Wes Morlang and Kevin Singel. Courtesy of Kevin Singel — Wes Morlang and Kevin Singel. *Courtesy of Kevin Singel*

Gold prospecting literally flows through the veins of Kevin Singel and Wes Morlang. Raised nearly 2,000 miles apart in Michigan and the Western Slope respectively, each was inspired at the age of six by their fathers. Family, careers and life in general may have interrupted their interest in gold prospecting, but time fueled it into a hobby they are passionate to share.

As a young boy, Singel was so enthralled by a National Geographic article his father read to him about gold mining in Australia that he promptly dug a claim in their Michigan front yard, touting his discoveries. It was a day that would impact his entire life.

Morlang was born closer to home in Uravan, Colorado, south of Gateway, where his dad mined uranium. All that remains today is a sign where the town once stood. His father went on to be a gold miner, settling his family in Silverton, Colorado. Morlang shadowed his father, and he even prospected gold in his time off. Gold mining was his father’s life. It also took his life in a mine explosion when Morlang was just 9 years old.

When Morlang retired four years ago, he decided it was time to act on the gold fever he caught as a child. He was gifted a gold panning starter kit, had plenty of enthusiasm, but soon became discouraged while trying to learn where to prospect legally. That is until he “hit gold” (pun intended) when he found the book Finding Gold in Colorado written by Singel.

“The best way to learn to gold pan is next to someone who already knows how to do it or by watching a good YouTube video,” says Singel. “My book is not a ‘how to’ but a ‘where to.’”

Although Singel had spent his working years in Denver, he successfully panned for gold in urban creeks. He, like Morlang, became increasingly frustrated with finding legal prospecting locations. After retiring to Silverthorne, Singel began intense research on the many layers of government in relationship to land usage and the various rules according to what entity a piece of property fell under — city, county, state, federal, BLM, Forest Service, etc.

Following thousands of miles crisscrossing Colorado, Singel’s book Finding Gold in Colorado was published in 2018. The book focuses on gold prospecting sites in historic, urban and remote locations across Colorado.

Prospectors using Singel’s book as a guide can be confident they are prospecting legally on land which is non-claimable and does not involve mineral trespassing. He said other prospecting books are written by geologists, which tell you where gold is but not whether you can dig there, setting the naive hobbyist up for trouble.

“When I wrote the book I thought I would be writing about a couple dozen sites, 50 if I was lucky, and 100 was my fantasy; I was amazed that the book ended up featuring over 180,” explains Singel. “I’m now working on a sequel including 70 more obscure places. It’s really humbling to know the number of sites out there.”

Morlang credits Singel’s book for his passion- turned-hobby moving forward. He found sites near Uravan in the book and began going several times a week, eventually buying two claims in the area.

“Doubting there was anything closer to home, I can’t believe the gold I’ve found at the Fruita State Park on the Colorado River just two miles from my house,” adds Morlang. “There’s another site in the book near the Redlands Parkway bridge in Grand Junction.”

Singel and Morlang both point out the Western Slope is loaded with gold. It’s common knowledge that Ouray and Telluride were big mining towns, but it can be forgotten that gold will travel farther downstream than you would imagine. Gold from those areas is carried to the Grand Valley via the Gunnison, San Miguel, Dolores and Uncompaghgre Rivers.

“We call it flood gold because that’s what brings it here, and it replenishes every year so you can dig the same spot repeatedly,” explains Morlang. “It’s also important to know that prospectors are ecologically friendly — always leaving a site just as they found it.”

Singel and Morlang both share the same draw to gold panning, and it’s definitely not about the money. Commercial and dramatic television shows like Gold Rush mislead hobbyists into believing every outing comes with huge dividends. Morlang realistically points out that if it was easy money, everyone would be doing it, and if you’re in it for the money, it’s probably not the hobby for you.

“You have to have a sense of humor and be an optimist to be a gold prospector, because you’re probably going to come home with less gold in value that the amount of gas you burned, but sometimes you have a lucky day,” says Singel. “If you’re in it for the money, you’re better off working at McDonalds.”

It’s the other benefits which make gold prospecting rewarding according to Singel and Morlang. Great friendships made over a shared hobby, moments of discovery and excitement, all while having an adventure in nature and getting exercise. Finding gold is just a bonus.

“I’m 66 and gold prospecting has probably added 10 years to my life,” Morlang says. “I meet new people, it gives me purpose and gets me outside; plus, it’s not nearly as frustrating as golf!”

Singel and Morlang have also found gold prospecting is a great way to give back and change lives. Singel’s Facebook page has over 8,000 members and his book has sold over 4,000 copies. They have engaged with kids, men and women of all ages, dispelling the stereotype that all gold prospectors are “grumpy old men.”

Morlang has connected with people with drug and alcohol addictions, PTSD, Parkinson’s, and COPD to name just a few, inviting them on outings to learn with him side-by-side. Prospectors can experience a soothing, zen-like experience as the sound of the river peacefully whisks you away. Morlang alone has taken out 200 people in the last four years.

“I love inviting people to come with me and show them my best spots. I can always go out the next day and find a new best spot,” says Morlang. “Every shovel full has gold in it. You never know what you’re going to find.”

Morlang says all you need to get started are a few basic supplies and, of course, Singel’s book. Joining the Finding Gold in Colorado Facebook page will provide you with great information and connect you with other local hobbyists.

“You’re not going to get rich doing what we do, but you’re going to have a heck of a good time,” adds Morlang. “Gold fever is a real thing.”

Originally published in the Summer 2021 issue

Finding Gold In Colorado: “Gold Fever Is A Real Thing”