[Rockhounds] Looking for collecting locations around Denver, CO (and places to stop on the way)

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

Hey List,

I'm going to be driving from Grand Rapids, MI, to Denver, CO, arriving
on Monday, August 11th. I'll probably be driving back starting Saturday
morning. We're planning on two days of driving each way, but could
extend the trip out (or back) to three days if there were some really
cool places to stop at along the way. We're going to spend a few
vacation days with my oldest daughter, and her husband, who moved to
Denver (from Kalamazoo) for jobs last summer.

I'm looking for rockhounding suggestions for the trip out and back, so I
can take a few short breaks from driving. Roadside collecting spots,
rock shops, shows, don't miss tourist attractions, chances to meet list
members, and the like.

While in Denver I expect to be able to spend one full day with my
rockhounding hat firmly on my head, and will have the 4WD Astro. Should
I split it between museums and collecting, or just focus on one or the
other? My wife will be with me, but we may or may not have the kids (the
ones that are still at home are teenagers in high school).

And if it is to be collecting, what location(s) around Denver should we
be considering for our day in the field? BTW, my wife likes collecting
rocks that sparkle or look cool, and doesn't care what they are called
-- I'm mostly a systematic collector that gets into mineralogy, and
likes obscure minerals and type locations; we both love to collect in
the field.

We just got the dates finalized, so it is time to start planning how to
fit rockhounding into the trip. I'm looking for suggestions early so we
will have time for research before being forced to decide. Any links, or
(detailed) suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

Kreigh