Colorado's Gem: The Buena Vista Contin-Tail Show and Its Stunning Setting

Imagine browsing vibrant displays of minerals, fossils, gems, and more under the expansive Colorado sky, with the crisp mountain air and distant peaks as your backdrop. This setting is the Buena Vista Contin-Tail Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show, which is returning for its 57th year. The show will take place from August 7 to 10, 2025, at the Buena Vista Rodeo Grounds, located off Gregg Drive in Buena Vista, Colorado, just as it has for over 40 years. 

Originally named The Colorado Federation Gem & Mineral Show, the event debuted on June 15-16, 1968. Carolyn and Greg Tunnicliff ran the show with passion and dedication for most of its history. After Carolyn's untimely passing, I worked closely with Greg Tunnicliff to manage the show from 2018 until I entrusted its management to Lisa Cooper last year. Cooper also runs the Pikes Peak Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show. 

This year, Cooper will independently oversee the show, introducing new features and restoring some beloved aspects that have been missing in recent years. The vibrant atmosphere of the show will be enhanced by its collaboration with Gold Rush Days, another long-standing annual event in Buena Vista. This partnership will add a lively beer garden and food court to the festivities. One tradition Cooper plans to revive is the free ‘dig pit’ for children, where they can prospect their own specimens. The Gold Prospectors of Colorado will also provide hands-on gold panning demonstrations for attendees. 

The show has a long history of educational programs. Over the years, it has hosted a variety of events, including speakers, field trips, auctions, demonstrations, burro races, chili cook-offs, potlucks, and displays of fluorescent minerals, among others. The name "Contin-Tail" reflects the fusion of the Continental Divide and Tailgate, and it is well-known for trading between vendors and sharing old-world mining knowledge. Many vendors at the show specialize in prospecting, lapidary work, and the preparation of minerals and fossils, often showcasing their unique craftsmanship. 

Lisa Cooper is incredibly passionate about the hobbies and businesses related to rockhounding, minerals, fossils, and lapidary arts. She owns a mineral business called Terra Minerals and enjoys creating handcrafted wire-wrapped cabochons. Cooper has volunteered with the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society for ten years and has been in charge of their annual show for the past eight. When she has the opportunity, Cooper enjoys hiking fourteeners with her husband, Steve, and their dogs while prospecting. She was a natural choice when I decided to pass the show on to a new owner last year. 

The Buena Vista Contin-Tail Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show is the perfect place to discover gems, minerals, fossils, cabochons, slabs, handmade jewelry, crystals, and nearly everything related to the world of rockhounding and geology. The vendors at the show often possess intimate knowledge of their products, as they are the ones who prospect, prepare, or create the items they offer for sale. This means you can cut out the middleman and find exceptional deals directly from those who unearthed or crafted these treasures. 

The show is situated in a beautiful valley, offering visitors a 360-degree view of the surrounding Collegiate Peaks. Each year, it takes place on the second weekend in August, coinciding with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. There are several nearby hot springs where you can relax after a long day of shopping, as well as numerous outdoor activities for those looking to explore beyond the show. With its stunning setting, unique Contin-Tail atmosphere, and direct-from-source deals, this show offers an unparalleled experience for rockhounds and geology enthusiasts.

Visit the Buena Vista Contin-Tail Gem, Mineral & Fossil show profile on the Xpo Press website for show information, including venue address, contact information, dates, hours, admission details, and more. You can also find a list of vendors, photos, and Google directions to the show.