Uncovering Colorado’s Most Haunted Places

Most Haunted Places in Colorado

Colorado isn’t just about stunning mountain vistas, epic ski runs, and challenging hiking trails. Beneath the breathtaking beauty lies a rich, often turbulent history – a past filled with gold rush fever, Wild West outlaws, tragic accidents, and resilient pioneers. And where there’s intense history and human emotion, stories of the supernatural often follow.

For the adventurous soul looking for a different kind of thrill, exploring Colorado’s haunted history offers a unique way to connect with the state’s past. From grand, isolated hotels that inspired horror masterpieces to urban parks built over forgotten cemeteries, Colorado is brimming with locations rumored to host spectral residents.

Whether you’re a seasoned paranormal investigator or just curious about things that go bump in the night, join us as we delve into some of Colorado’s most notoriously haunted locales, including chilling hotspots in Denver and Colorado Springs. Prepare yourself – the air might get a little colder as we explore these eerie destinations.

Why So Haunted? Colorado’s Ghostly Groundwork

What makes Colorado such a fertile ground for ghost stories? Several factors contribute:

1. The Gold Rush Era: The frantic pursuit of gold and silver in the 19th century led to boomtowns popping up overnight – and often vanishing just as quickly. These towns saw immense wealth, desperate poverty, violent disputes, dangerous working conditions in mines, and devastating fires. Such intense periods often leave behind echoes of the past.
2. Wild West Lawlessness: Colorado was part of the untamed frontier. Outlaws, vigilante justice, saloon brawls, and unsolved mysteries were commonplace, creating legends and lingering resentments that fuel ghost stories.
3. Native American History & Conflict: Long before settlers arrived, Native American tribes inhabited these lands. The forced displacement, broken treaties, and tragic battles (like the Sand Creek Massacre) left deep scars on the landscape, sometimes manifesting as reports of spectral figures or unexplained phenomena.
4. Harsh Environments: The rugged mountains and unpredictable weather claimed many lives through mining accidents, avalanches, exposure, and illness, especially in isolated communities.

These historical layers create a complex tapestry where tales of lingering spirits easily take root.

The Crown Jewel of Colorado Hauntings: The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park

No list of haunted Colorado locations is complete without mentioning the magnificent, and purportedly highly active, Stanley Hotel. Perched grandly overlooking Estes Park and the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, this historic hotel is world-famous, largely thanks to Stephen King.

• The History: Opened in 1909 by Freelan Oscar (F.O.) Stanley (of Stanley Steamer fame), the hotel was a luxurious retreat for the early 20th-century elite. It boasted electricity, telephones, and en-suite bathrooms, attracting wealthy guests escaping the summer heat of the cities.
• The Hauntings: The Stanley’s paranormal reputation predates The Shining. Stephen King’s stay in Room 217 during the hotel’s off-season famously inspired his novel, but reports of ghostly activity are widespread:
  • F.O. Stanley & Flora Stanley: The original owners are said to linger. F.O. is sometimes seen in the lobby or Billiards Room, perhaps overseeing his beloved hotel, while Flora’s spectral piano playing can occasionally be heard echoing from the Music Room.
  • Room 217: This is the room Stephen King stayed in. Reports include lights turning on and off, doors opening and closing, and luggage being mysteriously unpacked. It’s associated with Elizabeth Wilson, a chief housekeeper injured in an explosion in that room in 1911. She’s said to be a tidy ghost, sometimes folding guests’ clothes.
  • The Fourth Floor: Once the servants’ quarters, this floor (particularly Room 401, 407, and 428) is known for the sounds of children running, laughing, and playing, even when no children are booked on the floor. Some report interactions with these spectral children or seeing shadowy figures. Lord Dunraven, the land’s previous owner, is also rumored to haunt Room 407, sometimes associated with the scent of cherry pipe tobacco.
  • The Concert Hall: Built as a gift from F.O. to Flora, this building is said to have its own resident spirits, including a handyman named Paul who sometimes interacts with tour groups or staff, and a spectral woman named Lucy.
• Visiting: The Stanley Hotel fully embraces its haunted reputation. They offer various historical and ghost tours, including nighttime paranormal investigations. Even if you don’t stay overnight, taking a tour is a fantastic way to experience the atmosphere and learn the stories. Booking well in advance is highly recommended.

haunted places in denver colorado

Denver, the Mile High City, has its own share of spectral secrets hiding within its urban landscape. From historic mansions to seemingly peaceful parks, the city holds tales that can make your skin crawl.

