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Imagine a park situated atop an old cemetery or spirits haunting one of Colorado’s most historic hotels.
Or consider a ghostly figure that plays slots in a casino, even after it has closed. These intriguing tales are just a glimpse of the most haunted places in Colorado.
With a rich history filled with gold rushes and ghost towns, it’s no wonder that Colorado is home to a wealth of paranormal activity.
Numerous locations throughout the state offer ghost tours, eerie sightings, and haunted stories, both indoors and outdoors!
Below are some of Colorado’s most haunted spots, including century-old mining towns, haunted casinos, and spooky mansions.
In the vibrant Denver neighborhood of Capitol Hill, you will discover a lovely park called Cheesman Park.
This scenic area is perfect for walking, jogging, picnicking, and soaking in the city’s atmosphere. You can even join a ghostly walking tour here, day or night!
However, it’s important to note that this park was originally constructed over what used to be known as Mount Prospect Graveyard.
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In the late 1800s, when the graveyard was converted into a park, not all of the bodies were moved (as if they couldn’t think of a better spot for a park?).
Many believe that countless human remains still lie beneath Cheesman Park today.
In fact, this park inspired the movie Poltergeist, which contributed to its reputation as one of Colorado’s most haunted locations.
Numerous nearby mansions and houses are said to harbor the spirits of individuals who were buried at the cemetery many years ago.
Many visitors have claimed to have ghostly encounters or even witnessed apparitions while strolling through the park at night.
The fact that the Capitol Hill neighborhood is also regarded as one of the most haunted areas in Denver makes Cheesman Park an exceptionally eerie site.
The Museum of Colorado Prisons in Cañon City boasts a uniquely interesting fact.
The museum shares a wall (including armed towers) with a prison that has been in continuous operation since before Colorado became a state. This reality adds to the authentic atmosphere of the museum.
Many of the exhibits are actual jail cells, dining halls, and archival storage areas that have been used for over 140 years.
Inmates from decades past reported hearing voices in their cells during the night, and visitors today share similar experiences in the same cells!
Guests have even witnessed disembodied orbs floating between cells, accompanied by inexplicable scents and chills attributed to the supernatural.
It’s not uncommon to find all-night ghost hunting events scheduled at the Museum of Colorado Prisons.
Join experts, learn contemporary techniques, and use cutting-edge equipment to capture evidence of the paranormal.
The life of Margaret Tobin Brown, famously known as Molly Brown, is fascinating. She was one of the few survivors of the Titanic, gaining notoriety as the Unsinkable Molly Brown.
She purchased her home on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1894 and became a long-time resident of Denver.
This Victorian house, now the Molly Brown House Museum, showcases architecture, furniture, letters, and books from the early 1900s.
You can book a tour to explore the history and stories that downtown Denver holds.
Many claim that Molly’s spirit still lingers in the museum, as numerous visitors have reported paranormal activities.
Light bulbs frequently unscrew themselves, furniture sometimes rearranges itself, and kitchen doors are said to open and close mysteriously.
The Molly Brown House is a must-visit for anyone seeking paranormal activity in Colorado.
Related: The Best Walking Tours in Denver
4. The Stanley Hotel
Located in Estes Park, the Stanley Hotel is over 100 years old and steeped in history and peculiar occurrences.
The hotel is famous for its ghost stories and mysterious events, reportedly inhabited by four different spirits.
Guests often hear the cheerful sounds of children laughing or mysterious footsteps echoing through the corridors.
Lights flicker at all hours, and at times, piano music can be heard from the empty ballroom.
Due to its spooky ambiance, the hotel served as the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel, The Shining.
If you have a taste for the supernatural, consider booking one of their Spirited Night Tours, which guide visitors through the hotel’s eerie places, including an underground tunnel.
5. Colorado Grande Hotel & Casino
The town of Cripple Creek is steeped in a dark history of corruption, murder, and debauchery.
Many of its casinos are said to be haunted, with numerous reports of ghostly encounters and strange occurrences.
One casino is rumored to be inhabited by the spirit of a young girl who draws on the walls, while another has glasses that mysteriously fly through the air before shattering on the floor.
The Colorado Grande Casino building has stood since 1898, and the spirits that linger there are mostly benign.
Lily and Maggie are two female spirits frequently reported to roam the halls of this historic landmark.
Other phenomena include disembodied singing, footsteps dancing to unheard melodies in the third-floor ballroom, sightings of apparitions using slots, and floating blue orbs.
6. Outlaws & Lawmen Jail Museum
Continuing the theme of Cripple Creek, this town consistently appears on haunted lists due to its history as a gold mining hub with a storied past.
Visitors can explore the Outlaws & Lawmen Jail Museum, which showcases the darker sides of Cripple Creek’s history.
