Hotel Colorado – Haunted Hotel in Glenwood Springs, Colorado

The Hotel Colorado stands as a magnificent testament to Victorian elegance in the heart of Glenwood Springs. This grand dame of hospitality has welcomed presidents, celebrities, and ordinary travelers since 1893. But beyond its luxurious facade and storied past, the hotel harbors something darker and more mysterious. Guests and staff have reported unexplained phenomena for over a century, making it one of Colorado’s most haunted locations.

The hotel’s reputation for paranormal activity has grown steadily over the decades. Staff members whisper about the spirits who never checked out. Visitors come specifically hoping for a supernatural encounter during their stay. The building’s long history has created layers of residual energy that sensitive individuals claim to feel immediately upon entering.

From phantom children playing in the hallways to a ghostly chambermaid still performing her duties, the Hotel Colorado teems with spectral residents. These entities don’t seem malevolent but rather tied to the building through love or tragedy. The hotel embraces its haunted reputation while maintaining its status as a premier destination. Many guests return year after year, hoping to experience the paranormal alongside the historic luxury.

Historical Background

Construction on the Hotel Colorado began in 1891 under the vision of Walter Devereux. The hotel officially opened its doors on June 10, 1893. The building cost approximately $850,000 to construct, an astronomical sum for that era. Architects Walter Poindexter and Charles Bulger designed it in the Italian Renaissance Revival style.

The hotel quickly became known as the “Grande Dame of the Rockies.” Its reputation attracted wealthy visitors from across the nation and around the world. President Theodore Roosevelt stayed here during his hunting expeditions in the early 1900s. The hotel served as his “Summer White House” during these extended visits.

During World War II, the hotel underwent a dramatic transformation that changed its energy forever. The U.S. Navy converted the building into a military hospital from 1943 to 1946. Wounded sailors convalesced in rooms that once hosted elegant society gatherings. Many believe the suffering and death during this period left an indelible paranormal imprint.

The hospital years saw numerous deaths within the hotel’s walls. Exact numbers remain unclear, but historical records confirm multiple casualties occurred during its military service. Some soldiers died from their combat wounds while others succumbed to illness. The pain and trauma of this era allegedly created the strongest spiritual activity reported today.

After the war, the building returned to its hospitality roots but never fully shed its hospital past. Renovations revealed medical equipment hidden in walls and forgotten storage areas. Staff discovered old hospital beds and surgical instruments during maintenance work. These discoveries seemed to intensify paranormal reports throughout the property.

Paranormal Activity Summary

The Hotel Colorado experiences a wide variety of supernatural phenomena on a regular basis. Cold spots appear suddenly in hallways and guest rooms without any logical explanation. Visitors report dramatic temperature drops of twenty degrees or more within seconds. These icy patches move and disappear as mysteriously as they arrive.

Disembodied voices echo through corridors late at night when the hotel is quiet. Guests hear conversations in empty hallways and laughter from vacant rooms. Some report hearing their names called by unseen speakers. The voices range from whispers to clear, distinct speech that can be understood.

Objects move on their own throughout the property with alarming frequency. Housekeeping staff find furniture rearranged in rooms they just cleaned. Guest belongings relocate to different spots without human intervention. Elevators operate independently, traveling between floors with no one inside. Doors lock and unlock themselves despite being secured moments before.

Shadow figures are among the most commonly reported apparitions at the hotel. These dark silhouettes dart across hallways and slip through closed doors. Witnesses describe them as human-shaped but lacking any distinguishing features. They appear most frequently in peripheral vision, vanishing when directly observed.

Electronic equipment malfunctions inexplicably throughout the building on a regular basis. Lights flicker in patterns that seem intentional rather than random electrical issues. Televisions turn on and off independently, sometimes changing channels on their own. Cell phones and cameras drain battery power rapidly in certain areas. Many guests have captured strange orbs and anomalies in photographs taken throughout the hotel.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The most famous ghost at the Hotel Colorado is the Chambermaid of Room 408. This spectral housekeeper has been seen for decades, always wearing a period-appropriate uniform. Guests frequently report finding their rooms tidied when they know housekeeping hasn’t visited. Towels are folded, beds are made, and personal items are neatly arranged.

