Discover the Most Haunted Places in Colorado: Your Complete Paranormal Guide

Colorado’s rugged mountains and Old West history create the perfect backdrop for paranormal activity. From gold rush ghost towns to Victorian-era hotels, the Centennial State harbors some of America’s most actively haunted locations. Whether you’re a serious paranormal investigator or just curious about the supernatural, Colorado offers spine-tingling experiences around every corner.

Why Colorado Is a Paranormal Hotspot

The state’s violent frontier past left behind more than just history books. Mining disasters, tuberculosis sanatoriums, and Wild West shootouts created tragic circumstances that many believe keep spirits bound to this plane. The thin mountain air and high altitude might also play a role—some paranormal researchers theorize that the atmospheric conditions enhance spiritual energy.

Colorado’s haunted reputation stretches from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope, with concentration in historic mining towns like Central City, Cripple Creek, and Leadville. The state’s preservation of Victorian-era architecture means many original buildings still stand, complete with their ghostly residents.

The Stanley Hotel: America’s Most Famous Haunted Hotel

Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Built: 1909
Claim to Fame: Inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining”

The Stanley Hotel towers over Estes Park like a white crown, its 142 rooms housing more than just living guests. F.O. Stanley built this Georgian Colonial Revival masterpiece as a tuberculosis recovery resort, and many believe some patients never truly checked out.

Paranormal Activity: Room 217 experiences the most reported activity, where guests encounter the ghost of Elizabeth Wilson, a housekeeper injured in an explosion. She’s known for unpacking suitcases and tucking guests into bed. The fourth floor, originally servants’ quarters, echoes with children’s laughter and running footsteps late at night.

The Concert Hall hosts phantom piano music from F.O. Stanley himself, who occasionally appears in the lobby and bar. His wife Flora manifests in the Music Room, where her ghostly piano performances have been witnessed by multiple guests. The billiard room becomes particularly active after dark, with unexplained voices and the sound of pool balls clicking together.

Visitor Information: The hotel offers ghost tours year-round, including a five-hour investigation package for serious enthusiasts. You can book a room and conduct your own investigation, though Room 217 and fourth-floor rooms book months in advance during peak paranormal season (October-November).

The Molly Brown House Museum

Location: Denver, Colorado
Built: 1889
Haunted By: Titanic survivor Margaret “Molly” Brown

This Victorian townhouse in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood became home to one of Colorado’s most famous residents. Margaret Brown survived the Titanic disaster in 1912, earning her “Unsinkable” nickname, but many believe she never left her beloved Denver home.

Paranormal Activity: Staff and visitors report seeing Molly’s ghost in period dress, particularly in her bedroom and the dining room. The scent of pipe tobacco wafts through rooms where Molly’s husband J.J. smoked. Furniture moves on its own, pictures tilt without explanation, and vintage music plays from empty rooms.

The second floor experiences the most activity, with cold spots forming suddenly and the sensation of being watched. Some visitors report gentle pushes or tugs on their clothing, as if an unseen presence wants their attention. During tours, electronic devices frequently malfunction, and cameras often refuse to work in specific rooms.

Visitor Information: The museum offers standard tours highlighting Molly’s life, with occasional evening ghost tours during October. The staff welcomes paranormal investigators by appointment, and many local ghost hunting groups have documented compelling evidence here.

Hotel Colorado: Glenwood Springs’ Grand Dame

Location: Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Built: 1893
Historical Note: Once visited by Presidents and celebrities

This stunning Italian Renaissance Revival hotel along the Colorado River has hosted everyone from Teddy Roosevelt to the Unsinkable Molly Brown. Its elegant halls also host several permanent spectral residents who seem unwilling to leave.

Paranormal Activity: The fifth floor experiences the most concentrated paranormal activity. A chambermaid who died in a fire appears in period uniform, straightening rooms and rearranging towels. Guests report their belongings moved to different locations overnight, beds made by invisible hands, and the overwhelming scent of lavender in specific rooms.

