Entry No. 74 — the Boulder file — filed under: historic

Blue Jay Mine

The Blue Jay Mine is a historic fluorspar mine located southwest of Jamestown, Colorado, that operated from the early 1900s through the mid-20th century. It was once one of the largest producers of fluorspar in the Jamestown Mining District, a mineral crucial for smelting steel. Today, the 41-acre open space preserves the mine's historic surface features, including a hoist house, headframe, and ore bin, surrounded by scattered purple fluorite.

The move: Hike the scenic trail from Jamestown up through the Blue Jay Mine Open Space to admire the historic mining structures from the path and search the ground for beautiful, naturally occurring purple fluorite.

📍 Before you go The surrounding Blue Jay Mine Open Space is open to the public via a hiking trail, but the historic mine structures and shafts are fenced off and unsafe to enter.

• 📍 Jamestown
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Jamestown, CO 80455, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: bouldercounty.gov · westernmininghistory.com · storymaps.arcgis.com

last checked: 2026-07-20