Abandoned Mines of Colorado Springs
and El Paso County:
Franceville Mine
When things go wrong: The abandoned Franceville Coal Mine is located in the western part of the Planning Area along Franceville Coal Mine Road. It was opened in 1882 and was the first major mining operation in the Colorado Springs area. The coal was used largely for domestic purposes, but significant amounts were used by the railroads, the Colorado Springs Electric Company, and by the gold reduction mills in Colorado City and Cripple Creek. The Franceville Mine ceased operations following the floods of the summer of 1965. Surface subsidence is a significant hazard in various areas as a result of the abandoned mines.