A little girl’s ghost plays in the hallways, her giggles echoing through empty corridors. She’s been seen bouncing a ball and hiding around corners, though she vanishes when approached. Some believe she died of an illness while staying at the hotel with her family.

The basement contains an old kitchen where phantom cooking smells drift through the air—bread baking, meat roasting, and coffee brewing despite the area being long abandoned. Kitchen equipment occasionally turns on by itself, and shadows move across the walls without any apparent source.

Visitor Information: The hotel operates normally as a luxury resort, and guests can book rooms on any floor. The staff is familiar with the paranormal reports and generally accommodating to ghost enthusiasts, though official ghost tours are not regularly offered.

Buffalo Bill’s Grave and Museum

Location: Golden, Colorado (Lookout Mountain)
Established: 1917 (burial site)
Haunted By: William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody

Perched atop Lookout Mountain with sweeping views of Denver, Buffalo Bill’s final resting place attracts history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts alike. The legendary showman’s spirit apparently still enjoys the spotlight.

Paranormal Activity: Visitors report seeing Buffalo Bill’s ghost near his gravesite, dressed in his iconic buckskin and hat. He appears most frequently around sunset, standing at the overlook gazing toward Denver. Some witnesses report he tips his hat before fading away.

Inside the museum, his presence manifests through unexplained cold spots, the scent of leather and horses, and displays that mysteriously rearrange themselves overnight. Motion sensors trigger without visible cause, particularly near exhibits featuring his personal belongings.

The gift shop experiences poltergeist-like activity, with items falling from shelves and doors opening on their own. Staff members report feeling watched and occasionally hear boot steps on the wooden floors when the building is empty.

Visitor Information: The museum and grave site are open daily with standard admission fees. The area is accessible year-round, though winter weather can impact access. Photography is encouraged, and many visitors capture unexplained anomalies in their photos, particularly orbs and mists around the gravesite.

Cripple Creek: An Entire Haunted Town

Location: Cripple Creek, Colorado
Founded: 1891
Historical Context: Gold rush boomtown

This entire town functions as a living ghost town, where the past and present overlap. Once home to 50,000 gold-hungry prospectors, Cripple Creek’s population plummeted when the gold ran out, but many spirits apparently chose to stay.

The Imperial Hotel: Built in 1896, this three-story Victorian hotel hosts multiple ghosts. Room 3 contains the spirit of a prostitute who died violently in the room. Guests report being touched, hearing whispers, and seeing a woman in Victorian dress. She’s known for turning water faucets on and playing with room electronics.

The Old Homestead Parlor House: Colorado’s last remaining Victorian brothel operated until 1973, and the working girls apparently never clocked out. Visitors report hearing music, laughter, and conversations in empty rooms. Perfume scents drift through hallways, and the ghost of Pearl DeVere, the original madam, appears in upstairs windows.

Maggie’s Restaurant: Built in the 1890s, this former hotel and brothel now serves food alongside paranormal experiences. The upstairs rooms contain serious activity, including full-bodied apparitions, objects moving, and the sound of parties happening in empty spaces. The basement reveals itself as particularly oppressive, with many visitors feeling unwelcome.

Visitor Information: Cripple Creek offers multiple ghost tours throughout the year, intensifying during October. Many buildings participate in ghost hunting events, and you can book overnight investigations at several locations. The entire town embraces its haunted reputation, making it extremely paranormal-investigator friendly.

The Brown Palace Hotel

Location: Denver, Colorado
Built: 1892
Architectural Style: Italian Renaissance

Denver’s most prestigious hotel has hosted presidents, celebrities, and apparently, a few guests who refused to check out even after death. This National Historic Landmark combines luxury accommodation with documented paranormal activity.

Paranormal Activity: Several ghosts haunt different areas of this triangular hotel. A string quartet plays phantom music in the atrium, their ghostly performances heard most frequently on quiet weekday afternoons. Staff members report the music stops abruptly if anyone searches for the source.

A waiter in period uniform appears in the dining areas, walking through tables and walls. He’s been seen carrying a tray and sometimes interacts with guests before vanishing. The second floor hosts a crying baby whose sobs echo through hallways, though no child is ever found.

