(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office sent a message to the community, asking people not to call dispatch about low-flying aircraft over parts of Southern Colorado, stating that the flights are being conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
“Dispatch has received several calls inquiring about low-flying aircraft,” a post by the sheriff’s office read on Thursday, Aug. 21. “The U.S. Geology Survey is conducting low-level flights over parts of Southern Colorado. Please do not call dispatch regarding the aircraft.”
The flights, which began in mid-July, will continue through Fall 2025 and may resume in Spring 2026, if needed. The goal of the airborne survey, according to the USGS website, is “…to map critical minerals using airborne geophysical technology.”
The flights will cover several parts of Southern Colorado, including Park, Chaffee, Teller, Fremont, Custer, Pueblo, and Huerfano Counties.
“The Colorado flights are part of a national effort to map the mineral resources needed to drive the U.S. economy and protect national security, searching below ground and in tailings from old mines,” wrote the USGS. “Instruments on the helicopter will measure variations in the Earth’s magnetic field and natural, low-level radiation created by different rock types beneath vegetation and up to several miles below the surface.”
According to the USGS, aircraft will fly relatively low to the ground at about 300 feet; however, over populated areas, the ground clearance will be increased to 1,000 feet.
“Experienced pilots who are specially trained and approved for low-level flying will operate the aircraft,” added the USGS. “All flights will occur during daylight hours and are coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure accordance with U.S. law.”
Flights will be based out of the Fremont County airport and will fly over the following towns:
- Gardner
- Rye
- Colorado City
- Beulah Valley
- Rockvale
- Coal Creek
- Williamsburg
- Florence
- Penrose
- Brookside
- Lincoln Park
- Cañon City
- Park Center
- Goldfield
- Victor
- Cripple Creek
- Midland
- Guffey
- Cotopaxi
- Coaldale
- Howard
To see a map of the area being surveyed, click here.
According to the USGS, funding for the effort, which is part of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, is made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. To learn more about the flights, click on the link above.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