The chambermaid appears as a solid, three-dimensional figure rather than a transparent apparition. She seems completely unaware of living observers, focused intently on her cleaning duties. Witnesses describe her as a woman in her thirties with dark hair pulled into a bun. Her uniform consists of a long black dress with a white apron and collar.

Legend suggests she was a dedicated employee who worked at the hotel in the early 1900s. She allegedly fell in love with a guest who promised to return for her. He never came back, and she continued working at the hotel until her death. Many believe she remains, still faithfully performing her duties while waiting for her lost love.

The fourth floor hosts another frequent spirit known as the Lady in White. This elegant apparition appears wearing a flowing Victorian gown and elaborate hairstyle. She walks the hallway near Room 410, pausing to look out windows toward the mountains. Guests who encounter her report feeling overwhelming sadness in her presence.

Some paranormal researchers believe the Lady in White was a wealthy guest who died suddenly during her stay. Historical records mention a woman who suffered a fatal heart attack in the hotel around 1910. Her family was supposedly staying on the fourth floor when tragedy struck. She may be searching for family members or simply attached to the beautiful views she enjoyed in life.

Children’s spirits are surprisingly active throughout the Hotel Colorado, particularly on the second and third floors. Guests hear the sounds of young voices giggling and playing during late night hours. Small running footsteps pound down hallways when no children are registered as guests. Toys and small objects sometimes move in guest rooms, as if invisible children are playing.

These child spirits seem playful rather than frightening to most witnesses. Some guests report feeling small hands tugging at their clothing or blankets. Others wake to find their belongings arranged in patterns suggesting childish games. The hotel’s history includes families with children visiting regularly, and some may have died during the building’s hospital era.

The Bell Captain is another recurring apparition with a long history of sightings. This entity appears near the front desk and main entrance, often startling new arrivals. He wears an old-style bellhop uniform complete with brass buttons and a pillbox hat. Guests describe him as solid and real until he vanishes suddenly.

Witnesses report that the Bell Captain sometimes offers to help with luggage before disappearing. He tips his hat politely and gestures toward the stairs or elevators. Those who follow him find themselves alone, their ghostly guide having evaporated into thin air. Long-time staff members have reported seeing him for decades, always performing his duties with spectral dedication.

Historical research suggests he may be a bellhop who worked at the hotel in the 1920s. Records indicate a young employee fell down an elevator shaft and died instantly. His devotion to customer service apparently continues beyond death. Some staff members leave coins near the bell stand as offerings to their supernatural colleague.

Most Haunted Spot

Room 408 holds the distinction as the most actively haunted location in the entire hotel. This fourth-floor room experiences more paranormal reports than any other space in the building. The chambermaid spirit appears here most frequently, sometimes multiple times per night.

Guests staying in Room 408 report constant activity throughout their visits. Objects move, cold spots develop suddenly, and the sense of another presence remains overwhelming. Many visitors request room changes after just one night. Some paranormal enthusiasts specifically book this room hoping for supernatural encounters.

The bathroom in Room 408 has its own unsettling phenomena separate from the chambermaid. Faucets turn on by themselves, even when the shut-off valves are fully closed. The mirror frequently fogs over despite no hot water running. Guests report seeing faces and figures reflected that aren’t actually in the room.

The basement and underground tunnels beneath the hotel run a close second for paranormal activity. These areas retain the strongest energy from the hospital era. Former examination rooms and treatment areas still feel heavy with residual suffering. Staff members avoid these spaces whenever possible, especially alone.

The tunnels connected the hotel to the hot springs and other buildings in earlier decades. Wounded sailors were transported through these passages during the hospital years. Many died in these dark corridors before reaching proper medical care. Their anguish seems permanently embedded in the stone walls and concrete floors.

Can You Visit?

