12 Colorado Historic Buildings With Ghost Stories That Refuse To Fade Away

A hotel switchboard once lit up with calls from a room that had no phone in it. The room had once been home to a socialite who lived there for fifteen years.

That story still gives me goosebumps. Colorado is packed with old mining towns, grand hotels, and stone mansions from its boom years.

Plenty of them come with ghost stories that guests and staff keep sharing decades later.

I love that these tales stick to real places you can actually visit. You can book a famous haunted room, sip tea inside a castle, or walk past old prison cells.

Most are still open, which feels like a dare.

Some stories are spooky, and some are oddly sweet. My favorite involves a ghost who seems to enjoy tidying up after hotel guests.

So which haunted building in Colorado would you dare to spend a night in?

1. The Stanley Hotel

One overnight stay in 1974 gave Stephen King the spark for The Shining. Not bad for a single night in Room 217.

Freelan Oscar Stanley, co-founder of the Stanley Motor Carriage Company, opened this Georgian Revival hotel on July 4, 1909. It sits high above Estes Park with big views of the Rocky Mountains.

The building joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Today it still welcomes overnight guests, and it serves food and offers spa services too.

Now for the ghosts. Room 217 is linked to Elizabeth Wilson, a chief housekeeper who was hurt in a 1911 accident in that room.

Stories say she still keeps things tidy. Guests have reported belongings being moved, unpacked, or neatly folded by unseen hands.

Honestly, a ghost who does your laundry sounds like a pretty good deal. Just don’t expect a tip jar.

Then there’s the music. Visitors describe piano notes drifting from the empty ballroom, often tied to Flora Stanley, the founder’s wife.

Some guests also report children’s laughter echoing down quiet hallways. It’s the kind of sound that makes you check your door lock twice.

You don’t have to stay overnight to soak up the legends. The hotel runs historic tours, after-dark ghost tours, and a tour focused on The Shining.

Book ahead if you want an evening tour slot. Then bring a flashlight and a brave friend.

Address: 333 East Wonderview Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517

2. Hotel Colorado

President Theodore Roosevelt stayed here, and legend says the teddy bear story has ties to his visit. The ghost stories, though, are what keep people talking.

Construction on this Italianate landmark in Glenwood Springs began in 1891. The hotel officially opened in 1893 as a grand resort for wealthy travelers.

During World War II, the building took on a very different role. It served as a U.S.

Naval Hospital for wounded service members.

That wartime chapter shows up in many of its legends. One popular tale involves a nurse named Bobbie said to wander the main floor.

Room 661 has its own reputation. Guests have described a woman’s figure who keeps closing the windows, which is one way to handle a draft.

Other reports sound almost cinematic. People mention cigar smoke in the lobby, a faint perfume smell, and voices with no visible speaker.

Even the elevator joins the fun. Stories claim it sometimes heads to upper floors when nobody has pressed a button.

You can still book a room here and judge for yourself. It’s a short walk to downtown Glenwood Springs and its famous hot springs.

Ask at the front desk about the hotel’s history. Staff often share the backstory behind the building and its famous guests.

Address: 526 Pine Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

3. The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa

Calls kept coming from Room 904 after its famous resident was gone, even though the room had no phone. That’s how this hotel’s most famous ghost story begins.

Opened in 1892, the Brown Palace is a downtown Denver landmark. Its triangular shape and soaring atrium lobby make it easy to spot.

Room 904 was home to Louise Crawford Hill, a Denver socialite, from 1940 to 1955. Staff later reported switchboard calls from that room during renovations, with no telephone connected.

She isn’t the only legend in residence. The old San Marco Room is tied to stories of a string quartet heard practicing when nobody is playing.

Railroad fans will like this one. A man in an old-fashioned conductor’s uniform has reportedly been spotted near the former ticket office before slipping through a wall.

The hotel was named among the most haunted hotels in the country by Historic Hotels of America in 2025. That’s quite the badge for a building this elegant.

Want to experience it without booking a suite? Afternoon tea in the lobby is a classic Denver tradition here.

History tours run throughout the year. In October, special haunted tours dig into the spookier side of the building.

Plan your visit around one of those fall tours if ghost stories are your thing. Reserve early, since spooky season fills up fast.

Address: 321 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202

4. Hotel Boulderado

New Year’s Day 1909 marked the grand opening of Boulder’s first luxury hotel. A gala ball the night before kicked things off in style.

Look up when you enter the lobby. A stunning stained-glass ceiling glows above a cantilevered cherrywood staircase.

The hotel is a City of Boulder landmark. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Of course, some guests seem to love it a little too much. Stories suggest a few never quite checked out.

One tale involves a young elevator operator. He reportedly felt a tap on his shoulder while nobody else was in the car.

The kitchen has its own legend. Pots and pans have been heard rattling after hours, while the room sat locked.

