Gold Hill
About Gold Hill, CO
Thousands of people once lived in the mining town of Gold Hill, eager to quench their thirst for gold. The rustic town now has just more than 200 people, many living in log cabins and tin-roofed shacks. In Gold Hill, 12 miles northwest of Boulder, the roads are unpaved — and residents say they like it that way.
Gold was first discovered in Gold Hill in 1859. Miners washed thousands of dollars worth of gold from the stream they named Gold Run. Newspapers at the time claimed that the gold discovered in the first year was valued at more than $100,000. In June 1860, David Horsfal discovered what was named the Horsfal Mine, Gold Hill's most famous and productive early property.
In 1989, 47 buildings — including Gold Hill General Store and Gold Hill Inn — were formed into the Gold Hill Historic District and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of the rural character and minimal changes to many of its original buildings, Gold Hill is considered one of the best intact representations of Boulder County's mining communities.
Boulder County acquired 705 acres of open space around Gold Hill and Ward in March as a result of a three-way land swap involving the U.S. Forest Service and the federal Bureau of Land Management. The county is working with Gold Hill residents to set up new biking and hiking trails there.
Although the town's population has dwindled, people from all over come to Gold Hill for its rural coziness and entertainment.
Name derived from: Gold was found here in 1859.
Population: 210
Year incorporated: Gold Hill has never been incorporated. The area was settled in 1859.
Elevation: 8,296 feet
Size: Less than one-half square mile
Did you know … ? Gold Hill has the oldest mountain school building in continuous use in Boulder County, dating back to 1873. Middle and high school students are bused to Boulder, but 33 elementary students continue to walk to school just as the 30 original students did 130 years ago.
When Gold Hill was first founded, it was Mountain District No. 1, part of the Nebraska Territory.
In 1920, Gold Hill had an indoor roller rink.
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