Searching for Colorado agates takes a steady eye and some understanding of the land. These stones lie scattered through riverbeds, plains, and rocky slopes, shaped by centuries of erosion and shifting sediment.
Without a plan, the sheer amount of ground to cover can be discouraging. Focusing on areas where agates naturally collect, such as gravel bars, old stream channels, and exposed hillsides, saves time and effort.
Finding one half-buried in the soil can stop you in your tracks. Each piece reflects layers of mineral change that unfolded over thousands of years.
Once you know how to read the terrain, locating agates in Colorado becomes far more deliberate. Bit by bit, a personal collection grows from what the landscape quietly offers.
What is Colorado Agate?
Agate has bands, swirls, and spots of different colors that make it stand out. Silica from groundwater slowly builds up and layers in the cracks of igneous rocks or fossilized wood to make these complicated patterns.
Each agate is different because the transparency and color of these bands can vary. Its colors and patterns can be affected by things like mineral impurities, changes in the environment, and changes in pressure.
The price and value of agates can change depending on many things, which you can read in our article. Some agates are very rare and beautiful, so collectors and people who like to wear jewelry pay a lot for them.
Blue Lace Agate
Blue lace agate is like the soft, sky-blue waves with lines that swirl and twist like delicate lace.
Its pattern comes from slow-forming layers of quartz, which create those beautiful, lace-like bands.
The bands of this agate type are often in shades of light blue, white, and sometimes a bit of grey. It’s different from other agates, which usually have more intense colors and stronger patterns.
The value of blue lace agate lies in its soft, tranquil look and the feeling of calm it brings. It’s often used in jewelry or as a decorative stone.
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Moss Agate
Instead of having the typical banding for which the different types of agates are known, moss agate has green inclusions that look like moss or trees.
These green patterns aren’t real plant material, though. They’re minerals like chlorite or iron oxide.
In some cultures, this type of agate is known as the “gardener’s stone” because of its green, plant-like appearance. It’s believed to help plants grow.
The price of moss agate can vary. It’s often quite affordable, but the more distinct and picturesque the green patterns, the more it might cost.
Fire Agate
Fire agate is known for its incredible colors and the way it sparkles like fire. It’s got layers of silica and iron oxide that reflect light, creating a fiery effect.
When you look at fire agate, it’s like seeing flames trapped inside. Its colors can range from reds and oranges to greens and golds, all shimmering under the surface.
You might be wondering, “What is fire agate worth?” Well, its value comes from its rare beauty. The more color and sparkle, the more valuable the stone is.
Its fiery iridescence and lively play of color are used in jewelry pieces that are meant to stand out.
Dendritic Agate
Dendritic agate is known for patterns that look like tiny trees or shrubs. Like moss agate, these patterns aren’t actual plants. They’re made of minerals, mostly manganese or iron oxides.
When you look at a dendritic agate, it’s like peering into a miniature forest or a frosty winter landscape.
The base of the stone is usually translucent to opaque, and the “dendrites”— those tree-like patterns— are often black or brown.
When it comes to how much dendritic agate is worth, it can vary. The more detailed and distinct the patterns are, the more it’s usually valued.
In some cultures, dendritic agate is believed to bring fullness and richness to life.
Crazy Lace Agate
Crazy lace agate is like a party in a rock! It’s got swirls, circles, and all sorts of wild patterns dancing across it.
Its colors can be a mix of red, orange, yellow, and brown, and sometimes even a bit of gray or white.
What makes crazy lace agate stand out is its vibrant and complex patterns. No two pieces are the same. This distinctiveness is a big reason why it’s so valued.
Despite its wild and ‘crazy’ appearance, it’s sometimes called the “Laughter Stone” or “Happy Lace” because of the joy and positive vibes it’s believed to bring.
Laguna Agate
Laguna agate has incredibly sharp and fine banding. It has layers of red, orange, pink, yellow, and sometimes even purple and white all stacked in neat, tight bands.
These bands can form eye-catching patterns, like swirls, loops, and even landscapes.
The different colors of its bands come from various minerals present in the water at the time of its formation.
Laguna agate is considered one of the finest agates in the world due to its exceptional banding. This high regard among agate varieties makes it a prized possession for collectors.
Condor Agate
Condor agate is a real standout. It’s known for its bright, vivid colors and complex patterns.
It has reds, oranges, yellows, and sometimes even blues and greens all swirling together. These colors form in bands or in more random, artistic patterns.
