Colorado Mining Museums
Explore Colorado's rich mining heritage at these excellent museums
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
One of the largest natural history museums in the country with excellent mineral and geology exhibits.
Western Museum of Mining and Industry
Features working machinery from Colorado's mining past and hands-on gold panning.
The National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum
Honors the legacy of American mining with exhibits on the industry's history and technology.
Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum
Excellent gold nugget collection in the Arthur Lakes Library. Great educational resource.
Cripple Creek District Museum
Preserves the history of the Cripple Creek mining district, one of the richest gold camps.
Gilpin County Historical Society and Museum
Documents the rich mining heritage of the Central City and Black Hawk area.
Lowell Thomas Museum
Located in the historic mining town of Victor, honoring the famous journalist born there.
Nederland Historical Society and Museum
Features local mining history from the tungsten and gold mining eras.
Ouray County Historical Society and Museum
Chronicles the mining history of the 'Switzerland of America' and the San Juan Mountains.
Walsenburg Mining Museum
Focuses on the coal mining heritage of southern Colorado.