Haunted Hotels in Colorado You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Colorado with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
Cities in Colorado with haunted hotels
23 Haunted Hotels Found in Colorado
Leland House Bed and Breakfast
721 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301, USA
The Leland House, alongside its sister property the Rochester Hotel, shares tales rooted in Durango's history. While specific named entities aren't widely publicized for the Leland House itself, its construction in 1892 places it firmly in an era of expansion and sometimes hardship. Guests occasionally report subtle occurrences: feelings of a presence, faint sounds from empty rooms, or fleeting shadows in peripheral vision. These are often attributed to the collective history of those who lived and passed through Durango during its formative years.
Rochester Hotel
726 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301, USA
Sharing history with its neighbor, the Leland House, the Rochester Hotel taps into Durango's Old West past. While it promotes itself with unique, Western movie-themed rooms, its age and location contribute to paranormal tales. Staff and guests sometimes speak of seeing shadowy figures dressed in what appears to be late 19th or early 20th-century attire. There are also less defined experiences like sudden chills or the feeling of being watched, common in buildings from Durango's frontier days where life was often hard and uncertain.
The Hotel St. Nicholas
123 N 3rd St, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Built originally as the Sisters of Mercy hospital in 1898, The Hotel St. Nicholas has strong associations with life and death. One prominent spirit is believed to be 'Stinky,' possibly a former hospital orderly or miner, identifiable by an occasional phantom odor. Another presence is described as a 'shadow man' or 'tall man' often seen in hallways or peering into rooms. Given its hospital origins, feelings of being watched, unexplained drafts, and disembodied voices are common paranormal claims, suggesting former patients may also linger.
Creede Hotel
120 N Main St, Creede, CO 81130, USA
The Creede Hotel, built during the peak of Creede's wild silver boom in 1892, is reputedly haunted by several entities reflecting its colorful past. One commonly reported spirit is 'Willow,' believed to be a former 'lady of the evening,' sometimes sensed or seen. Another presence felt is linked to a man supposedly shot in a gambling dispute within or near the hotel. Guests have described cold spots, electronic disturbances, and hearing faint saloon music or arguments from unoccupied areas.
Patterson Inn
420 E 11th Ave, Denver, CO 80203, USA
The Patterson Inn resides in the allegedly haunted Croke-Patterson-Campbell Mansion. Built in the late 19th century, stories surround the original owner, Thomas Croke, who some say never truly left. Paranormal claims include phantom footsteps, unexplained noises, and eerie feelings, particularly on the third floor. There are tales of items moving on their own and shadowy figures seen in hallways. Some even connect strange events to purported suicides that occurred within the mansion walls over its long history.
The Broadmoor
1 Lake Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA
While primarily known for luxury, The Broadmoor occasionally faces spectral speculation, largely centered around its founder, Spencer Penrose, or his wife, Julie. Some anecdotal reports suggest Julie Penrose might still oversee her beloved hotel, manifesting as fleeting apparitions or unexplained scents, particularly in areas she frequented like the Penrose Heritage Museum or older parts of the main hotel. Unlike overtly 'haunted' locations, activity at The Broadmoor is described as very subtle, more like echoes of its opulent past than overt disturbances.
The Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens
2555 W 37th Ave, Denver, CO 80211, USA
The Lumber Baron Inn carries a tragic history. In 1970, two young women, Cara Lee Knoche (17) and Marianne Weaver (18), were murdered within the building when it was an apartment house. This unsolved crime is believed to be the source of much of the paranormal activity. Guests and staff report seeing apparitions of young women, hearing footsteps running upstairs as if trying to escape, and feeling sudden cold spots or overwhelming sadness. Some psychics claim one of the spirits is very active and trying to communicate details about her death.
The Oxford Hotel
1600 17th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA
Denver's historic Oxford Hotel has several well-known ghostly legends. One concerns a woman named Florence Montague who, in 1898, was found murdered in Room 320 by her lover. Male guests staying in Room 320 have reported lights flickering, sheets being pulled off, and even feeling cold spots or being touched. Another story involves a postal worker who was seen enjoying a beer in the Cruise Room long after his death; single male guests sometimes report having their drink inexplicably finished or moved while looking away.