The intensity and variety of its colors is what makes condor agate so special. It’s often used by artists and craftsmen who want to make a statement with their work.
Condor agate’s bold colors and patterns can turn a simple piece of jewelry or art into something really eye-catching.
Fortification Agate (Banded Agate)
Fortification agate gets its name because the patterns inside it look like the aerial view of a fortified city.
Imagine seeing bands of color forming shapes that look like walls, with sharp angles and curves. They are usually in different colors, making each layer stand out.
If fortification agate is valuable, it’s because of its distinct patterns and colors. Its unique look makes it sought after for jewelry and as a collector’s item.
The clearer and more defined the patterns, the more valuable the stone can be. Some people also believe it can help with relaxation and calmness.
Iris Agate
Iris agate looks like a regular agate at first, but when you hold it up to the light, something amazing happens. It shows all these rainbow colors, like light passing through a prism.
This is because it has very thin layers of silica, and when light hits these layers, it splits into all the colors of the rainbow.
The formation of iris agate is similar to other agates, but its layers are super thin, which is what creates the rainbow effect.
The value of iris agate comes from its unique ability to show these colors. In the past, people even used to think it had magical properties because of the way it showed colors. They saw it as a stone of good luck and wonder.
Plume Agate
Plume agate gets its name from its patterns that look like soft, feathery plumes. These plumes can be in all sorts of colors: red, black, green, or yellow, set against a translucent or opaque background.
The way these plumes seem to float in the stone makes it look like a frozen underwater scene or like feathers caught in a breeze.
The plumes are made of minerals like manganese or iron oxide, which get trapped in the silica during the agate’s formation and create the feathery patterns.
The price of plume agate can vary depending on how clear and intricate the patterns are. The more detailed and colorful the plumes, the more the stone is usually worth.
Picture Agate (Scenic Agate)
Picture agate is like a snapshot of nature captured in stone because it looks like it has pictures or scenes right inside it.
These “pictures” are actually natural patterns that resemble landscapes, mountains, trees, or even skies. They are usually in different shades of brown, white, and gray against a more translucent background.
The different patterns in picture agate or what’s also called scenic agate are made by various minerals in the water filled with silica that forms it.
If you’re thinking, “What is picture agate worth?“, its value comes from how distinct, clear, and detailed the natural “pictures” are.
Turritella Agate
Turritella agate is not your typical agate because it’s full of fossilized snail shells! The shells belong to a creature called Turritella, a type of sea snail.
These shells are tightly packed and create a pattern that looks like a bunch of tiny, swirling towers. The background of the agate is usually a dark, earthy color, which makes the white or cream-colored snail shells really pop.
Over millions of years, these snail shells got buried in sediment and eventually became fossilized. As time went on, silica-rich water flowed through the sediment, turning it into the agate we see today.
The value of turritella agate comes from its unique blend of geology and history. More than a pretty stone, it’s a piece of ancient life preserved in rock.
Fairburn Agate
Known for its intricate patterns and bold colors, Fairburn agate is another fascinating type of agate. It usually has bands and swirls of different colors like red, yellow, orange, brown, and sometimes even pink or purple.
What’s special about these patterns is they often look like they’re in layers, creating a 3D effect. It’s like looking at a landscape made of stone.
It’s named after a place called Fairburn in South Dakota. This gives a clue about where it was first discovered.
People value Fairburn agate for the skill it takes to cut and polish it, which makes the patterns and colors really stand out.
Sagenite Agate
Sagenite agate has needle-like inclusions that look like tiny sprays of crystals inside it. They can be gold, silver, black, or even green, and they spread out in all directions, creating an amazing pattern.
The base of the agate is usually translucent, which lets you see these intricate needle patterns clearly.
These patterns are actually other minerals, like rutile or goethite, that get trapped inside the forming agate. These minerals grow in a crystal shape, looking like needles or hair.
Sagenite agate is often used in jewelry and other decorative items, with some people thinking that its needle patterns look like fireworks or starbursts.
Tree Agate
Tree agate, as its name suggests, looks like it’s got tiny trees or branches inside it. These tree-like patterns are usually green and spread out against a white or light gray background.
The green patterns aren’t actual trees, though. They’re made of minerals like chlorite or manganese.
Each piece of tree agate is different. You won’t find two that are exactly the same. It’s valued for its looks and it’s often used in jewelry and decorations.
