This web site was originally created by James Chelin in 2005. It began as a small web site project to database the Mushrooms of Colorado while I was learning them. I thought it would be a great to share this information with other people. I had no idea that it would turn into what it has today.

I now spend my summers leading forays and teaching wild mushrooms with the Pikes Peak Mycological Society. I am also very grateful to lead forays at the Telluride Mushroom Festival every year with our club and fellow mycophiles.

I hope that you enjoy my web site. This work is from many years of studying and hunting mushrooms in Colorado. It all began when I found a beautiful Amanita muscaria growing near my compost bin in Black Forest, CO back in 2004. Although I was always facinated with mushrooms when I was young I became totally obsessed with mushrooms when I found the Amanita that day.

I enjoy cooking so early on I studied and foraged edible mushrooms primarily. Now I spend my summers cooking, collecting, teaching and documenting fungi for science. Community Science helps us gather data together and learn about our local fungi. We're discovering new species faster than ever with access to free DNA sequencing. Less than 10% of fungi have been formally described by science. Documenting fungi is important for fungal conservation efforts. Fungi play a vital role in our ecosystems. There is a lot of work to do.

If you would like to contribute to Community Science and get your mushrooms DNA sequenced for free consider collecting and sending your specimens to Mycota Lab. Colorado is one of the target states for collections this year (2025).

In the news:

'We are advancing the science': Wild mushrooms, DNA and citizen scientists in Colorado's Mountains

With so many undiscovered mushrooms, citizen scientists find new species all the time

Digging in Colorado (but Not for Gold)

My iNaturalist Observations

If you are in the Pikes Peak area and would like to learn more about our local fungi consider joining our club the Pikes Peak Mycological Society. If you are in the Denver area check out our friends at the Colorado Mycological Society.

This web site is provided free of charge. By supporting our sponsors it helps keep this web site free for everyone.