New initiatives in an effort to protect Paint Mines EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - Visiting the Paint Mines Interpretive Park is encouraged, however, climbing on them might get you in trouble. El Paso County leaders say people are climbing on the natural rock formations, which could be causing further unforeseeable damage to the rocks. Now, the county is making an effort to push out park rules after multiple posts on social media that depict people taking pictures on the rocks. "It is important to respect the paint mines formations because they are fragile, they are clay top with sandstone and the clay has iron in it which overtimes it turns different colors," said Greg Stachon, a landscape architect with El Paso County Parks.