The Hotel Colorado remains open to the public as a fully operational hotel and restaurant. Guests can book rooms and experience the paranormal activity firsthand during their stay. The property welcomes visitors interested in its haunted history and offers information about reported phenomena.

Room rates vary by season and room selection, starting around $150 per night during off-peak times. Premium rooms and suites command higher prices, especially Room 408 when available. The hotel does not charge extra fees for paranormal enthusiasts seeking haunted accommodations. Guests can dine at the on-site restaurant without staying overnight.

Formal paranormal tours are not regularly scheduled by the hotel management. However, local tour companies sometimes arrange group visits and investigations with prior permission. Independent ghost hunting requires approval from hotel management and cannot interfere with guest comfort. The staff is generally accommodating to polite requests from paranormal researchers.

Photography is allowed throughout public areas and within guest rooms you’ve booked. Flash photography should be used respectfully, especially in dining and common areas. Many paranormal investigators have captured compelling evidence using various recording equipment. The hotel asks that guests respect other visitors’ privacy while documenting their experiences.

The lobby, restaurant, and public spaces are accessible during normal business hours year-round. Guest room access is limited to registered visitors only. The basement and underground areas are off-limits without special permission from management. Hotel staff can provide historical information and answer questions about reported paranormal activity.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity at the Hotel Colorado occurs year-round without significant seasonal variation. However, winter months from November through February see slightly elevated reports. The longer nights and fewer tourists may create better conditions for supernatural encounters. Snow and cold weather add to the eerie atmosphere of potential ghost sightings.

Late night hours between 2 AM and 4 AM produce the most dramatic paranormal experiences. This timeframe aligns with traditional beliefs about supernatural activity peaking during the “witching hour.” Hotel guests most frequently report encounters during these early morning hours. The building settles into quiet darkness, making unexplained sounds and movements more noticeable.

The anniversary of the hotel’s opening on June 10th sometimes brings increased activity. Some paranormal researchers believe anniversary dates hold special significance for residual hauntings. Long-time staff members report that spirits seem more active during this time. Planning a visit around historically significant dates may increase your chances of an encounter.

Full moon phases also correlate with heightened reports according to hotel staff. While scientifically unproven, many paranormal investigators swear by lunar cycle timing. The combination of a full moon and the 2-4 AM window creates optimal conditions. Check lunar calendars when booking your stay if supernatural experiences are your goal.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A businessman staying in Room 408 in 2018 reported a detailed encounter with the chambermaid. He woke at 3 AM to find a woman in period clothing folding his jacket. She appeared completely solid and real until she walked through the closed bathroom door. He checked out the next morning despite having booked three nights.

The guest provided a written statement to the front desk describing the encounter in specific detail. His description matched dozens of previous reports about the chambermaid’s appearance and behavior. Hotel management keeps a log of such incidents dating back several decades. These documented accounts provide compelling evidence for consistent paranormal activity.

A hotel employee working the night shift in 2015 encountered the Bell Captain near the lobby. She mistook him for a colleague in vintage costume until he vanished before her eyes. The experience left her shaken but not frightened, as his demeanor seemed helpful. She learned afterward that other staff members had seen the same figure for years.

Her testimony included specific details about his uniform and appearance that matched historical photographs. She described brass buttons, a burgundy jacket, and a small pillbox hat. Records showed bellhops wore exactly this uniform during the 1920s and early 1930s. The historical accuracy of her description, given with no prior knowledge, impressed paranormal researchers.

Paranormal investigator teams have conducted multiple formal investigations at the Hotel Colorado since 2010. Several groups captured EVP recordings featuring unexplained voices responding to questions. Thermal imaging revealed cold spots moving through hallways with no natural explanation. Video footage shows objects moving independently and shadow figures passing through walls.

One investigation team recorded a child’s voice saying “come play with us” in an empty third-floor hallway. The recording occurred at 2:30 AM with no children registered as hotel guests. Multiple team members heard the voice in real-time before capturing it electronically. Analysis ruled out audio contamination or external sources for the clear, childish voice.

