- Resources at Colorado School of Mines
- Resources in Golden, Colorado
- On Your Own
- Kid's Activities Information
Colorado School of Mines is home to a number of valuable on- and off-campus resources — many of which are available to campus visitors and members of the general public.
Arthur Lakes Library
The Arthur Lakes Library welcomes over 140,000 visitors a year and is a campus center for learning, study and research. The library is open to campus visitors and to the general public and shares resources within the Colorado Alliance library consortium.
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Student Recreation Center
The Student Recreation Center (SRC) and the associated Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC) feature a gymnasium, natatorium, indoor and outdoor running tracks, climbing wall, and more. Use of the facilities by campus visitors attending CPES events requires advance arrangements through the CPES office and payment of a small fee.
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Campus Bookstore
The Colorado School of Mines bookstore features a wide variety of books, software, supplies, gifts, and Mines apparel. The bookstore is open to campus visitors and to the general public.
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Geology Museum
The Geology Museum serves as the state repository for Colorado's mineral heritage and promotes its importance and understanding to the university community and the public. It aims to inspire scientific curiosity through education and research while encouraging appreciation of the earth and responsibility for its mineral, fossil, meteorite, and historic mining treasures. The museum is home to one of Colorado's moon rocks, collected during the Apollo 17 mission, and is open to campus visitors and to the general public.
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Edgar Mine
The Edgar Mine, known as Colorado School of Mines' Experimental Mine, was a working mine in the 1870s. Located above Idaho Springs, Colorado, it produced high-grade silver, gold, lead and copper. Today, as an underground laboratory for future engineers, it produces valuable experience for those who are being trained to find, develop and process the world's natural resources. The Edgar Mine is open for public tours for a nominal fee. Public hours vary, so tours must be booked in advance.
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Campus Dining
The campus offers a number of dining options — from food courts, to cafes, to franchises. Dining locations are distributed throughout the campus, and all are open to campus visitors and the general public. Click on the links below for more information about each:
The city of Golden is located just west of Denver, Colorado, at the base of the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains.
With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Golden is a great place to visit during any season. Separated from Denver by two mesas, Golden retains its small town character, yet enjoys access to the many cultural and social benefits of the metropolitan area.
Serving as the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, Golden also has many hiking trails, ranging from easy hikes along historic Clear Creek to challenging treks into the foothills. Golden is the home of the American Mountaineering Center and the Colorado Mountain Club, and boasts a world-class kayack course and parasailing from the top of Mount Zion — and all of these opportunities are within walking distance of the Colorado School of Mines campus.
With easy access to I-70 and other highways into the mountains, Golden is only a short drive away from many resorts and outdoor activities — mountain climbing, hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, and a host of others. Feel free to visit the many available websites to learn more about Golden and the surrounding community. We suggest:
Weather and Terrain
Golden, Colorado, the location of Colorado School of Mines, is situated at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The elevation (altitude) of the campus is approximately 5,800 feet (1,768 meters) above sea level.
Weather in Golden is generally seasonal, with cold temperatures in winter (December through February), hot temperatures in summer (June through August), and variable temperatures in spring and fall. However, due to the proximity of the Rocky Mountains and the city's altitude, temperatures can vary widely from the norm on a day-to-day basis.
Precipitation in the area is generally infrequent, with average annual equivalent rainfall of 15 inches (38 centimeters). Precipitation generally occurs as snow in winter, late fall, and early spring, and as rain during the remainder of the year. Snowfall in the winter can be significant, with accumulations greater than 6 inches (15 centimeters) being common. Summer days can experience severe thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Current weather information and near-term forecasts for Golden are available on the Internet. Learn more...
Visitors unaccustomed to the combination of Golden's altitude and generally dry climate are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and to be cautious if engaging in rigorous exercise.
