Step into the shadows of Colorado’s haunted past, where spirits still linger in some of the state’s most notorious hotspots. From the Stanley Hotel to Ashcroft Ghost Town, discover the chilling tales and ghostly encounters that have captivated visitors for decades.
Colorado’s Most Haunted Places: Where Spirits Still Linger
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park is a notorious hotspot for paranormal activity.
Built in 1909, the hotel was the inspiration for Stephen King's 'The Shining'.
Guests and staff have reported strange occurrences, including ghostly apparitions and unexplained noises.
The hotel offers guided tours of its haunted areas, making it a popular destination for thrill-seekers.
Other notable haunted locations in Colorado include the Molly Brown House Museum in Denver and the Bachelor Syracuse Mine in Leadville.
Colorado is a state steeped in a rich and sometimes unsettling history, with numerous locations throughout the Centennial State that are said to be haunted by the spirits of the past.
The Stanley Hotel: Inspiration for a Chilling Classic
High in the Rocky Mountains of Estes Park sits the iconic Stanley Hotel, a sprawling 142-room resort that served as the inspiration for Stephen King‘s renowned horror novel, ‘The Shining.’ Built in 1909, the Stanley Hotel has long been rumored to be one of the most haunted places in Colorado, with numerous reports of ghostly encounters throughout its storied past. Visitors have recounted hearing the laughter of children echoing through the empty halls, the sound of a piano playing in the deserted ballroom, and even the apparition of a woman in a long, black dress gliding through the corridors. The hotel even offers nightly ‘spirit tours‘ that take brave guests to some of the property’s creepiest corners.
Central City Masonic Cemetery: Where the Dead Refuse to Rest
Perched atop a hill overlooking the historic mining town of Central City, the Central City Masonic Cemetery is a place where the boundary between the living and the dead seems to blur. Visitors to this eerie graveyard have reported numerous paranormal occurrences, from strange orbs of light captured in photographs to the ghostly figure of a young boy, who vanishes into the trees whenever approached.
Cripple Creek: Haunted Casinos and Ghostly Encounters
The former gold-mining boomtown of Cripple Creek has long been known for its haunted history, with several of the town’s casinos and historic buildings playing host to a variety of paranormal phenomena. At Buffalo Billy’s Casino, guests have reported witnessing the apparition of a young girl, who is said to be responsible for the strange drawings that appear on the walls and the unexplained movement of glassware.
The Museum of Colorado Prisons: Echoes of a Troubled Past
Housed in a former women’s correctional facility in Cañon City, the Museum of Colorado Prisons offers visitors a chilling glimpse into the state’s penal history. But the museum’s exhibits and artifacts aren’t the only things that seem to linger from the past – reports of paranormal activity abound within the old cell house.
Cheesman Park: A Graveyard Turned Gathering Place
Once the site of Denver’s Mount Prospect Graveyard, Cheesman Park is now a beloved urban oasis, but its history as a former burial ground has left an indelible mark on the land. In the late 1800s, the graveyard was converted into a public park, but the relocation of the bodies was not as thorough as it should have been.
The Brown Palace Hotel: Haunted Halls and Ghostly Melodies
As one of Denver’s oldest and most prestigious hotels, the Brown Palace Hotel has played host to a litany of famous guests over the decades, from The Beatles to Ronald Reagan. But the hotel’s storied history also includes a darker side, with reports of ghostly encounters and unexplained occurrences that have spooked both staff and visitors alike.
Built in 1892, the Brown Palace Hotel is a luxurious hotel located in Denver, Colorado.
The hotel was designed by Frank E. Eitges and features a stunning Spanish Renaissance-style architecture.
With over 1,000 rooms, it was one of the largest hotels in the world at its opening.
The hotel has hosted numerous famous guests, including five U.S. presidents.
It is also home to the award-winning Spago restaurant, owned by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
Phantom Canyon Road: A Spine-Chilling Drive Through Colorado’s Past
Winding its way through the rugged terrain of the Pikes Peak region, Phantom Canyon Road is a harrowing, yet captivating, journey that takes travelers back in time to Colorado’s mining heyday. Originally the route of the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad, this narrow, unpaved road is said to be haunted by the ghost of a uniformed prison inmate, who was spotted walking the tracks in the late 19th century, just days after his execution.
The Hotel Colorado: A Haunted Sanctuary for the Wounded
Nestled in the heart of Glenwood Springs, the Hotel Colorado is a grand, late-19th century hotel with a storied and haunted past. During World War II, the hotel served as a hospital, tending to over 6,500 wounded soldiers, many of whom tragically lost their lives within its walls.
The Highlands Ranch Mansion: A Haunting Legacy
Constructed in 1891, the Highlands Ranch Mansion in suburban Denver is a stunning example of Victorian architecture, but it also carries a haunting legacy. According to reports, the ghost of Julia Kistler, the daughter of the mansion’s former owner, is said to haunt the property.
Ashcroft Ghost Town: Spirits of the Gold Rush Era
Once a thriving mining town during the Colorado Gold Rush of the 1880s, the ghost town of Ashcroft now stands as a testament to the state’s rich, yet often tragic, history. Visitors to the restored town have reported numerous ghostly encounters.
The Hotel Jerome: A Haunting Luxury in Aspen
Nestled in the heart of the iconic ski town of Aspen, the Hotel Jerome is renowned for its exceptional service and luxurious accommodations. But beneath the hotel’s glamorous exterior lies a haunting history, with reports of ghostly activity dating back to the late 19th century.
Ghostly apparitions, also known as specters or phantoms, are believed to be the appearance of a person's spirit or ghost.
According to paranormal lore, these apparitions often manifest as misty figures, shadows, or transparent images.
Historical records show that people have reported seeing ghostly apparitions in various settings, including haunted locations and near deathbeds.
Research has shown that around 40% of Americans claim to have experienced a ghost sighting.
The concept of ghostly apparitions varies across cultures, with some believing they are omens or harbingers of doom.
Georgetown: A Historic Town Haunted by the Past
The quaint mountain town of Georgetown, nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, is no stranger to ghostly encounters. With a history dating back to the Colorado Gold Rush, Georgetown is believed to be home to a variety of restless spirits.
- howstuffworks.com | Colorado’s Most Haunted Places: Where Spirits Still Linger
