Abandoned Mines
Abandoned mine sites are prevalent throughout the state of Colorado and water quality impacts from these abandoned mines is a concern. In an effort to provide the most up to date and comprehensive data regarding draining mines throughout the state, the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment partnered to survey and sample mines across the state.
The information collected through the study and the analytical results are presented through the eRAMS platform.
More information about the effort is available at: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/WQ-Mine-Impacted-Streams-Task-Force
Water Quality Study
Efforts by federal, state, and local entities to assess and address pollution in Colorado are ongoing. The results of the study are presented on the Abandoned Mines Water Quality Webportal. Red locations were visited and have water quality data, photos and completed field survey forms, unless these mines were not discharging water at the time of visitation. Yellow and Green locations provide mine name and locational information.
Abandoned Mine Lands Database
The Colorado Abandoned Mine Lands Database was created through collaboration with multiple state and federal agencies. Additional abandoned mine reclamation information was provided by the Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety. Agencies responsible for the data can be contacted with questions. These agencies include:
- Bureau of Land Management
- Department of Energy (DOE) – Legacy Management
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8
- National Park Service
- USDA Forest Service