Well if it's strictly about the hunt and enjoying the outdoors why make it more work than it has to be? Hauling everything out to your dig site and back can be a lot of work in itself. More gear means more to haul, set up, break down and haul home again.
You really need to decide how much gold you want to get out of your hunting. In your area, gold is small and not all that plentiful for the most part. It's going to take a lot of dirt moving to get much. So the more ya want, the more dirt you're going to have to move and process.
Depending on which part of Colorado you're planning on going to, you might be able to get together with some of the other members here on T-Net. Most of the folks here are really great and willing to help a visitor to their area out. They can also tell you what gear to bring because they know what works in their area. Having a little help and guidance when going to a new area can really improve your take.