It’s finally Autumn and in the spirit of the upcoming Halloween season, I am excited to write about one of my favorite Halloween topics: haunted places. Whether you choose to believe in spirts, or ghosts or however you think of it or not, the knowing of a supposed haunted place invokes a sort of intrigue and curiosity in many people. With autumn quickly approaching, the foliage changing colors, the lingering smell of wood burning chimney’s, the changing direction of the wind, slowly dropping temperatures, and of course pumpkins everywhere! A perfect atmosphere and environment for ghost stories and haunted places in Colorado.
The thing that I feel actually piques the curiosity of folks is the question of “why”. Why is a certain place [supposedly] haunted?
In my home state of Colorado, there are loads of places that are haunted and many that are downright creepy enough to make the hair on the back of your neck rise. Colorado’s history is also filled with outlaws, silver and gold mining, railroads, cowboys, Native Americans and generally anything that looks like a John Wayne film. Below is a list of spooky and haunted places that perhaps you’ve already heard about and perhaps other places you’d want to experience for yourself.
Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, CO
Over time, the hotel gained notoriety long before Stephen King’s novel, The Shining, was a success but was originally built as a wellness getaway for the upper class of society. The hotel was opened on July 4, 1909 and it’s more permanent guests are said to still make appearances. The most notable is room 217, where King stayed and drew his inspiration; here the ghost of a maid can help you unpack if she likes you. Flora, the wife of Freeman Stanley, enjoyed playing the piano and is said to still appear and tap the ivories from time to time.
The Brown Palace Hotel, Denver, CO
This 124 year old hotel has attracted guests from rock and roll stars, royalty and presidents. The ghosts that hang around are both former guests and employees. For example, a formally dressed quartet band appears in Ellyngton’s Dining Rooms. The ghost of a Denver socialite haunts room 904 where she lived for 15 years is said to call the switchboard when the room isn’t rented. The ghosts that have been seen are that of a uniformed waiter, playing children, and even a railway conductor.
Tunnels under Denver, CO
Coloradans have heard about the tunnels under Denver but very few had the opportunity to see them which renders its existence questionable. They did in fact exist and were used to shuffle ladies of the night to high-profile dignitaries without causing a stir. It is said that even Al Capone used the tunnels when he was being hunted. These tunnels, though not open to the public, have had cases of people hearing voices, feeling cold spots, the feeling of being watched and touched. Too bad they’re closed.
Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Springs, CO
This hotel was built to resemble the Villa de Medici and aside it’s Italiante beauty, it’s spooky history has also been just as famous as the hotel itself. The Devereux room is said to be haunted by a girl who was murdered there. In fact, it’s easy to say that almost every part of this hotel can be haunted by various ghosts as during WWII the hotel acted as a U.S. Naval hospital. It is said that service elevators run by themselves, screams and grunts can be heard, ghosts of military men, and the smell of cigars can be smelt.
Cheesman Park, Denver, CO
This has not always been a park, in fact, it was first a graveyard. When the city decided to reuse the space, an undertaker was commissioned to take out the bodies but ended up being quite careless in how he was “handling” them. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some bones left under the turf and probably why some people hear disembodied voices while taking a stroll.
Third Bridge on County Line Road, Aurora, CO
It is said that the bridge is on land where a Native American massacre was, and also a deadly car crash in to late 90’s. The massacre had started because early settlers had killed a few Cheyenne and Arapaho tribespeople and the Native Americans retaliated. Later on, General Chivington lead an army to the land some miles away from the bridge, where the bridge crosses and opened pandoras box. There is a lot of confusion to the actual history of the massacre as there were many skirmishes and smaller battles fought between the settlers and Native Americans in the area. Some reports have claimed to hear Native American drums in the area, others the screams of women and children. Other reports have heard more modern voices, presumably from those who died in the car crash, and apparitions of a girl along the bridge.
Brook Forest Inn, Evergreen, CO
It’s fair to say that each floor of this little Inn has a permanent resident or two. Tales of this place are known by most, if not all, locals in the area. Here a chambermaid haunts the top floor who was murdered by her lover, a stable hand. The third floor is known for the patter of running feet belonging to a boy heard in the wee hours of the night, and the second floor is for a man named Carl who killed his wife after hearing of her affair. Though this place is in the mountains, cold breezes can also be felt. The forest where the Inn is located, is said to also be haunted by Native American spirits.
Molly Brown House, Denver, CO
It’s true what they say about Molly Brown, she was Unsinkable. Trying to see her today is hard considering her house is now a museum. However, it’s been documented that she’s been seen, along with the smell of cigar smoke which her husband enjoyed. Some people also have seen the apparition of a nutty butler standing behind them in mirrors. The ghost of a possible maid named “Johanna” is also said to be seen in an upstairs bedroom.
Mining Hills and the cities of Black Hawk and Central City, CO
Black Hawk and Central City were popular towns to strike it rich during the Gold Rush. The areas in and around these towns and where the old mines once stood house an array of ghostly activity. Areas of well known haunts are the cemetary in Central City, the Teller House, Gilpin Hotel, and the Opera House. Now a bustling casino area, you can still try your luck trying to see a ghost.
Corridor 44, Denver, CO
This bar was formally known as Josephine’s, a secret speakeasy during the Prohibition Era. The ghost that supposedly haunts the bar is Amelia, the wife of the former owner. It is said that bottles are upturned, mirrors broken in the bathrooms, furniture being moved. She was enraged because the couple hired a gunman to get the daughter’s boyfriend “out of the picture” and in addition to the boyfriend, the hired gunman also killed the daughter.
There are plenty more haunts around the state but nothing makes your skin tingle more than a good ghost story.
Please take note that some places have strict no trespassing laws and I strongly encourage you to abide by all regulations. Please also take caution as some places are in disrepair and unsafe for exploring or visiting. Other places may not be available to the public.
