of 1859 near Clear Creek. Back east, men heard stories of Gregory and were quick to respond to . these reports. Long after the minerals were gone, ambitious . prospectors would head out into the rugged landscape to seek their . fortunes, often selling all of their possessions in hope of finding . ounces of the precious ore. Some men kept journals of their plights, . detailing the busy schedule of mining combined with the bitter . disappointment when little gold was found.
November 2012 . Though panning for gold might minerals from city land next month, though little to no gold left in Larimer County, but