Housekeeping stories are especially eerie. One worker reportedly saw a dim white shadow watching her make the beds.

Guests have shared reports of strange voices and windows opening on their own. Some even describe the feeling of someone sitting on the edge of the bed.

A woman dressed in white is said to walk the top floor halls. Nobody seems to know who she is, which only adds to the mystery.

Staying here puts you within walking distance of Pearl Street. You can explore downtown by day and come back for the creepy stories at night.

Address: 2115 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80302

5. Hotel Jerome

Silver money built Aspen, and Jerome B. Wheeler used some of it to open this hotel in 1889.

It has welcomed guests ever since.

The brick landmark sits near the foot of Aspen Mountain. Downtown shops and galleries are just a short stroll away.

Today it operates as Hotel Jerome, An Auberge Resort. The polished rooms feel very modern, yet the ghost stories feel straight out of the 1800s.

The most famous spirit is known as the Water Boy. Legend says he was a young boy linked to a 1936 accident at the hotel pool.

Guests have described a soaked child holding a towel near Room 310. Some stories even mention wet footprints that appear out of nowhere.

Another tale centers on Katie Kerrigan, a young maid from the 1890s. She’s said to keep making beds and shuffling things around.

Picky about how your pillows are arranged? You might want to take that up with Katie.

There’s also a so-called wedding night ghost tied to one of the suites. Stories claim some staff prefer to avoid the third floor because of the odd activity.

You can enjoy the hotel’s restaurants even if you aren’t staying overnight. It’s a fun way to see the historic interior and hear a story or two.

Address: 330 East Main Street, Aspen, CO 81611

6. Molly Brown House Museum

Surviving the Titanic made Margaret Brown famous, but her Denver home might be just as hard to leave. At least, that’s what the ghost stories suggest.

Built in 1889, the Victorian house became the Brown family home in 1894. Margaret and her husband, J.J.

Brown, made it their Denver base.

She became known for her activism and charity work. The museum tells her story along with life during the Progressive Era.

After the Browns, the house went through big changes. It was split into apartments and later used as a boarding house before becoming a museum.

Several spirits are said to call it home. Margaret and J.J. both show up in the legends.

Visitors have reported a whiff of pipe or cigar smoke in a house where nobody smokes. Many people connect that scent to J.J.

Their daughter Helen is linked to her old bedroom. Stories say the blinds there move on their own.

Some reports claim at least six more spirits come and go. That’s a crowded guest list for one house.

You can explore on a guided or self-guided tour. The first floor and basement exhibit space are reachable by lift, while upper floors require stairs.

Check the museum’s schedule before you go, since hours change by season. Don’t skip the gift shop on the way out.

Address: 1340 Pennsylvania Street, Denver, CO 80203

7. Museum of Colorado Prisons

Few museums sit right next to a working prison. That’s exactly the setup in Cañon City.

The museum fills the old Women’s Correctional Facility, built in 1935. It opened to the public on June 18, 1988.

Next door stands the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility, which has operated since 1871. Its tall walls set a pretty serious mood before you even step inside.

Exhibits cover more than a century of Colorado prison history. You’ll see real cells, historic photos, and seized contraband.

Some displays are surprisingly creative. Inmate arts and crafts show a softer side of life behind bars.

Other pieces carry a heavier feel. The noose from the state’s last execution is on display, along with other artifacts from harsher times.

Not surprisingly, ghost stories follow the place around. People describe cold spots that seem to pop up out of nowhere.

The old laundry room is tied to the smell of tobacco. Cell 19 is linked to a former female inmate whose spirit is said to linger.

Want the full spooky treatment? The museum has offered special paranormal tours for ghost hunters.

Audio tours and guided tours work well for a calmer visit. Either way, you’ll leave with a new respect for freedom.

Address: 201 North 1st Street, Cañon City, CO 81212

8. The Buckhorn Exchange

Hundreds of glass eyes stare down from the walls here. Between the mounted animals and the ghost stories, you’ll never eat alone.

Henry Zietz, known as Shorty Scout, opened the Buckhorn Exchange in 1893. It’s one of the oldest restaurants in Denver.

Railroad workers, cattlemen, and miners once filled this spot. Several famous guests, including Theodore Roosevelt, are part of its story too.

The decor is pure Old West. Antlers, mounted heads, old firearms, and vintage photos crowd almost every inch of wall space.

The menu leans into the frontier theme. Expect hearty steaks and game meats like elk and buffalo.

Curious diners can try Rocky Mountain oysters. Fair warning: they aren’t from the ocean.

Now, about those ghosts. The building is said to be haunted by travelers and characters who passed through in its early days.

Some stories point to Shorty himself still keeping an eye on his place. Considering how much history fills the room, it’s hard to blame him.