The most famous ghost is a former guest who died in Room 904. Visitors to this room report strange knockings, items moving, and an overwhelming sense of sadness. Some guests request room changes, while paranormal enthusiasts specifically book this room.

Visitor Information: The Brown Palace operates as a luxury hotel, and ghost tours are occasionally offered through third-party companies. Booking specific “haunted” rooms requires advance notice, and the hotel staff maintains discretion about paranormal matters while not denying the stories.

Cheesman Park: Denver’s Haunted Green Space

Location: Denver, Colorado
Original Use: Mount Prospect Cemetery (1858-1890s)
Current Use: Public park

Beneath the manicured lawns and jogging paths of Cheesman Park lie thousands of forgotten graves. When the city converted this cemetery into a park, the removal of bodies was horrifically mishandled, leaving countless corpses behind.

The Dark History: E.P. McGovern won the contract to relocate bodies but was paid by the casket. He began chopping adult corpses into pieces to fit children’s caskets, maximizing profit. Citizens discovered his grotesque work, and he fled town, leaving approximately 2,000 bodies in the ground. The park was built directly over them.

Paranormal Activity: Visitors report shadow figures moving between trees, unexplained fog banks appearing on clear days, and the sensation of being followed. The area where the original pavilion stood experiences the most activity, with reports of disembodied voices, screaming, and sobbing.

Many people feel unwelcome in certain areas, experiencing sudden nausea, dizziness, and overwhelming sadness. Dogs refuse to enter specific sections and often bark at empty spaces. Joggers and cyclists report being pushed or tripped by invisible forces.

Photography reveals unusual anomalies—orbs, mists, and occasionally what appear to be Victorian-era figures in the background. Electronic equipment malfunctions frequently, and car batteries mysteriously die in the parking area.

Visitor Information: Cheesman Park is public and open during daylight hours. No official ghost tours operate here, but local paranormal groups frequently investigate after dark (though technically the park closes at 11 PM). The area is safe during the day but develops an unsettling atmosphere after sunset.

The Hotel Jerome

Location: Aspen, Colorado
Built: 1889
Haunted By: A boy who drowned in the elevator shaft

This luxury hotel in Aspen’s downtown core combines Victorian elegance with modern amenities and a resident ghost story that has persisted for over a century.

Paranormal Activity: The ghost of a young boy appears throughout the hotel but concentrates his activities on the third floor. He died in the 1930s when he fell down the elevator shaft. Guests report hearing him running through hallways, bouncing a ball, and giggling. He’s described as wearing early 20th-century clothing.

The elevator exhibits unusual behavior—stopping on the third floor without being called, doors opening to reveal empty hallways, and occasional sightings of the boy’s reflection in the polished brass fixtures. Some guests report the boy entering their rooms at night, standing at the foot of the bed before fading away.

Room 310 experiences particularly strong activity, with objects moving, lights flickering, and the television turning on and off. The boy seems playful rather than malicious, though some guests find his presence unsettling.

Visitor Information: The Hotel Jerome operates as a luxury resort year-round. The staff acknowledges the ghost stories but maintains professional discretion. You can request Room 310 specifically, though it’s a popular room for both paranormal and non-paranormal guests.

St. Elmo Ghost Town

Location: Near Buena Vista, Colorado
Abandoned: 1922
Current Status: Preserved ghost town

Unlike many Colorado ghost towns reduced to foundations and rusting equipment, St. Elmo remains remarkably intact. Buildings stand in arrested decay, frozen in time when the last residents departed. It’s one of Colorado’s best-preserved ghost towns and reportedly one of its most haunted.

The History: St. Elmo thrived during the mining boom with 2,000 residents, multiple saloons, a telegraph office, and a train depot. When the railroad shut down and mines closed, the population evaporated almost overnight. The Stark family, particularly Annabelle Stark, stayed until 1952, maintaining buildings and hoping residents would return.