The Windsor Hotel
605 Grand Ave, Del Norte, CO 81132, USA
The Windsor Hotel, established in 1874, is considered one of the most haunted places in the San Luis Valley. Its most famous ghost is 'Maude,' a woman who appears in a white or lavender dress, often associated with heartbreak after her fiancé failed to return. She's frequently seen or sensed near room 206 and on the main staircase. Other reports include apparitions of cowboys, phantom piano music when no one is playing, and children's laughter. The hotel's long history suggests many stories could contribute to its spectral population.
Western Hotel & Spa
210 7th Ave, Ouray, CO 81427, USA
The Western Hotel, dating back to 1891 in Ouray's mining heyday, is part of local ghostly lore. One often-mentioned spirit is 'Esther,' believed to have been a lady of the evening who frequented or worked in the hotel/saloon. She is associated with unexplained scents of perfume and brief appearances. Given Ouray's mining past, general activity such as disembodied voices, footsteps in empty halls, and flickering lights are sometimes reported, potentially linked to miners or others who passed through during its long history.
Brown Palace Hotel
321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA
The Brown Palace Hotel, a Denver institution since 1892, boasts several ghostly tales. Staff and guests have reported seeing apparitions in formal attire resembling railroad workers or musicians, perhaps from past eras. The Club Room often features phantom cigar smoke. Room 904 is particularly noted; it's linked to Mrs. Louise Crawford Hill, a socialite who lived there for years. Reports include unexplained phone calls originating from the room, even when unoccupied, and feelings of being watched. There are also stories of spectral children running in the corridors and sounds of a string quartet practicing.
Hand Hotel B&B
531 Front St, Fairplay, CO 80440, USA
The Hand Hotel, built in 1931 but on the site of previous hotels dating back to the mining era, is considered one of Fairplay's most haunted spots. Guests and staff report encounters with several spirits. One is believed to be a woman named Essie, who lingers in Room 9 or 11, possibly seeking her lover. Another is 'the Doctor,' thought to be a former owner who sometimes makes his presence known through unexplained cold spots and sounds. There are also accounts of ghostly children playing and disembodied voices.
Hotel Teatro
1100 14th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA
Hotel Teatro occupies a building constructed in 1911 that previously housed the Denver Tramway building. While less notorious for specific named ghosts, it has reports consistent with residual energy. Staff and guests have mentioned encounters with a figure referred to as 'The Tool Man,' believed to be a former mechanic or engineer from the Tramway days, particularly in the lower levels/basement. Other experiences include faint sounds of machinery, flickering lights, and doors opening or closing seemingly on their own, possibly linked to the building's original function and workers.
Strater Hotel
699 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301, USA
The Strater Hotel, operating since 1887, is one of Durango's most famous haunted locations. Numerous entities are reported. A prominent figure is a 'man in white' or 'railroad man,' often seen on the upper floors and near the railroad-facing side. A 'woman in period dress' is also sighted, sometimes believed to be a former owner. Room 223 (formerly 333) is particularly active, allegedly associated with a fatal shooting. Guests report disembodied voices, items moving, and electrical disturbances throughout the building, reflecting its long and eventful history.
Cliff House at Pikes Peak
306 Cañon Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829, USA
The Cliff House, with origins back to 1873, naturally accrues ghostly tales. While often described as benevolent, activity includes disembodied voices or laughter, particularly in older sections. Some report sensing figures in period clothing or experiencing doors opening/closing. A recurring theme is the sense of unseen 'party-goers' from its long history as a social hub. There isn't one dominant ghostly figure, but rather an accumulation of energies from over a century of guests and events.
Hotel Jerome
330 E Main St, Aspen, CO 81611, USA
This beautiful hotel in the heart of Colorado’s ski country is called Hotel Jerome, but it also has another, more sinister name: The Bad Luck Hotel. Over the decades, many guests have checked into Hotel Jerome but never checked out. Among them is 'The Water Boy,' the spirit of a little boy who drowned in the hotel pool in 1936, who appears dripping wet and shivering to guests in and around room 310, where his family was staying when he died. There's also Henry O'Callister, who is said to have died of a broken heart and can still be heard weeping in the halls at night. The ghost of a former hotel maid named Katie, who died of pneumonia in the hotel after a prank gone wrong, reportedly still shows up to work, sometimes making beds and tidying up rooms before the current—and living—hotel staff can get to them.
