Contact an Archaeologist

Preserve Rollins Pass facilitates straightforward access to area experts—including the ability to contact an archaeologist, as there are many interested parties who have a vested interest in preserving the heritage of Rollins Pass in Colorado. Should any historic or prehistoric item be found on or very near the pass, please leave the item in place (don’t pocket the past) and fill out the form below or contact us by emailing authors@preserverollinspass.org, and your message will be forwarded to area experts, including professional archaeologist Dr. Jason LaBelle, US Forest Service archaeologists, as well as to the State Historic Preservation Office.

Context is everything: leave all artifacts; take only photographs

Archaeology provides the “why” to the story that is so important to understanding, enriching, and unlocking the mysteries of the past. Whereas much is known about the railroad, there is still much to be learned from the abandoned can dumps, wrecks, and other historic debris that did not make it into newspaper articles, books, company records, or photographs. As for the Native American record on Rollins Pass, that simply cannot be known through any other means but archaeology. Learn more about Preserve Rollins Pass and our Leave No Trace guidance that encourages the responsible tourist to take care of the pass and its rich history for the next generation.

As the saying goes, “take only photographs, leave only footprints.” Each artifact has important scientific and cultural value and theft harms the historical record of accomplishments made on this beloved pass. Please preserve the area for future generations and share discoveries with those researchers dedicated to telling the story of this important place.

Please—do not collect, take, or sell anything that you find on or near the pass. All artifacts—from the prehistoric to the historic—are objects of antiquity and are protected by many cultural laws. The pass contains countless treasures, which are being studied and documented by universities and government agencies. Many artifacts are preserved in Colorado State University’s repository, held for the public trust.

As Indiana Jones famously said, ‘It belongs in a museum!’ Selling artifacts collected or found on Rollins Pass is not only illegal but also robs us all of a shared history that cannot be replaced. These treasures tell the rich story of Rollins Pass and must remain protected and accessible to the public—not hidden away in private collections. Even worse, artifacts in private hands are often discarded or destroyed when owners pass away, tire of them, or lose them to fire or other unforeseen events. By preserving these items through proper channels, we ensure they remain part of the public trust, safeguarding the legacy of this remarkable region for generations to come.

Rollins Pass is considered a sacred area for both the Nuuchu (Ute) and the Nookhose’iinenno (Arapaho) tribes.

Can on Rollins Pass filled with Time — A solder-dot can on Rollins Pass—filled with time and left behind, in place, for the next generation to re-discover.

Sensitive archaeological locations and sites will remain undisclosed to protect them from potential damage. Revealing their locations could make them vulnerable, as they may hold cultural significance or valuable scientific insights.

METAL DETECTING POLICIES

Rollins Pass includes both U.S. Forest Service and private lands and the use of metal detectors is prohibited without a special use permit. Unauthorized detecting or removal of artifacts may violate federal law and landowner rights, regardless of intent. There are restrictions to metal detecting on public lands in place to protect historical remains.

The Code of Federal Regulations, (36 CFR 261.9) states, “The following are prohibited: (g) Digging in, excavating, disturbing, injuring, destroying, or in any way damaging any prehistoric, historic, or archaeological resources, structure, site, artifact, or property. (h) Removing any prehistoric, historic, or archaeological resources, structure, site, artifact, property.”

The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA, 16 U.S.C. 470cc:) also prohibits these activities, stating, “No person may excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface or attempt to excavate, remove, damage or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resources located on public lands or Indian lands unless such activity is pursuant to a permit…” ARPA does not allow unrestricted coin collecting. The law only exempts the collection of coins when they are clearly modern and not associated with any archaeological site. If coins are found in a historic-period context—such as near foundations, wagon roads, railroad remnants, or Indigenous features—they are considered archaeological resources and are fully protected under law. (Example: A modern coin found deep in the forest with no nearby structures may be recent and isolated. However, a coin discovered near a collapsed snowshed, a stone cabin foundation, or along a documented wagon or railroad route is likely part of a broader archaeological site, even if it appears recent, and must not be removed. Under federal law, any object over 50 years old that holds archaeological interest is protected—regardless of appearance or condition. As of summer 2025, that includes anything from 1975 or earlier—whether it looks “old” or not.)

These laws apply to all National Forest System land and do not vary from state to state.

Three forms of metal detector use are recognized:

Searching for treasure trove: Treasure trove is defined as money, uncounted gems, or precious metals in the form of coin, plate, or bullion that has been deliberately hidden with the intention of recovering it later. This use requires a special use permit from the US Forest Service.
Prospecting: Using a metal detector to locate gold or other mineral deposits is permitted subject to the General Mining Law of 1872. A Notice of Intent (36 CFR 228 A) is required for prospecting, and metal detectors may be used in this activity. Prospecting that involves land disturbance also requires the filing of a mining plan of operations. People who use metal detectors for this activity should bear in mind that many of the mineralized lands within the NFS have been “claimed” by others who have sole right to prospect and develop the mineral resourced found on the claim. A search of County and Bureau of Land Management records should be made prior to prospecting to determine if an area has been claimed.
Searching for historic or prehistoric artifacts: Using a metal detector to locate archaeological or historical remains is subject to the Antiquities Act of 1906 and the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 as amended and requires a special use permit. Such permits are granted for scientific research only by the US Forest Service.