A couple celebrating their anniversary in 2020 reported a comforting encounter rather than a frightening one. They felt a gentle presence in their room that seemed protective and caring. Their belongings were arranged more neatly each time they left and returned. They believe the chambermaid was ensuring their special weekend was perfect.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Hotel Colorado has attracted numerous paranormal investigation teams and independent researchers over the years. While not featured on major television shows like Ghost Adventures or Ghost Hunters, it has appeared in regional paranormal programming. Local Colorado ghost hunting groups consider it a premier investigation location. The hotel cooperates with serious researchers who follow proper protocols and respect guests.

Investigation teams consistently document electromagnetic field fluctuations in specific areas throughout the building. EMF meters spike dramatically in Room 408, the fourth-floor hallway, and basement areas. These readings occur with no identifiable electrical sources nearby. Investigators note the patterns seem intelligent rather than random, responding to questions and requests.

Audio recordings have captured numerous unexplained voices and sounds throughout the property. EVP sessions yield responses in various languages, including English, Spanish, and what researchers believe might be Native American languages. Some recordings feature multiple voices having conversations with each other. The clarity and relevance of responses suggest intelligent hauntings rather than residual energy.

Video evidence includes shadow figures, light anomalies, and objects moving without physical contact. Cameras positioned in empty hallways capture doors opening and closing by themselves. Investigators have filmed elevator buttons pressing with no one nearby. These phenomena occur frequently enough that researchers consider the location highly active.

Psychic mediums who have visited the hotel report sensing numerous spirits throughout the building. They describe overwhelming emotions tied to different eras, particularly the World War II hospital period. Several mediums independently identified the same spirits without prior knowledge of each other’s findings. Their consistent descriptions of entities and their stories provide compelling correlating evidence.

Local Legends & Myths

Local legend claims that President Theodore Roosevelt’s ghost occasionally returns to his favorite hotel. While no confirmed sightings exist, some guests report a strong masculine presence in the presidential suite. The smell of cigar smoke sometimes manifests despite the hotel’s non-smoking policy. Roosevelt was an avid outdoorsman who loved the Glenwood Springs area and stayed at the hotel multiple times.

Another persistent legend involves a murder-suicide that allegedly occurred in the 1930s. The story describes a love triangle ending in tragedy on the third floor. No historical records confirm this event, making it likely an urban legend. However, the third floor does experience consistent paranormal activity that some attribute to this story.

The hotel tunnels feature prominently in local ghost stories and urban legends. Teenagers and young adults in Glenwood Springs have long told tales about the underground passages. Stories describe disembodied screams, phantom footsteps, and apparitions of wounded soldiers. While the tunnels are real, many of the stories have grown more elaborate with each retelling.

One particularly popular legend claims that a nurse from the hospital era haunts the basement. She supposedly went insane from the horror of treating so many wounded young men. According to the tale, she killed herself in a basement storage room. While dramatic, this story has no historical documentation supporting its veracity.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The Hotel Colorado is private property, and all visits must comply with hotel policies. Trespassing in restricted areas will result in immediate removal from the premises. The basement and tunnel systems are strictly off-limits without management permission. Structural concerns and safety hazards make unauthorized exploration dangerous and illegal.

Guests conducting paranormal investigations must not disturb other hotel visitors or interfere with operations. Equipment must be used discreetly, and investigations should occur in booked rooms only. Public area investigations require advance permission from hotel management. Violating these rules may result in removal without refund.

The building is old and contains original architectural features that may pose physical hazards. Watch for uneven flooring, low clearances, and narrow staircases in older sections. Emergency exits and fire safety equipment must never be blocked or tampered with. Report any structural concerns to hotel staff immediately for everyone’s safety.

Respect for other guests is paramount when staying at this active hotel. Noise levels must remain reasonable, especially during late-night paranormal investigations. Photography should not intrude on other guests’ privacy or comfort. Remember that many visitors are not interested in ghost hunting and deserve peaceful stays.