Collecting Artifacts and Fossils on Public Lands Collecting of mineral and fossil resources is prohibited in certain areas being managed under special designations to protect their scientific and natural values, such as Research Natural Areas. You may not collect any artifacts, ancient or historical, on Public Lands without a permit. This includes arrow heads or flakes, pottery or pot sherds, mats, rock art, old bottles or pieces of equipment and buildings. These items are part of our national heritage and scientists are still learning much from them. Human burial remains on both public and private land are protected from collecting by Federal and Colorado State Law.
Some people enjoy using metal detectors as they explore public lands.
They can be used anywhere except on historical sites. Vertebrate Fossils Vertebrates include dinosaurs, mammals, sharks and fish, or any animal with a skeletal structure. You cannot collect vertebrate fossils without a permit from the Bureau of Land Management. Permits are given to people with specific qualifications which include related college education and experience, and a letter from a Bureau of Land Management-approved repository saying they will accept any fossils or artifacts collected. These items must be placed in the repository and cannot be kept by the collector.