The key factors in our recommendations are:
- The deep experience and understanding of our team about the area
- Recommendations from local groups and clubs
- How easy it is to get the a particular location
- Safety and potential hazards when collecting
- Weighing private and public locations
- The ability for both experienced and novice agate enthusiasts to find great samples
With these factors in mind we’ve been able to put together a fantastic list that just about anyone can use!
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The Best Spots To Find Agates in Colorado
We enumerate the great locations where you can find agates in the state. There are many fun places to find gems in Colorado, but not all have agates.
Always Confirm Access and Collection Rules!
Before heading out to any of the locations on our list you need to confirm access requirements and collection rules for both public and private locations directly with the location. We haven’t personally verified every location and the access requirements and collection rules often change without notice.
Many of the locations we mention will not allow collecting but are still great places for those who love to find beautiful rocks and minerals in the wild without keeping them. We also can’t guarantee you will find anything in these locations since they are constantly changing.
Always get updated information directly from the source ahead of time to ensure responsible rockhounding. If you want even more current options it’s always a good idea to contact local rock and mineral clubs and groups
Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument has a lot of geological and paleontological history. It’s on the border between Colorado and Utah. The monument is best known for its many dinosaur fossils but has a beautiful landscape with many different types of rocks and minerals.
Geological formations here show a mix of colorful layers shaped by erosion over millions of years to tell stories about the past. Agates formed in the same environment that kept dinosaur bones from breaking down.
Where we found agates at Dinosaur National Monument
With the right help and maybe the company of experienced rock hunters, you can search the monument’s large and beautiful land for these natural treasures.
This site is exciting for people interested in geology and paleontology because it has agates and many fossils.
Middle Park
Middle Park is a basin in the middle of Colorado, between two beautiful mountain ranges. This area is popular with rockhounds because it has beautiful views and a wide range of geological formations.
Agates are one of many semiprecious gemstones found because of ancient volcanic activity and the subsequent erosion. Middle Park is a fun place to explore because it has a lot of different kinds of rocks.
Volcanic ash layers and other mineral deposits hint at a rich geological history, so rockhounds are drawn to the area. The beautiful scenery and the chance of finding agates make Middle Park exciting for people interested in geology and the age-old search for hidden gems.
Where we found agates at Middle Park
Its old river beds and eroded volcanic sites are good places to look for agates that may have built up over thousands of years. Beautiful rocks around the area also make an excellent place for agates to form.
Rim Rock Drive
Rim Rock Drive, which goes through Colorado National Monument, is a beautiful way to see the area’s unique rock formations. This beautiful route shows layers of Earth’s history, and a careful observer can find many types of rocks that offer the area’s rich geological past.
The presence of volcanic materials, which were very important in forming agates, suggests that these semiprecious gemstones could be found along this drive. There are signs of ancient volcanic activity in the area, which is good for agate formation.
Where we found agates at Rim Rock Drive
The prospect of discovering agates along Rim Rock Drive or nearby areas adds an element of adventure to the journey. The erosion-exposed rocky terrains might conceal agates amongst other mineral treasures.
San Luis Valley
The San Luis Valley in Colorado is a large, high-altitude desert between the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges. It has a lot of interesting geological features.
Its wide plains and surrounding rocky areas have a lot of mineral history, which makes it a great place for agate fans to visit. The geological history of the valley, which includes ancient volcanic activity and constant erosion, has made it a good place for agates to form and be found.
The vast open spaces of the valley provide a serene backdrop for exploratory ventures. The pursuit of agates in San Luis Valley promises the reward of beautiful gemstones and an enriching experience of interaction with Colorado’s intriguing geological tapestry.
Where we found agates at San Luis Valley
Rock hunters can find pockets of agates in the valley’s riverbeds, old volcanic sites, and gravel pits, where minerals have slowly built up over time to make these pretty stones.
Specimen Mountain
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is home to Specimen Mountain, a prominent peak with a fascinating geological story. It was formed by past volcanoes, making it a good place for agates and other minerals to grow.
Volcanic eruptions in the past have left layers of ash and lava on the mountain. Over time and in the right conditions, these layers helped agates grow in cracks and cavities. Because of its rough geological past, Specimen Mountain is an excellent place to look for agates.
Where we found agates at Specimen Mountain
You can go on an exciting trip across the rough terrain of Specimen Mountain. As you walk along the trails, the chance of finding agates against a backdrop of beautiful views adds to the appeal of this trip.
