Colorado’s history is filled with gold rushes, Wild West saloons and Native American history. But beneath the scenic beauty lies a darker side—one filled with eerie legends, haunted hotels and ghostly apparitions. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these haunted destinations offer a glimpse into Colorado’s mysterious past.

Ashcroft Ghost Town (Aspen)

 ASHCROFT GHOST TOWN (Aspen) Once home to two newspapers, 20 saloons, a school and many private homes, Ashcroft faded before the turn of the century. Just 10 miles from Aspen, visitors can take a guided tour of about a dozen buildings preserved by the Aspen Historical Society, including the jail, livery stable and a couple of saloons. For more eerie history, explore Aspen’s spooky past on the DarkSide Ghost Tour. This tour visits some of Aspen Colorado’s most haunted places and tells the stories behind them as well as some truly darker happenings. This hour-long tour is suitable for the whole family or just the adults. See available dates at AspenWalkingTours.com. Tickets for adults are $35; children 17 and under are $30.

Black Monarch Hotel (Victor)

 BLACK MONARCH HOTEL (Victor) In the late 1800s, during Victor’s heyday, the Monarch Hotel served miners and international travelers drawn by the Gold Rush. Today, the renovated boutique hotel attracts guests with its reported paranormal activity. Strange sightings include the silhouette of a woman in a window when no one is there and the unsettling sounds of women laughing and men yelling in the middle of the night. With Victor’s violent past, including the Colorado Labor Wars and numerous Gold Rush-era murders, it’s no wonder the town is considered one of Colorado’s most haunted. Book a room at: BlackMonarchHotel.com.

Central City Masonic Cemetery (Central City)

 CENTRAL CITY MASONIC CEMETERY (Central City) Photographs taken at night in this cemetery often show unexplained orbs of light. Visitors have also reported seeing a little boy following them around the grounds, ducking behind trees when approached. Twice a year, a mysterious woman in black appears to place columbines on the grave of John Edward Cameron, vanishing into thin air when anyone gets close. Though wandering the cemetery after dark is considered trespassing, the Gilpin County Historical Society offers Creepy Crawls through Central City’s ghostliest sites each October. Call 303-582-5283 or visit GilpinHistory.org.

Hotel Colorado (Glenwood Springs)

 HOTEL COLORADO (Glenwood Springs) This 1893 hotel is known for its paranormal activity. Guests and staff often hear the eerie wails of a woman and report flickering lights. The building’s spooky reputation is intensified by its use as a crematorium for World War II military personnel. Plan your visit at HotelColorado.com.

CHEESMAN PARK (Denver) Perhaps the most chilling of Denver’s haunted spots, Cheesman Park was built over a former graveyard, inspiring the movie “Poltergeist.” When the area was converted in the late 1800s, only a fraction of the bodies were relocated. Many are believed to still be buried beneath the park and nearby homes reportedly receive ghostly visits. The Henry Treat Rogers Mansion, once located here but now demolished, inspired the story “The Changeling” based on real events experienced by author Russell Hunter. For an in-depth look into Denver’s paranormal side, take a tour with the Rocky Mountain Paranormal Research Society, led by real paranormal investigators. Learn more at RockyMountainParanormal.com.

Phantom Canyon Road (Cripple Creek)

 PHANTOM CANYON ROAD (Cripple Creek) Not for the faint of heart, Phantom Canyon Road is a narrow, twisting detour off the Gold Belt Tour Byway, climbing 4,000 feet and passing through the ghost towns of Wilbur, Adelaide and Glenbrook. Once the route of the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad, the road is said to be haunted by the ghost of a 1890s prison inmate, spotted walking the railway just days after his execution, along with other eerie specters that give the road its name.

The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park)

 THE STANLEY HOTEL (Estes Park) Stephen King’s stay at this iconic hotel inspired “The Shining.” Guests often hear children’s laughter in deserted hallways and ghostly piano music from the empty ballroom. The Stanley is so haunted that it offers a Spirited Night Tour, taking visitors to its most haunted spots. The Shining Tour is another mustdo, blending Stephen King lore with ghost stories and a bit of history. See available tours and pricing at StanleyHotel.com/tours-596033.