These restrictions apply across the entire Rollins Pass region—this means no coin hunting, metal detecting, or treasure hunting activities at Arrow, the summit of the pass, the Boulder Wagon Road, Jenny Lake, Yankee Doodle Lake, Ladora, East Portal, Tolland, and all surrounding areas. No exceptions exist for specific locations on public land, where federal protections apply. On private land, any such activity requires the explicit, direct permission of the landowner. Additionally, state laws may protect historic or archaeological resources on private property, and some areas may carry further local protections. Despite what some websites may suggest, these protections are not optional, flexible, or open to interpretation—they are rooted in federal and state law. Always verify claims with official sources before engaging in any activity that could impact protected sites.

I know I must leave behind all artifacts—especially Native American artifacts—what’s the best way to obtain replicas?

Mammoth Run Lithic Casting, per their website, “provides high quality lithic casts of high plains artifacts along with artifacts from other regions of the country. [They] have an inventory of over 850 molds that include points from many important sites including: Agate Basin, Casper, Fenn cache, Finley, Horner, Hudsen-Meng, Blackwater Draw, Colby, Lindenmeier, Westfall, Hawkins, Scoggins, Medicine Lodge Creek and others. [They] also have a number of Folsom and Clovis casts available of points that were found in and along the South Platte River and other areas of eastern Colorado, western Nebraska and Wyoming.” Their rates are reasonable, product quality is excellent, and leaving the real artifacts behind at a location to be professionally studied is the best way to preserve these non-renewable resources for future generations and visitors.

Here’s an example of their craftsmanship: a side-by-side comparison of a cast displayed alongside the original. Can you tell which is which? For just $24, you can preserve the priceless original in its rightful place—a true win-win.

THE FOREWORD TO OUR FIRST BOOK ON ROLLINS PASS BY JASON M. LABELLE, PHD

The historian Marshall Sprague once wrote of the “Great Gates” guarding the rugged Rocky Mountains and their importance to history. These gates were passes—serving to funnel humans and animals across the mountains and conveniently from one drainage to the next. Rollins Pass of the Colorado Front Range certainly deserves company among the list of Great Gates defining the history of the American West.

In this well-illustrated and researched work, Travis and Kate Wright lead the reader through the history of Rollins Pass—from ancient Native American hunting sites spanning the last several thousand years, to the building of the first roads across the divide in the 1870s, and then later to the construction of the near-mythic Moffat Road in the early 20th century and subsequent use by both railroad workers and train tourists. Today, Rollins Pass is a popular spot for fishing and hiking as well as enjoying nature and history. The many images in this book, and the stories behind them, document just a fraction of the ways humans have used this special place.

I would like to ask the reader a big favor: love and cherish this place as do the Wrights. Explore and enjoy the many lakes and trails within the Indian Peaks and James Peak Wilderness Areas but travel lightly. Think about the immense time humans have used this fragile place, and learn to appreciate how you can visit and contemplate this history. Glimpses of the past can be seen in the artifacts and ruins of structures left scattered across the pass. Enjoy them for what they are, as ways for you to reflect on the past and to also think about your personal present. If you find artifacts, please leave them where they are, taking only photographs to document their presence and sharing this information with interested archaeologists, historians, and land managers. Together, we can piece together new chapters regarding this most magnificent of places and assure that future generations can also visit and appreciate the things that have made Rollins Pass a “Great Gate” for many millennia.

—Jason M. LaBelle, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology Director
Center for Mountain and Plains Archaeology, Colorado State University
President, Colorado Council of Professional Archaeologists (2017–2018)
Past President, Colorado Archaeological Society

PRESERVATION PARAMETERS: ROLLINS PASS (CORONA PASS) AREA FOCUS

Please note that we can only assist with matters related to the immediate Rollins Pass area in Colorado. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide support or expertise for issues or discoveries outside this specific region. For inquiries outside of the Rollins Pass area, we kindly ask you to reach out to local authorities or relevant organizations in the specific location, as our resources are focused on preserving the heritage of Rollins Pass. Additionally, we cannot assist with artifacts that have been removed from their original context. The location and surrounding environment of an artifact are crucial for proper archaeological study and preservation. When artifacts are taken from their original site, valuable information is lost, making it challenging to accurately understand their historical significance. Our mission and resources are dedicated solely to the preservation and protection of Rollins Pass and its historical significance. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in ensuring that our efforts remain concentrated on this unique and important site.

Thank you for your interest in Rollins Pass! While there are no dinosaur bones or fossils in this area, we welcome any questions about the area’s rich history and preservation. Additionally, we are unable to provide support or expertise for issues or discoveries outside this specific region. For inquiries outside of the Rollins Pass area, we kindly ask you to reach out to local authorities or relevant organizations in the specific location, as our resources are focused on preserving the heritage of Rollins Pass. We ask that you avoid misusing this resource, as it hinders our ability to process valid and actionable requests efficiently. We appreciate your understanding and enthusiasm.

HOW TO PROVIDE US WITH PRECISE COORDINATES

While GPS coordinates are always a reliable and precise way to share a location, they can sometimes feel cumbersome or intimidating to the average person. A more user-friendly alternative for reporting artifacts or historical sites to us is what3words, an innovative tool that divides the globe into 3-meter squares, assigning each square a unique combination of three simple words. This system makes it incredibly easy to pinpoint and share precise locations, even in remote areas like Rollins Pass. By using what3words, you can help us accurately locate and document artifacts or sites of historical significance, ensuring they are preserved and protected for future generations.

For example, the three-panel kiosk located at the summit of Rollins Pass can be easily pinpointed using what3words. By entering the unique address jumper.desirability.contracted, anyone can instantly identify its exact location on the map, down to a precise 3-meter square. This innovative system eliminates the need for lengthy GPS coordinates and provides a simple, memorable way to report or share locations. Tools like what3words are especially valuable for identifying remote landmarks and ensuring accurate communication, making it easier to locate and protect significant features of the pass.