Colorado is second only to California in the variety of minerals it has within its boundaries. Colorado has over thirty varieties of gems.  There are many opportunities for mineral collecting in Colorado but a person must be careful when evaluating a collecting site.  A given mineeral locality may actually be a staked claim.  Collecting from such a site without permission is stealing.  Access to, and through, private land must be granted by the landowner prior to use.  Please be aware of all federal, state, and local laws; and be sensitive to the landowners wishes.