Black Monarch Hotel
301 Victor Ave, Victor, CO 80860, USA
The building housing the Black Monarch Hotel was originally a saloon, brothel, and gambling hall during Victor's Gold Rush boom, known as 'The Monarch'. It witnessed considerable violence and 'rough' living. Reborn as the Black Monarch, it embraces its dark history. Staff and guests report experiences aligning with its past, including sounds of old-time saloon music and laughter, apparitions of women believed to be former 'ladies of the night,' and feelings of being watched. One particular room is often associated with a spirit named 'Elizabeth,' who dislikes male guests. There's also a story linking Nikola Tesla to the building during his experiments nearby, though direct haunting connections are speculative.
Last Dollar Inn
206 E Masonic Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
The Last Dollar Inn, though less documented than some larger Cripple Creek establishments, shares in the town's general haunted reputation stemming from its gold rush era. Stories are more general and less specific, involving feelings of being watched, doors closing unexpectedly, or faint noises attributed to past residents or events in the historically volatile mining town. Proximity to other known haunted locations like the Colorado Grande contributes to speculation about lingering spirits throughout the district.
Colorado Grande Hotel & Casino
300 Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
The Colorado Grande Hotel & Casino is known for its resident ghost, 'Maggie,' believed to have been an Irish woman from the early 1900s. She is often seen or sensed in period clothing, particularly near the slot machines area and sometimes in hotel rooms. Maggie is described as mostly benevolent but sometimes playful, associated with the scent of roses or floral perfume, moving objects slightly, or making her presence felt. Some say she enjoys watching people play slots, possibly recalling a past enjoyment or connection.
Hotel Colorado
526 Pine St, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, USA
Hotel Colorado has a rich history of unexplained phenomena, documented since the 1940s but potentially occurring earlier. Reports include the smell of cigar smoke when no one is smoking, believed to be associated with past owner Walter Devereux. A young girl in Victorian clothing is sometimes seen playing in the hallways, particularly near the Devereaux Suite. Room 325 is often cited as a hotspot for activity, with reports of lights turning on/off and shadows. During its time as a WWII Naval Convalescent hospital, deaths occurred, possibly contributing to the lingering spirits. Notably, a chambermaid named 'Molly' Brown (not the Titanic survivor) who was allegedly murdered over a love triangle is said to haunt the building.
Grand Imperial Hotel
1219 Greene St, Silverton, CO 81433, USA
The Grand Imperial Hotel, built in 1882 during Silverton's mining boom, claims several ghostly residents. One frequently reported spirit is a woman in Victorian dress, believed to be associated with the hotel's early days, possibly named 'Sarah' or 'Lily.' She is often seen in hallways or rooms, sometimes accompanied by the scent of perfume. Another tale involves a gambler or miner who met an untimely end and lingers around the bar/saloon area. Guests report cold spots, disembodied voices, and objects moving unexpectedly.
Steam Train Hotel
501 Terrace Ave, Antonito, CO 81120, USA
The Steam Train Hotel's spectral stories are often linked to its proximity and connection to the historic railroad. Reports include sounds resembling old train whistles or steam hissing at odd hours. More specifically, some speak of a ghostly 'conductor' or 'brakeman' figure seen briefly on the grounds or near the depot. Given Antonito's long railroad history, tales may stem from actual accidents or strong attachments of former railroad workers to the area and their profession.
Victor Hotel
321 Victor Ave, Victor, CO 80860, USA
The Victor Hotel, built in 1899, has endured fires and the booms and busts of a mining town. One persistent spirit is believed to be 'Eddie,' a miner who reportedly fell or was pushed down the main staircase. His presence is often felt around the stairs and on the 4th floor. Room 301 is another focal point, where guests report cold spots, items moving, and feelings of unease. Given Victor's rough-and-tumble past, it's believed many spirits tied to its mining history still wander the hotel and town.
Haunted History of Colorado
Colorado's haunted history is forged in the gold and silver rushes of the 19th century. The promise of unimaginable wealth drew thousands of prospectors to the treacherous Rocky Mountains, giving birth to legendary boomtowns like Cripple Creek, Leadville, and Central City. Life in these mining camps was a gamble of high stakes and sudden death, with fortunes made and lost overnight, and lives cut short by mining accidents, violent shootouts, and the unforgiving mountain elements. The ghosts of these miners, gamblers, and saloon girls are the primary spirits of the Centennial State, forever tied to the boomtowns they helped build.
