Abandoned mines in La Plata County, Colorado

1. Mine openings

   shafts, adits, air shafts, portals and vertical openings: the ways into underground workings
   152 43.2%
2. Prospect pits and trenches

   shallow exploration diggings that never became a mine
   119 33.8%
3. Mines and surface workings

   labelled mines, open pits, strip mines, placer and hydraulic workings
   6 1.7%
4. Quarries, gravel and borrow pits

   construction-material and industrial-mineral extraction
   40 11.4%
5. Dumps, tailings, spoil and gob

   what mining left above ground
   23 6.5%
6. Other reclamation problems

   highwalls, subsidence, polluted or clogged water, fires, slides and gases in OSMRE's inventory
   12 3.4%

A name is the label printed beside the symbol on the map. "First mapped" is the earliest topographic edition that shows the symbol, which bounds the feature's age from above; it is not the date it was worked. Unnamed features (most prospect pits, adits and shafts carry no label) are in the counts above but not this list.

Problem types carry OSMRE's priority prefix: P1 and P2 are threats to health, safety and property, P3 is environmental. A problem area is a cluster of problems reclaimed as one project; several rows can share one location.

1. #205-MVP450

   Surface metal/non-metal · C & J Gravel Products Inc · MSHA ID 0504034
   Abandoned 2024-03-04
2. 1024-624 Crusher

   Surface metal/non-metal · Johnson Construction · MSHA ID 0504065
   Abandoned 1985-08-30
3. 150-2 Burnett/Davis

   Surface metal/non-metal · Burnett Construction Company · MSHA ID 0501337
   Abandoned 1989-04-11
4. 150-3 TRIMBLE/TAULLI

   Surface metal/non-metal · Durango Construction · MSHA ID 0504131
   Abandoned 2001-07-30
5. 2011 Powerscreen

   Surface metal/non-metal · Lucky 7 Company LLC · MSHA ID 0505128
   Abandoned 2020-10-01
6. 4 Corners Plant #3

   Surface metal/non-metal · Crossfire Aggregate Services LLC · MSHA ID 0505032
   Abandoned 2019-06-26
7. Animas Aggregates

   Surface metal/non-metal · Animas Aggregates Inc · MSHA ID 0502708
   Abandoned 1986-02-28
8. Barnes

   Surface metal/non-metal · Colorado Department Of Highways · MSHA ID 0503401
   Abandoned 1979-10-09
9. Beaston

   Surface metal/non-metal · Colorado Department Of Highways · MSHA ID 0503402
   Abandoned 1980-01-03
10. Blue Flame Coal Mine

    Underground coal · Blue Flame Coal Company · MSHA ID 0502303
    Abandoned and Sealed 1999-08-05
11. BROWN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION

    Surface metal/non-metal · Brown Brothers Construction · MSHA ID 0504121
    Abandoned 2006-02-22
12. Burnwell #1

    Underground coal · Sundance Coal Company · MSHA ID 0500264
    Abandoned 1971-02-12
13. C&J PORTABLE 2

    Surface metal/non-metal · C & J Gravel Products Inc · MSHA ID 0504677
    Abandoned 2001-04-17
14. Carbon Junction Mine

    Surface coal · Oakridge Energy Inc · MSHA ID 0503683
    Abandoned 1999-08-05
15. Coal Gulch

    Surface coal · Peerless Resources Inc · MSHA ID 0503134
    Abandoned 1988-05-09
16. CobraTrak Model 1100II Crushing Plant

    Surface metal/non-metal · C & J Gravel Products Inc · MSHA ID 0504931
    Abandoned 2009-12-10
17. Crader Pit

    Surface metal/non-metal · La Plata County Road & Bridge Department · MSHA ID 0504142
    Abandoned 1987-08-04
18. Craig

    Surface metal/non-metal · Colorado Department Of Highways · MSHA ID 0503403
    Abandoned 1980-01-03
19. Craig Pit

    Surface metal/non-metal · Nielsons Inc · MSHA ID 0503289
    Abandoned 1980-02-14
20. CRUSH #1/#2

    Surface metal/non-metal · Hocker Construction · MSHA ID 0504413
    Abandoned 1996-11-15
21. CRUSH #3

    Surface metal/non-metal · Hocker Construction, LLP · MSHA ID 0504456
    Abandoned 2012-02-06
22. Cumberland-Monitor

    Underground metal/non-metal · Cumberland Resources Inc · MSHA ID 0503678
    Abandoned 1988-12-02
23. Cunningham Tunnel

    Underground metal/non-metal · Myron Cherry · MSHA ID 0502748
    Abandoned 1979-05-01
24. DURANGO GRAVEL INC.

