Documentary
14:44

Discover some of Colorado’s local gold mining towns. I dive in deep to explore the reason why people flock to these mining areas for a wide variety of reasons. Local counties include Boulder, Gilpin, and Clear Creek. 

Grace Reppy

It is my favorite activity to go out and film anything I find interesting. I grew up loving cameras and anything video related. The joy of sitting down to view and then edit your work makes you feel so accomplished. Of course, coming to college, I had to become a film production major and cinema studies minor. I've learned more than I can imagine and expect my growth and aptitude to increase.

Colorado Gold Mining Towns

 

Colorado was a large mining state. After the California Gold Rush, gold was found in the rivers and streams of Colorado from a technique called Placer mining. Mines were popping up all over the state. The film focuses on local mining districts and features ghost towns and current and thriving towns. I traveled to Jamestown, Gold Hill, Salina, Sunset, and Wallstreet, which had the most incredible old history and historic buildings. There you could see remnants of the train tracks from the Switzerland Trail. Plus the dozens of mines, some closed off, others not, simply on the side of the road! I interviewed four well-knowledged mining enthusiasts who all gave credible background information and questions about why people come to mining towns. 

Inside the Phoenix Gold mine, where mining instruments stand

Inside the Phoenix Gold mine, where mining instruments stand.

A milling building that stands right out front of the Phoenix mine entrance in Idaho Springs

A milling building that stands right out front of the Phoenix mine entrance in Idaho Springs

A bright yellow forest of aspen trees right off the road of the town Wallstreet and Sunset Colorado

A bright yellow forest of aspen trees right off the road of the town of Wallstreet and Sunset Colorado 

Caribou Colorado, where a lone building stands from when the town was an active mining district

Caribou Colorado, where a lone building stands from when the town was an active mining district

Inside the Argo tunnel where the water has flooded the mine and is being dumped out

Inside the Argo tunnel, the water has flooded the mine and is being dumped out

This is inside the Argo Mine, a piece of equipment used for grinding down rock and turn to slurry

This is inside the Argo Mine, a piece of equipment used for grinding down rock and turn to slurry

This is an old mine structure next to I-70 in Idaho Springs. It sits next to dozens of other mines both abandoned and functional

This is an old mine structure next to I-70 in Idaho Springs. It sits next to dozens of other mines, both abandoned and functional

Netherland, Colorado. A remembrance statue and flags for the mining district that used to thrive in and around the town in the late 1800s to the 1940s

Netherland, Colorado. A remembrance statue and flags for the mining district that used to thrive in and around the town in the late 1800s to the 1940s