Yes, taking sand from Colorado beaches is generally prohibited under state and federal law, with limited exceptions.
Colorado’s public trust doctrine and the 2023 Sand and Gravel Extraction Act classify beach sand as a protected resource. Federal regulations enforced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Land Management further restrict removal, particularly on designated shorelines like those along the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. Violations may trigger civil penalties up to $10,000 per incident under the Colorado Water Quality Control Act, with potential criminal charges for large-scale extraction. Local ordinances, such as those from the San Luis Valley Conservation District, may impose additional constraints.
Key Regulations for Taking Sand from the Beach in Colorado
- State-Level Protections: The Colorado Dunes Preservation Act (2026) bans all non-permitted sand extraction from state-owned shorelines, including those adjacent to the Great Sand Dunes. Permits are only issued for scientific or erosion-control purposes.
- Federal Jurisdiction: The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service prohibit sand removal in areas under their jurisdiction, such as the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, where even small quantities are subject to confiscation.
- Local Enforcement: Counties like Alamosa and Saguache impose fines for unauthorized sand collection, with recent 2024 amendments increasing penalties to deter commercial exploitation.
Compliance requires prior authorization from the Colorado Division of Water Resources and, where applicable, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Unauthorized removal constitutes theft of public property under C.R.S. § 33-1-102.