Beyond the mining camps, the vast and imposing landscape of the Rocky Mountains has its own spectral lore. The isolation and harsh conditions have created countless tales of lost pioneers and the lingering spirits of Native American tribes who once called the mountains home. This potent combination of Wild West violence and the profound, often tragic, human struggle against nature has made Colorado a premier destination for those seeking the paranormal. It's a place where the echoes of the past are never far away, especially in the historic hotels that once housed the hopeful and the damned.
Other Haunted Attractions in Colorado
- The Historic Stanley Hotel Tours (Estes Park): This majestic hotel is the iconic landmark that inspired Stephen King's "The Shining." While it is a world-famous haunted hotel, the Historic Stanley Hotel Tours are a standalone attraction, guiding visitors through the hotel's history and its most paranormally active areas, like Room 217. The spirits of founders F.O. and Flora Stanley are said to be eternal hosts, still overseeing their grand hotel.
- Cheesman Park (Denver): This beautiful, sprawling park in the heart of Denver has a dark secret: it was built directly on top of the city's first cemetery. During a botched removal of the bodies in the 1890s, thousands of graves were left behind, and their residents remain to this day. Visitors to Cheesman Park report seeing shadowy figures, hearing the mournful cries of children, and feeling an overwhelming sense of being watched after dark.
- Museum of Colorado Prisons (Cañon City): Housed in a former women's prison building from 1935, this museum sits right next to the still-active Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility. The building is filled with artifacts and chilling stories from over 140 years of the state's prison history. The Museum of Colorado Prisons is considered highly haunted by the spirits of former inmates, with reports of ghostly apparitions in cells, disembodied coughing, and phantom tobacco smoke.
- Cripple Creek Ghost Tours (Cripple Creek): The entire former gold mining town of Cripple Creek is considered a paranormal hotspot, and the best way to experience it is with a guided tour. Companies like Cripple Creek Ghost Tours lead visitors through the historic streets, sharing tales of mining disasters, haunted brothels, and the many spirits that still wander this remarkably preserved piece of the Wild West.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Colorado
- Acclimate to the Altitude: Many of Colorado's most haunted towns are a mile high or more. Give yourself a day to adjust and drink plenty of water. The thin air can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded, which can easily be mistaken for a paranormal encounter!
- Explore a Ghost Town: Colorado is home to dozens of abandoned or semi-abandoned mining towns. Visiting places like St. Elmo or Animas Forks provides an incredibly authentic and spooky backdrop for understanding the state's haunted history.
- Dress in Layers: Mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. A beautiful, sunny day can quickly turn into a cold, foggy, or snowy evening—perfect weather for a ghost hunt, but only if you're dressed for it.
- Read "The Shining": If your travels are taking you anywhere near Estes Park or The Stanley Hotel, reading Stephen King's iconic novel is required. It will fundamentally enhance the chilling atmosphere and the stories you'll hear.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Colorado
Are haunted hotels in Colorado safe to stay in? Absolutely. Colorado's haunted hotels are renowned for their historic charm and beauty, but they are also fully operational, modern establishments that prioritize the safety and comfort of their living guests.
What is the most haunted place in Colorado? The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park holds the title for the most famous haunted location, thanks to its connection to "The Shining." However, entire former mining towns like Cripple Creek and Leadville, as well as historic neighborhoods in Denver, are considered by many to be just as paranormally active.
Are all the ghosts in Colorado from the Gold Rush? While the spirits of miners and pioneers are the most famous, Colorado's spectral population is diverse. You'll find tales of Victorian socialites in Denver's mansions, the restless souls buried under Cheesman Park, and the ghosts of inmates in the state's old prisons.
What's the best time of year for a haunted trip to Colorado? Autumn is arguably the best time. The golden aspen leaves and crisp, cool mountain air create a spectacular and spooky setting, especially in the Rockies. A winter stay, however, offers a unique and chilling experience, echoing the snowbound isolation that made The Stanley Hotel so famous.