Other Great Places To Find Agates in Colorado
We have already told you the best places to look in Colorado for agates. We want you to find what you’re looking for, so we’ll tell you more places in the state where you can look. We’ve put them in order by county below:
Our recommendations by county
| County | Location |
| Alamosa | Cumbress Pass highway, beyond river, climb a rocky point to a rockslide area |
| Elbert | surrounding region of Agate area |
| El Paso | Calhan area, Paint Mine area washes, gullies, surface |
| El Paso | Calhan area, south of the mine dumps |
| El Paso | Colorado Springs, Austin Bluffs |
| El Paso | Peyton area, Bijou Basin |
| Fremont | Canon city, Curio Hill |
| Fremont | Canon city, Gardin park |
| Fremont | Canon city, Felch Creek |
| Gilpen | Central city, East End Mine |
| Grand | Hot Sulphur Spring, Willow Creek |
| Grand | Parshall, Williams Fork |
| Kit Carson | Burlington, broad area |
| Mesa | Colorado River Valley, and side canyons west from Grand Junction to the Utah line |
| Mesa | Fruita city, SE Rim Rock Drive, area outside Colorado National Monument |
| Mesa | Glade Park city, region of Pinon Mesa |
| Mineral | Amethyst Lode, numerous area mines |
| Mineral | Wagon Wheels Gap, Embargo mining district area |
| Mineral | Wolf Creek Pass area, along Wolf Creek |
| Mineral | Wolf Creek Pass area, Treasure Falls in area of a cliff dipping to the left |
| Mineral | Wolf Creek Pass area, gravels below road and summit area |
| Moffat | Green and Yampa River breaks, gravels |
| Moffat | between the Utah line and Cross Mountain |
| Moffat | between Big and Little Wolf Creek |
| Moffat | Craig area, area exposures |
| Park | Antero Junction crest of hill area |
| Park | Guffey area, Mile Mountain |
| Park | Hartsel area, South Platte River gravels |
| Park | Hartsel area, Agate Plateau |
| Rio Grande | Rio Grande River sands and gravels |
| Saguache | La Garita area, La Garita Creek |
| Saguache | along the south Fork of the Republican River, broad area |
Additional areas you can find agates
Here are more specific places where you can find agates. We want to help you find these because Colorado is a big state.
Mines and mine dumps
Mines and mine dumps are great places to find agates because they have a lot of geological exposure. As mining operations dig deeper into the earth, they find treasures like agates that have been there for thousands of years.
When rocks are dug up and taken out, agates are often among the stones that end up on the surface. Mine dumps, where extra materials are put, are accessible places for people who like to explore and find agates without having to do a lot of digging.
Road cuts
Road cuts, the exposed parts of the ground next to roads, reveal hidden layers of geological history and are often an excellent place to find agates. As roads cut through different landscapes, they often go through mineral-rich areas.
This shows a cross-section of the geology of the area. Agates are often found in these newly exposed layers, waiting for collectors to find them. Enthusiasts like to go hunting in road cuts because they are easy to get to and because they might find different kinds of things.
Streams and creeks
With their gentle but steady erosion, streams and creeks act as natural sifters, uncovering and collecting agates and other minerals. Over time, moving water pulls agates away from their host rock and carries them downstream, where they are left on beds and banks.
Because these bodies of water constantly change, they always turn up new things, giving collectors a new place to look. Streams and creeks are easy to get to and are great places to look for agates because they often run through different types of geology.
Common Agate-Hunting Questions
People often ask these questions when they go to Colorado to look for agates.
Is it illegal to collect agate in Colorado?
You can look for agates in Colorado if you follow the rules. Get permission to go on private land and take samples there.
The Best Places To Buy Agates In Colorado
Not everyone likes to go outside on a hot day to look for agates. Sometimes, you only need one piece to add to your collection or give as a gift. Here are some places in Colorado where you can easily find agates:
- Allin Gem Rock Shop – 755 Gold Hill Pl S, Woodland Park, CO 80863, United States
- The Gold Mine Rock Shop – 0028 Co Rd 3A, Cañon City, CO 81212, United States
- Leoanard Crystals – 6801 S Emporia St Ste 106, Greenwood Village, CO 80112, United States
- Moon Mountain Gems Rock and Crysal Shop – 338 S 2nd St, Grand Junction, CO 81501, United States
- Red Rose Rock Shop – 490 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517, United States
