Colorado’s Most Haunted Places: Where Spirits Still Linger

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. Whether you're a fan of the classic Stephen King tale or simply seek an otherworldly experience, a stay at the Stanley Hotel is sure to leave you with chills.

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. Perhaps the cemetery's most intriguing resident, however, is the "Columbine Lady" - a mysterious woman in black who appears twice a year to place flowers on the grave of a former Central City resident, John Cameron. Despite numerous attempts to uncover her identity, the Columbine Lady remains an enduring enigma, disappearing as quickly as she arrives.

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. Across town at the Colorado Grande Casino, the ghost of Maggie, a turn-of-the-century Irish woman, is believed to linger, playing the slot machines long after the casino has closed for the night. Other haunted sites in Cripple Creek include the Hotel St. Nicholas and the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, where visitors can join guided ghost tours in search of the town's spectral inhabitants.

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. Visitors have recounted experiencing unexplained cold spots, the scent of tobacco, and even the ghostly presence of a female prisoner who is said to haunt Cell 19, where she passed away. For a truly spine-tingling experience, the museum offers "Paranormal Investigation Nights" in October, allowing brave guests to hunt for evidence of the supernatural with the aid of the latest ghost-hunting technology.

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. Visitors to Cheesman Park have reported seeing ghostly figures and experiencing other unexplained phenomena, with some believing that the spirits of those who were hastily buried or left behind still linger in the area. The nearby Botanic Gardens have also been the site of reported paranormal activity, adding to the unsettling atmosphere that pervades this once-hallowed ground.

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. From the sound of a ghostly string quartet playing in the dining room to the persistent ringing of a telephone from a room where a former resident passed away, the Brown Palace is said to be home to a variety of restless spirits. Guests have also reported seeing the apparition of a woman in a long, white dress gliding through the hotel's grand atrium, and hearing the cries of a baby emanating from the boiler room. For those brave enough to venture into the haunted halls of the Brown Palace, the experience is sure to be one they'll never forget.

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. As you navigate the twists and turns of Phantom Canyon Road, passing through the eerie remnants of long-abandoned ghost towns like Wilbur, Adelaide, and Glenbrook, the sense of unease and otherworldly presence can be palpable. For those seeking a truly spine-chilling driving experience, Phantom Canyon Road is a must-visit destination.

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. Today, the hotel is said to be home to a variety of ghostly presences, with guests and staff reporting everything from strange noises and unexplained movements to the apparition of a woman in white, wandering the halls. Adding to the hotel's eerie atmosphere is the fact that its basement was once used as a crematorium for fallen soldiers, further fueling the belief that the spirits of those who perished here remain trapped within the historic structure.

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, with visitors and staff alike claiming to have heard the sound of a woman's sobs and seen the silhouette of a figure moving through the empty rooms. The mansion, which is now used for weddings and events, has embraced its paranormal reputation, offering ghost tours and other spooky experiences for those brave enough to explore its haunted halls.

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, which features a saloon, post office, and the historic View Hotel, have reported numerous ghostly encounters, with many believing that the spirits of the miners who lost their lives in the nearby mountains continue to linger. The View Hotel, in particular, is said to be a hotbed of paranormal activity, with guests reporting unexplained noises, strange shadows, and a palpable sense of unease throughout the property.

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. Staff and guests have recounted encounters with the spirit of a young boy, who is said to have drowned in the hotel's swimming pool years ago, as well as the apparition of a young girl, whose identity remains a mystery. The hotel's third floor, in particular, is said to be a hotbed of paranormal activity, with mischievous poltergeists causing all manner of unexplained disturbances.

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, many of whom are said to linger on the town's historic streets. Visitors to Georgetown can join guided ghost tours to seek out these otherworldly residents, who are often described as benevolent rather than malevolent, appearing briefly before vanishing into thin air. Whether you're exploring the town's well-preserved 19th-century buildings or wandering its winding roads, the sense of being watched by unseen eyes is a constant companion in this haunted Colorado destination.

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. Visitors have recounted experiencing unexplained cold spots, the scent of tobacco, and even the ghostly presence of a female prisoner who is said to haunt Cell 19, where she passed away. For a truly spine-tingling experience, the museum offers "Paranormal Investigation Nights" in October, allowing brave guests to hunt for evidence of the supernatural with the aid of the latest ghost-hunting technology.

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