Cheesman Park

Cheesman Park is one of Denver’s most beautiful and popular urban oases, offering stunning city and mountain views. But beneath the lush lawns and jogging paths lies a disturbing past.

• The History: This land was originally Mount Prospect Cemetery, established in 1858. By the late 1800s, it had fallen into disrepair and was considered an eyesore. The city decided to convert it into a park, tasking an undertaker named E.P. McGovern with removing the estimated 5,000 bodies in 1893. McGovern’s contract paid him per coffin, leading to a gruesome and disrespectful process where bodies were haphazardly dismembered and sometimes stuffed into child-sized coffins to maximize profit. Public outcry halted the process, but it’s estimated that over 2,000 bodies were never removed and remain beneath the park today.
• The Hauntings: Visitors and nearby residents report a range of unsettling experiences:
  • Uneasy Feelings: Many people report feeling inexplicably sad, watched, or unwelcome, especially at night or near the areas known to contain unmarked graves.
  • Shadow Figures: Dark, fleeting shapes are often seen darting between trees or across open lawns.
  • Disembodied Voices & Sounds: Moans, whispers, and the sounds of children playing have been reported when no one else is around.
  • Apparitions: Ghostly figures, sometimes described as Victorian-era specters, have occasionally been sighted.
• Visiting: Cheesman Park is a public park, open daily. While beautiful during the day, the atmosphere shifts as dusk falls. Exploring its paths at night offers a genuinely spooky experience, but always be aware of your surroundings and park hours. Several Denver ghost tours include Cheesman Park on their routes.

The Molly Brown House Museum

Home to the famous Titanic survivor Margaret “Molly” Brown, this Victorian mansion in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood is now a museum dedicated to her life and times. But some say Molly, and perhaps others, never truly left.

• The History: Margaret and J.J. Brown owned the house from 1894 to 1932. It reflects Molly’s eclectic tastes and her journey from Leadville mining society to international fame. The house saw triumphs, tragedies, and plenty of vibrant social gatherings.
• The Hauntings: Staff, volunteers, and visitors have reported phenomena over the years:
  • Apparitions: Figures resembling both Molly and her husband J.J. have been glimpsed, particularly on the main staircase and in their former bedrooms. A spectral woman in Victorian garb is also frequently reported.
  • Phantom Smells: The distinct aroma of J.J.’s pipe tobacco sometimes drifts through the rooms, even though smoking is strictly prohibited. Floral scents, perhaps Molly’s perfume, have also been noted.
  • Rearranged Objects: Furniture is occasionally found slightly moved, or objects displaced, particularly in the dining room.
  • Cold Spots & Touches: Unexplained cold spots and the feeling of being gently touched or brushed against are sometimes reported.
• Visiting: The Molly Brown House Museum offers guided tours daily, focusing on history and architecture. While they don’t run official ghost tours, the staff are often aware of the stories, and the house’s authentic Victorian atmosphere certainly lends itself to imagining lingering spirits.

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa

An icon of Denver elegance since 1892, the Brown Palace Hotel has hosted presidents, celebrities, and countless discerning guests. Its unique triangular shape and stunning atrium are legendary, but so are its ghost stories.

• The History: Built by Henry Cordes Brown, the hotel was designed to be one of the most luxurious in the West. It has operated continuously since opening and holds a rich history of social events, political dealings, and Denver society.
• The Hauntings: Various spirits are said to roam its opulent halls:
  • The String Quartet: Guests sometimes report hearing classical music wafting from the atrium area late at night, even when no musicians are present.
  • The Train Conductor: An apparition dressed as an old-fashioned train conductor is occasionally seen near the former Rock Island railroad ticket office area.
  • San Marco Room Ghost: Reports of unexplained activity center around the San Marco room, used for banquets and meetings. Staff have reported ghostly figures and eerie sounds.
  • Crying Baby: The faint sound of a baby crying has been reported on upper floors, with no discernible source.
  • Spectral Staff: Some claim to see ghostly bellhops or waiters still attending to their duties.
• Visiting: The Brown Palace is a fully operational luxury hotel. You can book a room (if you dare!), dine in its restaurants, enjoy afternoon tea, or simply admire the stunning lobby. They also offer historical tours that touch upon some of the legends.

haunted places in colorado springs

Heading south, the Pikes Peak region, including Colorado Springs and nearby Manitou Springs and Cripple Creek, offers its own chilling collection of haunted histories.

