Expended munitions and geocaching are never a good combination, but a discovery by hikers this week of old exploded artillery shells on Green Mountain in Lakewood, Colorado has raised concerns of local officials.

In the 1930's, Green Mountain was used for artillery training for soldiers of nearby Camp George West.. Today, the mountain is a popular location for day hikers in the Denver metro area.

Experts predict that there may be unexploded artillery on the mountain. The age of these shells makes them unstable and a huge safety concern.

The Jefferson County Health Department will work with the Colorado National Guard to determine the extent of the problem.

Geocachers hunting on Green Mountain should be aware of this hazard and notify officials of discovery of artillery.  Avoid contact and mark the area for analysis.

For the geocache hider, this presents an unusual problem. There is a strong chance that their container could be confused for artillery and subject to confiscation by authorities.Ammo cans, which are popular in open space areas, are especially risky. This Examiner suggests that containers be reviewed and  replaced with  clear plastic boxes that are marked with the words 'geocache' on the outside.

be careful of the hazard of geocaching.

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More information on geocaching is found on the Centennial State Geocaching Podcast