When it comes to small towns in Colorado, there is no shortage of beauty and charm to go around… however, on the contrary, there are also several towns that house haunts at every corner, including these 11 spooky small towns that could be straight out of a horror movie:
1. Grand Lake
Colorado's deepest and largest natural lake is also Colorado's most haunted. According to legend, Ute women and children were placed on rafts and sent to the middle of the lake during a battle, resulting in their death during a violent storm. If you listen carefully on rainy days, it is said that you can hear their cries and see an eerie mist rise from the water.
2. Sterling
This poor northeast Colorado town can't catch a break... not only is one of their hospitals haunted by a little boy who died there years ago, Room 104 at the local Ramada is said to be occupied by a ghostly woman in a blood-stained nightgown. (Remind me to never stay in Room 104...)
3. Trinidad
Moving from one side of the state to the other, Trindad's historic Tarabino Inn is notorious for spirit sightings (namely a ghostly woman seen at the bottom of a staircase) and unexplained cigar smoke.
4. Manitou Springs
With reported hauntings at The Cliff House (voices with thick accents that can be heard when no one is around), Miramont Castle (with the spirits of a little boy and his stepfather), and Mushroom Monday (an old man who appears out of the ground), we feel confident in saying that pretty much the entire town of Manitou is haunted.
5. Aspen
In terms of beautiful mountain towns, there is nowhere quite like colorful Aspen... however, even the most lovely of towns have a dark secret or two, and Aspen is no exception with the spirits of those murdered long ago still roaming the streets.
6. Canon City
Quite possibly one of the most haunted hotels in Colorado lies in the heart of Canon City. Built in 1888, the St. Cloud Hotel is said to be haunted by the ghosts of mischievous children who enjoy playing pranks on staff and guests alike. (Don't worry; they are in no way threatening. Kids will always be kids!)
7. Black Hawk
Who would have thought that such a fun and lively city like Black Hawk could have such an eerie side to it? (Not only is the local cemetery supposedly haunted by a spirit morning her beloved, a few of the local casinos are thought to house some paranormal action as well.)
8. Estes Park
You have seen the movie and know all there is know about the legendary Stanley Hotel... but did you know that there are other spooky places in Estes, including the equally historic Baldpate Inn (where the original owner is said to still vacate her original room)?
9. Hamilton
What the tiny, unincorporated northwest Colorado community of Hamilton lacks in size, it makes up for in haunts galore, as the town is inhabited by a centuries old trapper who wanders the streets while smoking a pipe.
10. Cripple Creek
Oh, Cripple Creek... where do we even begin? There's Buffalo Billy’s Casino and its mysterious and ghostly young girl; Maggie (an old Irish woman who smells like roses and play the slots) at Colorado Grande Casino; and other haunts at the famed Imperial and Palace Hotels.
11. Central City
It should come as a surprise to no one that a cemetery made our 'spookiest' list. This historic cemetery is said to be visited by the spirit of a little boy who enjoys following guests around, as well as the mysterious woman in black who visits twice a year to lay roses on her lover's grave.
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