Manitou Springs

Nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs has long been considered a place of spiritual significance, first by Native American tribes drawn to its healing mineral springs, and later by Victorian-era health seekers. This unique energy seems to attract spectral residents as well.

• Miramont Castle Museum: This eclectic Victorian castle, built in 1895, combines nine different architectural styles. It served various purposes, including a sanitarium run by Catholic nuns. Reports include ghostly apparitions (sometimes described as nuns or former patients), disembodied voices, and objects moving on their own. They occasionally host paranormal investigations or themed events.
• Briarhurst Manor Estate: This stunning Tudor-style manor, now an elegant restaurant and event venue, dates back to 1876. It was built by Dr. William Bell, founder of Manitou Springs. Whispers of a ghostly woman in white, phantom music, and unexplained cold spots circulate around the property. Dining here offers a chance to soak in the history and perhaps sense something more.
• Cave of the Winds Mountain Park: While known for its stunning cave formations, legends persist about paranormal activity within the deeper, less-traveled passages. Native American legends spoke of the caves being haunted by spirits. Some modern visitors and staff report hearing whispers, seeing shadowy figures, or experiencing uneasy feelings in certain sections of the cave tours, particularly the lantern tours which enhance the spooky atmosphere.

Cripple Creek

Once a booming gold mining town that rivaled Denver in importance, Cripple Creek is now known for its casinos and rich history. The echoes of its frenetic, often dangerous past seem to linger in its historic buildings and mines.

• Colorado Grande Casino & Hotel: This historic building is rumored to be haunted by an Irish immigrant woman named Maggie, often seen playing the slot machines or lingering near Room 302. Guests report the scent of her rose perfume, flickering lights, and coins dropping inexplicably.
• The Imperial Hotel (Now closed/repurposing): One of the oldest hotels in Cripple Creek, the Imperial had numerous ghost stories associated with it, particularly concerning the building’s founder, George Long, and his family members. Disembodied footsteps, voices, and apparitions were commonly reported. While currently not operating as a hotel, its legends persist in the town.
• Outlaws & Lawmen Jail Museum: Housed in the original 1901 Teller County Jail, this museum preserves a piece of Cripple Creek’s rougher side. Given its history of housing desperate characters, it’s unsurprising that staff and visitors report eerie feelings, unexplained noises, cell doors rattling, and shadowy figures, especially in the old cell blocks.
• Mount Pisgah Cemetery: Overlooking the town, this historic cemetery is the final resting place for many early pioneers, miners, and residents. As with many old cemeteries, especially those tied to boomtowns, visitors report cold spots, strange lights, and feelings of being watched among the weathered headstones.

Other Notable Colorado Haunts

Beyond Denver and Colorado Springs, the ghostly tales continue across the state:

• Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Springs: Another grand historic hotel, opened in 1893. It served as a naval convalescent hospital during WWII. Reports include the apparition of a woman in Victorian clothing, phantom cigar smoke (perhaps from Teddy Roosevelt’s era?), unexplained noises, and flickering lights. A young girl in period dress has also been seen playing in the hallways.
• Central City Masonic Cemetery & Others: Central City and nearby Black Hawk were major players in the gold rush. Their historic cemeteries, perched on steep hillsides, are incredibly atmospheric and rumored locations for paranormal activity, including strange mists, lights, and disembodied voices reflecting the hardships of mining life. The Teller House Hotel and Central City Opera House also have their own ghost stories.
• Museum of Colorado Prisons, Cañon City: Located adjacent to a still-active state prison complex and housed in the former Women’s Correctional Facility (1935), this museum is inherently chilling. Visitors and staff report intense feelings of dread, cold spots, disembodied voices, cell doors clanging shut, and apparitions, likely tied to the intense emotions and suffering within its walls.

Comparison of Top Haunted Locations

Want to explore some haunted location far from the cities? Check out The Carson Ghost Towns