All work and no play makes for a very dreary conference! So please take an opportunity to see more of Colorado than just the inside of the hotel. Options abound: organized tours, a slow stroll through the Denver Art Museum, a visit to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, an hour or two in one of Denver's many brew pubs, and much, much more. Listed below are some suggestions, so hopefully you can find something that fits your interests and budget.
Note: The Conference has no affiliation with the activities or companies listed below and makes no endorsement of their respective offerings. Conference attendees or those persons accompanying attendees who wish to take advantage of opportunities outside of the Conference must make their own arrangements directly with the firm(s) involved.
Colorado Railroad Museum
Located in Golden, Colorado, the Colorado Railroad Museum offers over 100 narrow- and standard-gauge steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, an HO model railroad, and more on a 15-acre railyard — complete with an operating turntable and roundhouse. Visit the Depot General Store with thousands of train gifts for every rail fan.
For pricing and more information, visit the website at: coloradorailroadmuseum.org
Coors Brewery Tour
Located in Golden, Colorado, the Colorado Railroad Museum offers over 100 narrow and standard gauge steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, an HO model railroad, and more on a 15-acre railyard — complete with an operating turntable and roundhouse. Visit the Depot General Store with thousands of train gifts for every rail fan.
For pricing and more information, visit the website at:
https://www.millercoors.com/breweries/coors-brewing-company/tours
Gray Line Tours
Since 1910, Gray Line has been a trusted provider of traveler experiences and sightseeing tours in the world's most sought after locations. Here's a sample of Gray Line's offering in the Denver area.
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- Denver Mountain Parks
- Denver Highlights
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Georgetown Loop Railroad
For more tours, pricing, and more information, visit Gray Line's website at: https://grayline.com/
Denver Microbrew Tour
The Denver Microbrew Tour is a guided walking tour through downtown Denver, Colorado's historic LODO (lower downtown) and Ballpark Neighborhood districts. The tour includes beer samplings at several microbreweries and a local tap room, everything you could want to know about beer, a coupon for a pint of your favorite beer on the tour, and local Denver history.
For pricing and more information, visit the website at: https://denvermicrobrewerytours.com
Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums between Chicago and the West Coast, with a collection of more than 70,000 works of art divided between 10 permanent collections including African, American Indian, Asian, European and American, modern and contemporary, pre-Columbian, photography, Spanish Colonial, textile, and western American art. Our holdings reflect our city and region—and provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about cultures from around the world.
For pricing and more information, visit the website at:
https://denverartmuseum.org
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Operating at the same location since 1908, Lakeside has excitement, history, and charm. Located on a large picturesque lake (with great mountain views), the park offers an authentic wooden roller coaster, trains, a merry-go-round, a drop tower, bumper cars, and many spinning rides.
For pricing and more information, visit the website at:
https://lakesideamusementpark.com
Elitch Gardens Amusement Park
Located in the heart of Denver, Elitch Gardens is America's only downtown theme and water park, now celebrating more than 125 years of fun! You'll find thrill rides, water rides, games and arcades, shows, shopping, and more.
For pricing and more information, visit the website at:
https://elitchgardens.com
Lakeside Amusement Park
Operating at the same location since 1908, Lakeside has excitement, history, and charm. Located on a large, picturesque lake (with great mountain views), the park offers an authentic wooden roller coaster, trains, a merry-go-round, a drop tower, bumper cars, and many spinning rides.
For pricing and more information, visit the website at: https://lakesideamusementpark.com
Need more?
Information about more places, events, and activities can be found on the Internet through the links listed below.
Baseball • Colorado Rockies
Soccer • Colorado Rapids
The Denver Mint • Denver Mint
Plays and Concerts • Center for Performing Arts
Helicopter Flights • Colorado HeliOps
Glenwood Springs by Train • Amtrak
Larimer Square :: Shopping, Dining, Pubs • Larimer Square
National Center for Atmospheric Research • NCAR (Boulder)
Winery Tours • Mile High Wine Tours
Balloon Rides • Colorado Balloon Rides or Hot Air Balloon Rides Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park and the Stanley Hotel • Rocky Mountain National Park • Stanley Hotel (Estes Park)
Pearl Street Mall :: Shopping, Dining, Pubs • Pearl Street Mall (Boulder)
Transportation Museum • Forney Transportation Museum
Outdoor Concert • Red Rocks Amphitheater
Disclaimer: ChemEd 2025 is unable to offer its own kid’s camps, but kid’s camps WILL be available!