At the jail, visitors can read authentic police reports and newspaper clippings and view the cells where inmates were held.
Beware, as you might hear faint echoes of footsteps in the stairwells or see the spirits of former guards or prisoners.
The jail operated from 1901 until 1991, when it was shut down due to the lack of an exercise yard, a modern requirement for prisons in Colorado.
7. Hotel Colorado
strategically located in downtown Glenwood Springs is the lovely and expansive Hotel Colorado.
Notable figures such as Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Unsinkable Molly Brown have all stayed at this haunted hotel.
Over the years, Hotel Colorado has earned a reputation for ghost stories and strange happenings.
During World War II, over 500 wounded soldiers were treated here, and deep in the basement, giant ovens were used to cremate those who didn’t survive.
Given the tragic events that unfolded, it’s easy to see how this hotel could be haunted.
Many guests have reported hearing eerie noises, like a woman wailing, and witnessing objects move inexplicably.
Other reported paranormal activity includes ghost sightings and apparitions.
Visitors today can embark on a self-guided tour to explore rooms filled with original furnishings, clothing, and books from the hotel’s storied past.
8. Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Is there often a connection between ghastly murders or other violent acts in the past and the sightings of spirits in the present?
We think so, and the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is no exception. From 1903 to 1973, this building served as the courthouse and administrative center for the Pikes Peak region.
During its time as a courthouse, the walls bore witness to a multitude of heinous events and tragic incidents in the area.
It was in 1959 when a disgruntled custodian shot and killed his manager over a paycheck dispute.
Although the courthouse has been beautifully restored, it now operates as a museum featuring a variety of exhibits.
While the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum does not actively offer ghost tours, many visitors still report experiencing unsettling moments.
It is said that one can feel an uneasy presence or hear faint echoes of the past near the old courtroom or the site of the murder.
9. Brown Palace Hotel
The Brown Palace Hotel has welcomed a diverse range of guests, from presidents and royalty to rock stars and sports icons.
Constructed in 1892, the Brown Palace was designed to be the crown jewel of Denver.
This luxurious establishment was intended for the elite and reflects Italian Renaissance architecture at a prominent triangular intersection.
Throughout its history, the Brown Palace has withstood significant events in American history, such as the Great Depression, Prohibition, and various wars.
It’s no surprise that the hotel has accumulated numerous stories and a few ghostly visitors.
Reports often mention phone calls coming from unoccupied or under-renovation rooms as a common spectral occurrence.
Guests have also described hearing string instruments and seeing a quartet in the ballroom.
Other haunting experiences include the sounds of a baby crying, waitstaff walking through walls, old train conductors appearing, and children playing in the hallways.
10. Central City Masonic Cemetery
Cemeteries are often great locations to find ghosts. Pairing them with haunted towns that have dark histories produces even spookier results.
Central City Masonic Cemetery, situated near Central City and Black Hawk, was once dubbed the “richest square mile on earth.”
Founded in 1859 before gold was discovered in the area, the town quickly grew to over 10,000 residents by 1860.
The Masonic Cemetery overlooks Central City and offers an unnerving atmosphere for visitors.
Be alert for strange sounds and sightings of the spirits of past residents who are said to still roam the grounds.
A mysterious figure known as the “Lady in Black” visits the graveyard every April and November, reportedly laying flowers on the grave of one John Edward Cameron.
The cemetery itself is haunted, and Central City is also known for its ghostly activity, making it one of Colorado’s top haunted sites.
11. Denver International Airport
If you are searching for the most haunted locations in Colorado, Denver International Airport (DIA) might be at the top of your list.
Imagine landing at an airport purportedly built on an ancient Indian burial ground.
And it’s not merely a joke about delayed flights or mysteriously lost luggage that adds to the eeriness of the airport.
DIA is often surrounded by tales of mystery, including the infamous “Blue Mustang” statue (more affectionately known as “Blucifer”) that greets visitors as they arrive.
This statue tragically killed its creator before it was even installed, adding a ghostly twist to its story. Since its construction in 1995, DIA has been associated with various conspiracy theories.
Rumors of secret tunnels, Nazi connections, Freemason foundations, underground bunkers for a dystopian future, and biological weapons have perpetuated its mysterious reputation.
It’s no surprise that tales of ghosts and spooky happenings emerge within the airport. Travelers have reported feelings of dread and otherworldly presences in the terminals.
Numerous stories mention guests taking elevators only to arrive in eerie, deserted areas of the airport.
Denver International Airport is steeped in mystery and haunting history that may never be fully revealed.
From prisons to extensive ghost tours, these thoroughly haunted places in Colorado await your visit in the Pikes Peak region.
