1861
Mining Begins in the Ward District
What to know:
Mining activity began in 1861 following the discovery of gold and silver in the mountains west of Boulder. This area is part of the Front Range (or Colorado) Mineral Belt, a linear zone of mineral-rich rock that is coincident with the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. Miners flocked to the area by the thousands, bringing families and establishing communities including Ward, Nederland, and Jamestown. Significant development, manipulation of the land, and impacts to streams and creeks were associated with this activity.
Front Range Mineral Belt in relation to Denver and local features (e.g. Boulder Creek, St. Vrain). The mineral belt involves a series of magma intrusions that came up through the existing land/rock, contributing to formation of the drainages and peaks of the region. Source: USGS Preliminary Precambrian basement map of Colorado.
Photographs of Common Mining Structures and Landforms
Historic view of the town of Ward, Boulder County, Colorado. Photo shows the C & N Hotel, buildings, and mine buildings with tailings. Circa 1900. Source: Denver Public Library Special Collections, X-21255
Town of Ward
Golden Age Mill, ore processing machinery for nearby gold and silver mines, in Boulder County, Colorado. Photo shows a waterwheel, gears, a cam shaft, crushers, a flume, and a stream. Circa 1860-1880). Source: Denver Public Library Special Collections, X-60740.
Golden Age Mill
View of the first Slide mill on the south side of Left Hand Canyon, Boulder County, Colorado. Slide mill is perched on the side of a steep hill with a large tailings pile above it and to the side. In the 1930s, the sixty foot timber wall of the mine’s tailings pond collapsed, dumping tons of material into Left Hand Creek. Circa 1890. Source: Denver Public Library Special Collections, X-61545.
Slide Mill
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1861
Mining Begins in the Ward District
Mining activity began in 1861 following the discovery of gold... -
Late 1800s
Water Quality Issues Reported
Water quality issues were likely occurring since mining began in... -
1896
Captain Jack Mill Construction
Approximately 12 mines were operated in the headwaters area of... -
1992
Captain Jack Mine Closure
After nearly a century of activity under multiple owners at... -
2003
EPA Superfund Designation of Captain Jack
By 2003, Captain Jack Mill was listed on the EPA’s... -
2008
Record of Decision Issued
In 2008, Captain Jack Mill Superfund site completed a final... -
2013
Surface Remediation Completed
The surface remediation occurred from 2011 to 2013. This work... -
2015
Sub-Surface Remediation Began
The Subsurface Remediation began in late 2015. This work aims... -
2018
Emergency Release and Fish Kill Occurred
In October 2018, Left Hand Creek landowners reported a fish... -
2020
Sub-Surface Remediation Continued
After the emergency release and resulting fish kill, the sub-surface... - Future