See below for some of the options available in the area.
Art on the Brix: June 8 – August 7, Ages 5-13. Their theme camps this year will take you on a journey through spaced with inspired science, a festive wonderland of fantastical characters from their favorite cinematic stories, the creative forensics of solving a mysterious art heist, and many more moving parts that all culminate with an end-of-summer pool party. Cost $135 – $275/week.
Foothills Art Center Art Summer Camps: June 8 – July 31, Ages 4-12. Guided by professional artists and arts educators, camps integrate visual arts activities with science, technology and mathematics. Cost $120-300/week
Avid4Adventure: June – August, Ages 3-17. Day and overnight options for these authentic outdoor adventure camps. Avid4 Adventure teaches kids of all levels to climb, paddle, bike, hike and thrive in the outdoors. Cost $395-415/week
Camp Junior Rangers: Ages 6-12. Connect to nature and to others by spending the day with your little one(s) as well as Jefferson County Open Space naturalists and park rangers. Parents/Guardians are required to stay with their children during this program.
Colorado Adventure Point: Classic STEAM Camp: July 21 – July 25, Ages 6-12. Campers will explore concepts in Chemistry, Biology, Structural Engineering, and Physics using a variety of materials, experiments, and challenges curiosities and skill level in our challenge by choice model. In addition to building engineering models and friendships, the campers get to enjoy our climbing wall, archery range and more – and learn the science behind these fun activities! Cost: $325/week per camper, $275/week per sibling.
Golden Community Center Summer Camp: June 1-August 14, Ages 5-16. Campers will enjoy swimming, climbing, sports, arts/crafts, field trips, games and fun activities. The teen program is a field trip every other week. Cost $150/week
Golden History Museums: June – August, Ages 6-11. Hands-on History is a week-long summer day camp. Hands-on History engages kids with different aspects of local history. Cost Member: $190 half day, $380 full day/Non-member: $215 half day, $430 full day.
ENOR Environmental Day Camp: June 8 – July 17, Ages: 3rd grade – 6 grade. Sponsored by CSU Extension, ENOR is a nationally recognized, award-winning program since 1974. Children explore Colorado’s natural and cultural history through hands-on activities and hiking. Cost $195/week
Elementary Academies for Young Minds at Colorado School of Mines: June-July, Ages 8-18. Experience fun, hands-on, and engaging half day camps on topics such as engineering, earth science, Native Americans, creepy creatures, creative chemistry and geology. Cost $170-190/week
The Colorado School of Protocol and Etiquette: April-November, Ages 4-23+. Etiquette and dining skills for children, teens, young adults, business and social etiquette and dining skills that translate into elevated self-confidence and leadership skills. Cost: Tuition varies
Colorado Mountain Club’s Youth Education Program: June 8-August 14, Ages 9-18. Come climbing or explore the mountains with the CMC Youth Education Program. We specialize in multi-day courses offering outdoor skill-building and adventure. Cost $335-650/week
See below for interesting day trip ideas for places to visit!
https://www.mines.edu/museumofearthscience/
https://dinoridge.org/visit-dinosaur-ridge/triceratops-trail/
https://coloradorailroadmuseum.org/
https://www.visitgolden.com/outdoors/horseback-riding/
https://www.visitgolden.com/outdoors/geocaching/
https://goldenfarmersmarket.org/hours-location/
https://www.jeffco.us/1281/Lookout-Mountain-Preserve-and-Nature-Cen
https://www.mines.edu/museumofearthscience/