    Surface metal/non-metal · Durango Gravel Inc · MSHA ID 0504689
    Abandoned 2004-10-25
25. DURANGO GRAVEL J&J PIT

    Surface metal/non-metal · Durango Gravel · MSHA ID 0504517
    Abandoned 2013-07-08
26. DURANGO SECTION 03

    Surface metal/non-metal · Colorado Department Of Transportation · MSHA ID 0503447
    Abandoned 1999-10-13
27. FCM Rental Crusher

    Surface metal/non-metal · Four Corners Materials · MSHA ID 0505177
    Abandoned 2024-04-16
28. Gosney Crusher

    Surface metal/non-metal · Gosney & Sons Inc · MSHA ID 0504044
    Abandoned 2006-05-30
29. Gosney Wash Plant

    Surface metal/non-metal · Gosney & Sons Inc · MSHA ID 0504772
    Abandoned 2006-05-31
30. Hay Gulch #1 & #2

    Surface coal · C & F Coal Company · MSHA ID 0503452
    Abandoned 1979-05-24
31. Hesperus No 4

    Underground coal · Hesperus Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 0500265
    Abandoned 1974-08-29
32. Hesperus No 5 Strip Mine

    Surface coal · Hesperus Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 0501369
    Abandoned 1972-06-06
33. Hocker Ignacio Pit

    Surface metal/non-metal · Hocker Construction LLP · MSHA ID 0504877
    Abandoned 2013-12-07
34. Ignacio Gravel #2

    Surface metal/non-metal · Gosney & Sons Inc · MSHA ID 0504045
    Abandoned 1985-06-04
35. Impact Crusher

    Surface metal/non-metal · Crossfire Aggregate Services LLC · MSHA ID 0505017
    Abandoned 2020-12-08
36. Incas

    Underground metal/non-metal · Northern Minerals Inc · MSHA ID 0504222
    Abandoned 1988-04-22
37. Incas Mine

    Surface metal/non-metal · Deadwood Gulch Mining Co · MSHA ID 0504921
    Abandoned 2009-07-16
38. INGNACIO PIT

    Surface metal/non-metal · Mouache-Capote Construction Company · MSHA ID 0504550
    Abandoned 1998-11-18
39. King I

    Underground coal · GCC Energy LLC · MSHA ID 0500266
    Abandoned and Sealed 2009-03-09
40. King III

    Underground coal · GCC Energy · MSHA ID 0505119
    Abandoned 2022-03-30
41. La Plata #1

    Underground coal · La Plata Coal Corp · MSHA ID 0503133
    Abandoned and Sealed 1999-08-05
42. LA PLATA WASH PLANT

    Surface metal/non-metal · Western Mobile Four Corners Division · MSHA ID 0504118
    Abandoned 1997-04-14
43. Lemon Pit

    Surface metal/non-metal · Burnett Construction Company · MSHA ID 0503423
    Abandoned 1982-10-13
44. Lemon Pit

    Surface metal/non-metal · Price Construction · MSHA ID 0503459
    Abandoned 1980-04-24
45. Mason Mine

    Underground metal/non-metal · Colorado Mining Properties Inc · MSHA ID 0504408
    Abandoned 1989-09-11
46. Mayday - Idaho Mine

    Underground metal/non-metal · Sunrise Mining, LLC · MSHA ID 0503674
    Abandoned 2017-03-11
47. Morse Sand And Gravel Pit

    Surface metal/non-metal · Morse Sand & Gravel · MSHA ID 0501012
    Abandoned 1983-10-27
48. Neglected

    Underground metal/non-metal · Mine Development Inc · MSHA ID 0503867
    Abandoned 1985-07-08
49. Oro Plata Mill

    Facility metal/non-metal · Stewart Operation & Construction · MSHA ID 0503756
    Abandoned 1988-04-15
50. P9ortable Conveyor Plant P11-6621

    Surface metal/non-metal · Colorado Department Of Highways · MSHA ID 0504319
    Abandoned 1989-08-01
51. Peacock Mine

    Underground coal · Peacock Coal Company · MSHA ID 0500268
    Abandoned 1976-09-30
52. Perkins Pit

    Surface metal/non-metal · Burnett Construction Company · MSHA ID 0504038
    Abandoned 1985-07-08
53. Pioneer # One

    Surface metal/non-metal · Neil's Excavation & General Contracting Inc · MSHA ID 0504842
    Abandoned 2010-07-09
54. Pioneer #2

    Surface metal/non-metal · Neils Excavation · MSHA ID 0504883
    Abandoned 2018-10-23
55. Pioneer #3

    Surface metal/non-metal · Neils Excavation & Gen Contracting · MSHA ID 0504934
    Abandoned 2011-01-10
56. Pioneer 4

    Surface metal/non-metal · Neil's Excavation & Gen Contracting, Inc · MSHA ID 0504964
    Abandoned 2011-08-09
57. Portable Conveyor Plant P11-6607

    Surface metal/non-metal · Colorado Department Of Highways · MSHA ID 0504327
    Abandoned 1989-07-26
58. Portable Conveyor Plant P11-6633