Paranormal Activity: Annabelle Stark’s ghost reportedly haunts her former home and the general store she operated. Visitors see her in windows, hear footsteps on the wooden floors, and smell fresh-baked bread—her signature specialty. She appears as a woman in early 20th-century dress, sometimes waving from windows before disappearing.

The old hotel experiences poltergeist activity, with objects moving and doors slamming shut. Voices echo from empty rooms, and piano music drifts from the abandoned saloon. Photography often captures unexplained light anomalies and shadow figures in building windows.

Many visitors report an overwhelming sensation of being watched, particularly when exploring alone. Electronic equipment drains quickly, and compasses spin erratically. The entire town maintains an eerie atmosphere, even in bright daylight.

Visitor Information: St. Elmo is accessible year-round, though winter snow can make roads impassable. You can walk through the town freely and enter some buildings. The area is managed by the Chaffee County Heritage Area, and they ask visitors to respect the historic structures. No official ghost tours operate here, making it ideal for independent investigation.

Tips for Visiting Colorado’s Haunted Places

Best Times to Visit: October brings peak paranormal tourism, with many locations offering special tours and events. However, serious investigators often prefer off-season visits (January-March) when locations are less crowded and spirits may be more active. Full moons and historical anniversary dates often see increased activity.

What to Bring: Pack layers regardless of season—Colorado weather changes rapidly, and paranormal cold spots can drop temperatures significantly. Bring flashlights with extra batteries (they drain quickly during paranormal encounters), cameras, voice recorders, and EMF detectors if you have them. A notebook for documenting experiences proves invaluable.

Respectful Investigation: Remember these locations have histories rooted in real tragedies. Approach investigations respectfully, never provoke spirits aggressively, and follow all posted rules. Many haunted locations are private property or active businesses—always obtain permission before investigating.

Safety Considerations: Never investigate alone, especially in abandoned buildings. Ghost towns often contain structural hazards, wildlife, and extremely remote locations without cell service. Tell someone your plans and expected return time. Bring water, first aid supplies, and emergency equipment.

Documenting Evidence: Keep your phone charged and bring backup batteries for all equipment. Take baseline readings before investigations begin. Document everything—time, location, weather conditions, and witnesses. Video and audio recordings often capture phenomena invisible to the naked eye.

Planning Your Paranormal Colorado Road Trip

Colorado’s compact geography makes visiting multiple haunted locations feasible in a single trip. Consider this itinerary:

Day 1-2: Denver Metro Area Start with the Molly Brown House Museum, Brown Palace Hotel, and Cheesman Park. All are within Denver city limits and easily accessible.

Day 3: Estes Park Drive to the Stanley Hotel (90 minutes from Denver). Book overnight accommodations to experience the full paranormal potential.

Day 4: Central Colorado Visit St. Elmo Ghost Town and surrounding abandoned mining towns near Buena Vista.

Day 5: Mountain Towns Explore Cripple Creek’s multiple haunted locations, staying overnight to investigate after dark.

Day 6: Western Slope Drive to Glenwood Springs for the Hotel Colorado, then continue to Aspen for the Hotel Jerome if time permits.

Conclusion: Colorado’s Haunted Legacy Lives On

Colorado’s haunted locations offer more than just ghost stories—they provide windows into the state’s tumultuous past. Mining disasters, frontier violence, and the harsh realities of 19th-century life created countless tragedies that apparently left spiritual imprints still detectable today.

Whether you’re a skeptic seeking historical education or a believer hoping for paranormal contact, Colorado’s haunted places deliver compelling experiences. The combination of well-preserved Victorian architecture, documented tragic histories, and consistent paranormal reports makes the Centennial State a premier destination for supernatural tourism.

These spirits aren’t just random hauntings—they’re remnants of real people who lived, loved, suffered, and died in pursuit of the Colorado dream. Approaching these locations with respect and curiosity honors their memory while potentially opening doors to experiences beyond our normal understanding.

Pack your ghost hunting equipment, charge your cameras, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through Colorado’s paranormal landscape. The spirits are waiting, and they have stories to tell those willing to listen.