This website is intended to provide information about the Colorado Cave Survey and its activities. It is not a clearinghouse of cave related data. Specifically, it is the policy of the Colorado Cave Survey not to provide cave location information over the internet. This policy is designed to protect the cave environment, the welfare of those visiting the caves, and the relationship between the caving community and cave owners and/or land managers. This is in line with the principles espoused by the National Speleological Society’s Conservation Policy, which we in the Colorado Cave Survey endorse and support.
Caves represent a fragile, irreplaceable environment, and the act of a single careless visitor or irresponsible vandal may counteract the long-term efforts of the entire caving community to protect a cave. The cave environment may also pose many dangers to the unprepared visitor; cave rescues are notoriously difficult, and even a seemingly minor accident may prove fatal in the cold, high altitude caves of Colorado. In addition, relations with land owners or land managers are often sensitive, and a single careless visitor may cause a cave to be closed to everyone. Since it is impossible to assess an individual’s background, skill, or motivations over the internet, no cave locations will be provided on this site.
The Colorado Cave Survey does assist land owners and management agencies in managing access to a few specific caves in Colorado. More information about these caves can be found on the Managed-Access Caves page on this website. Many other caves in Colorado have various restrictions on access. In particular, visiting any cave on National Forest land in Colorado currently requires a permit. Some other caves are closed to all visitation. More information on these restrictions and access procedures can be found on the Closed and Restricted-Access Caves page elsewhere on this website.
If you would like more information regarding Colorado caves, or caving in general, please contact the National Speleological Society or one of the Colorado grottos (local chapters of the National Speleological Society). In addition, there are two commercial caves in Colorado currently open to public visitors, as well as several wonderful caves in National Parks in nearby states.
Good general background information for new cavers is available in the National Speleological Society introductory brochure “A Guide to Responsible Caving“. Another National Speleological Society brochure, “Fragile Underground“, provides a concise summary of the importance of cave conservation.