    Surface metal/non-metal · Colorado Department Of Highways · MSHA ID 0504321
    Abandoned 1989-08-01
59. Portable Crusher #1

    Surface metal/non-metal · Fire Hawk Contractors Inc. · MSHA ID 0504738
    Abandoned 2003-06-25
60. Portable Gosney Crusher 2

    Surface metal/non-metal · Gosney & Sons Inc · MSHA ID 0504826
    Abandoned 2005-08-04
61. RED ROCK

    Surface metal/non-metal · Red Rock Excavation · MSHA ID 0504667
    Abandoned 2001-03-16
62. Rip Rap Plant

    Surface metal/non-metal · Sky Ute Sand & Gravel, LLC · MSHA ID 0504901
    Abandoned 2009-07-16
63. Rowe Mill

    Facility metal/non-metal · Rowe Milling · MSHA ID 0504254
    Abandoned 1990-10-02
64. Scott Pit

    Surface metal/non-metal · United Companies · MSHA ID 0504484
    Abandoned 2013-08-02
65. Screening Plant #1

    Surface metal/non-metal · Kirkland Construction · MSHA ID 0504248
    Abandoned 1989-09-13
66. Screening Plant #1

    Surface metal/non-metal · Nielsons Inc · MSHA ID 0504261
    Abandoned 1989-09-05
67. Shalako #1 Mine

    Underground coal · Sackett Mining Company · MSHA ID 0503250
    Abandoned and Sealed 1986-03-03
68. Specialty Crusher

    Surface metal/non-metal · Oldcastle SW Group Inc. · MSHA ID 0503422
    Abandoned 2003-06-30
69. Sunnyside Pit

    Surface metal/non-metal · Sunnyside Gravel & Excavation · MSHA ID 0504249
    Abandoned 1991-09-23
70. Thomas Pit

    Surface metal/non-metal · Animas Aggregates Inc · MSHA ID 0503822
    Abandoned 1983-10-27
71. Toltec & Granger

    Underground metal/non-metal · Toltec & Granger Mining Corp · MSHA ID 0504239
    Abandoned 1988-03-14
72. WASH PLANT #1

    Surface metal/non-metal · Lafarge Four Corners · MSHA ID 0504695
    Abandoned 2002-07-31
73. WASH PLANT #2

    Surface metal/non-metal · Mountain Gravel & Construction Company · MSHA ID 0504580
    Abandoned 1998-05-05

Status and date are as reported to MSHA by the operator. Each mine's own page carries its accident, citation and inspection record.

• San Juan County 3,913
• Lake County 3,672
• Gunnison County 2,703
• Saguache County 2,319
• San Miguel County 2,242
• Gilpin County 2,148
• Montrose County 2,077
• Custer County 2,062
• Clear Creek County 1,996
• Park County 1,624
• Chaffee County 1,486
• Summit County 1,449

1. USGS, Consolidated Prospect- and Mine-Related Features from 7.5- and 15-Minute Topographic Quadrangle Maps of the United States (USMIN)
   597,612 point and area features digitized from about 106,350 historical topographic maps published 1886–2006; public domain (CC0). A feature is a map symbol, not a field-verified site, and the map does not say whether it was still worked.
2. USGS Fact Sheet 2025–3003, The Abandoned Mine Inventory of the United States
   States that as of 2025 there is no comprehensive national inventory of abandoned mine features, and that the detailed national database now being built will not be published.
3. OSMRE, Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System (e-AMLIS), public Problems layer
   One row per abandoned mine land problem in a problem area, with its type, funding program and reclamation status; mostly coal mined before the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Coordinates are the problem area's.
4. MSHA, Mines dataset (Mine Data Retrieval System)
   Every mine registered with MSHA since the 1970s; a mine reads Abandoned or Abandoned and Sealed when its operator reported that status. Refreshed weekly.
5. US Census Bureau, 2023 cartographic county boundaries (1:500,000)
   Each feature's county is assigned by its coordinates against these boundaries, not copied from the source file.
6. GAO-20-238, Abandoned Hardrock Mines (March 2020)
   Federal agencies had identified at least 140,000 abandoned hardrock mine features on federal land and estimated more than 390,000 more not yet captured in their databases.
7. Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation (AHMR) Program, US Department of the Interior
   The program the USGS inventory is compiled for. Its appropriations and the 674,000 field-confirmed feature count on this page were provided by the program manager, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, and are cited with permission (2026-09-08).
8. IMCC-NAAMLP Hardrock AML Report
   Page 48 carries the two figures this page leans on: USGS estimates 633,181 of the 725,690 mine features it recorded from historic topographic maps, 87 percent, are hardrock; and state and federal agencies have submitted more than 724,000 AML features to the national database being built, already more than the historic maps hold. Year-by-year AHMR funding is on page 35.