The Argo

The Argo Mill and Tunnel

Soon after 1859, when Colorado’s first gold was struck in Idaho Springs, CO, the Argo and surrounding area became an international center of milling and tunneling innovation and served for many gold mines in Colorado. Partnerships between local entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals, and international business leaders enabled projects of previously unforeseen scale, ambition, and productivity to be realized. The Mighty Argo has rekindled this spirit and will resume its role as a hub of activity and an engine of economic productivity for the region and beyond.

The Argo Mill and Tunnel is a wonder of ingenuity, technology, and entrepreneurial spirit. Begun in 1893, the 4.2-mile-long Argo Tunnel cuts an ingenious path through the hills, draining and servicing hundreds of miles of workings, thereby prolonging the productivity of the famous gold mines in Colorado for decades. Many of the gold mines in Colorado would have become inoperable if not for the Mighty Argo. A vast amount of the Mill’s original equipment is still in place, transporting visitors instantly back in time to an era steeped in the Victorian Industrial Revolution of the American West. The Argo is also part of a 400 square mile EPA Superfund Site. The property has been remediated and hosts over 40,000 visitors annually.

Tours: The Argo Mill and Tunnel is one of the top attractions in the state. Book a tour to experience this integral part of Colorado Gold Rush history for yourself!

Gold Panning: With every tour ticket, you get a chance to pan for gold just like they did back in the day! Get an authentic gold panning lesson in the very place that the Colorado Gold Rush began.

Mercantile: You can bring home a bit of the Argo to remember your experience. Our museum gift shop holds unique collector’s items and mementos from your visit to Idaho Springs attractions.