The restaurant serves dinner, so plan for an evening visit. Make a reservation if you’re heading there on a weekend.

Take a slow lap around the room before you sit down. You’ll spot details you’d miss from your table.

Address: 1000 Osage Street, Denver, CO 80204

9. Hotel De Paris Museum

A French immigrant brought fine dining to a rough mining town in 1875. Louis Dupuy’s dream still stands on a quiet Georgetown street.

Dupuy opened his hotel and restaurant on October 9, 1875. He expanded it with masonry additions in 1878, 1882, and 1889.

The hotel was fancy for its time. Rooms featured hot and cold running water plus gas lighting.

In 1954, the Colonial Dames of America bought the building. They turned it into the museum you can visit today.

It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. It’s also a National Trust for Historic Preservation site.

Inside, you’ll find thousands of items from the late 1800s. Many belonged to Dupuy himself.

That personal touch makes the ghost stories feel close. The museum has even leaned into the theme with spooky events celebrating its French-flavored phantoms.

If anybody would refuse to leave, it’s probably the man who poured his life into this place. Who could blame him for wanting to keep an eye on his china?

Georgetown itself is worth a slow wander. The town has a long main street packed with Victorian buildings.

Check the museum’s hours before you drive up, since it isn’t open daily. It also closes for a stretch of winter.

Address: 409 6th Street, Georgetown, CO 80444

10. Byers-Evans House Museum

Ninety percent of the furnishings here belonged to the family who lived in the house. No wonder some visitors feel like the owners never left.

William Byers, founder of the Rocky Mountain News, built the home in 1883. The Evans family later moved in and stayed for decades.

In 1981, the Evans family donated the house to the Colorado Historical Society. It has been restored to look the way it did between 1912 and 1924.

Today the building houses the Center for Colorado Women’s History. Exhibits and tours explore the women who shaped early Denver.

The ghost stories are surprisingly detailed. Staff have described tall shadowy figures and see-through people in Victorian clothes.

Some reports mention men in top hats and three-piece suits. Others describe women in white dresses and veils.

After closing, security staff have reported footsteps, whispers, and objects moving around. Children’s laughter has been heard too.

A woman in white is the most famous visitor. She’s said to drift through the halls when the house is quiet.

Docent-led tours run about 45 minutes and share the stories of the women connected to the home. You can also explore the first floor on your own.

Head around the corner to 13th Street to find the entrance. It’s easy to miss on your first try.

Address: 1310 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204

11. Miramont Castle Museum

Nine architectural styles share one building here, from English Tudor to Byzantine. Fittingly, legend says about nine ghosts share it too.

Father Jean Baptiste Francolon built this castle in 1895 as his private home. It’s made from local greenstone and covers about 14,000 square feet.

Over the years, it served as a rectory, a sanitarium, and a private residence. The Manitou Springs Historical Society bought it in 1976 and turned it into a museum.

Today it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Around 30 restored rooms show off Victorian furnishings.

The exhibits go beyond fancy parlors. You’ll find displays on the local fire department and the Nuremberg trials.

Ghost lovers will feel right at home. Staff and visitors have shared accounts of odd sounds and objects that seem to move by themselves.

People have also reported shadowy figures in different rooms. With so many past uses, it’s easy to see why the stories pile up.

Need a break from the spooky stuff? The Queen’s Parlour Tearoom serves multi-course Victorian teas and lunches.

Reservations are recommended for tea service. Pinkies up, even if a ghost is watching.

The castle sits on a steep hill above downtown Manitou Springs. Wear comfy shoes for the climb and the stairs inside.

Address: 9 Capitol Hill Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

12. The Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon

Doc Holliday and Oscar Wilde both have ties to this old Leadville hangout. So do Margaret and J.J.

Brown, which makes for quite a guest list.

The building dates to 1879, during Leadville’s mining boom. It started as the Board of Trade and took the Silver Dollar name in 1935.

During Prohibition, it reportedly ran as a soft drink parlor. That’s a polite cover story for a place with this much character.

Inside, old wood fills the room. Paintings, photos, and memorabilia cover the walls.

Paranormal investigators say about eight spirits linger here. Staff and visitors have reported heavy footsteps and TVs switching on by themselves.

The basement stairs come with their own warnings. Some people describe feeling an unexplained push.

A noose from Leadville’s last legal hanging hangs in the rafters. Stories claim it sometimes swings in the early morning with no breeze.

Not every legend is creepy. Horace and Baby Doe Tabor are said to appear snuggled in a corner, especially during blizzards.

Leadville sits above 10,000 feet, so take it easy and drink plenty of water. The town’s Harrison Avenue is lined with historic buildings worth a look.

Stop by during the day to see the memorabilia up close. Then decide if you’d want to stick around after dark in Colorado’s highest incorporated city.

Address: 315 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO 80461