Location: 4596-4400, Caribou Rd, Nederland, CO 80466. (via Wikimedia Commons), "The town of Caribou was established in 1870 to house the miners of the Caribou Silver Mine. District estimates peg the cost of renovation at around $16 million, while its assessed value is roughly $3.2 million. Travelers Tip: Want to explore something less spooky instead? Mountains 1. Browns Dance Hall is one of the few abandoned places in Colorado that still has some character left. The schools remain in excellent condition despite being vacant for all these years. According to the EPA, the tunnel is still responsible for a large amount of pollution in the area. This, along with mismanagement, deadly mining accidents, and the Colorado Labor Wars caused the mine to lose laborers and eventually close after the ore was all gone. But the ghosts of residents long passed may greet you when you enter. When settlers arrived in the area, the butte became the heart of the town of Valmont, which soon grew into a thriving population center with three saloons and a local newspaper. This picturesque mill was built in 1893 to generate power for the Sheep Mountain Mining Company, which ran the silver mines in the area. From haunted mines to eerie ghost towns to an empty 65-foot tower, youll have plenty of sights to see in the Rocky Mountain State. You can visit Irontons ghostly remains todayit sits right off the gorgeous Million Dollar Highway, south of the town of, and had a saloon (of course), post office, general store, and hotel., Life in Animus Forks was hard. Luckily, in the state of Colorado, the laws are easy to understand and are pretty cut and dry. Sadly, these highly profitable businesses were devastating to the health of the surrounding environment, contaminating the soil and groundwater with toxic heavy metals and radium. So we fixed that. I was super shocked! Jackson M. you visit. Visit a place in Boulder. Your Guide to the Haunted Wilson Castle in Vermont, The Rare Albino Lobster Was Caught in Maine. Over the decades, inadequate maintenance and vandalism resulted in the collapse of three of these iconic arched tunnels. In 1859, the town built a masonic lodge, which still meets today. The area is designated and specified with a monument and a worn old cellar door. Which is your favorite? It was initially built as part of a railroad in the 1880s, eventually becoming a toll road for cars and then a public road. Every fall the residents of Animas Forks migrated en masse to the warmer town of Silverton. Much of the mining equipment was saved and relocated to mines in Eureka. But when the Rock Island Railroad shut down, residents left Ramah to find other employment. Just dont drink the water, 39.12204, -104.16807Photo Credit: lourneidal instagram.com. "Ashcroft, originally known as Castle Forks City then Chloride until 1882, was a mining town located ten miles south of Aspen, Colorado, United States. Its been abandoned since the death of its owner in 2014, and its certainly quite unique (if not a little creepy). Travelers Tip: While exploring Colorado, We Dare You to Drive the Most Haunted Road in America. Perhaps the creepiest abandoned place in Colorado is the old Titan 1 Missile Silo, in Deer Trail, which is actually one of six silos of its kind in the state. Despite poor agricultural conditions, the town boomed, housing more than 700 residents . You cant legally enter the property if it has a fence, lock, or no trespassing signs. Even President Grant visited. The fact that they study the environment in an old ghost town is both really awesome and perplexing. 39.79526, -105.53249Photo Credit: westermininghistory.com. Most Colorado ghost towns were abandoned for the following reasons: Mining towns were abandoned when the mines closed; many due to the devaluation of silver in 1893. Perhaps the creepiest abandoned place in Colorado is the old Titan 1 Missile Silo, in Deer Trail, which is actually one of six silos of its kind in the state. It is important when considering abandoned places in Colorado to know the basics of Colorado trespassing laws. The Mill is a sight to seethe compressor used to power a, This would power machinery and tools, as well as supply ventilation for silver miners toiling away in nearby mines. Leadville however prospered for quite some time. Four of these silos are located in Aurora, a suburb of Denver; the other two are located in Elizabeth and Deer Trail. Set in Colorado Springs' Bear Creek Regional Park, Gold Camp Road is part of a network of abandoned roads. Approximately 160 people are in residence there during the summer field season. Located at the junction of three rivers, the town was first known as Three Forks of the Animas before settlers shortened its name to simply Animas Forks. Required fields are marked *. As rain enters the tunnel, it carries heavy metals with it and spills into local creeks and reservoirs. Houses in Ashcroft, Colorado. There are plenty of interesting abandoned places in Colorado many more than the ones weve already mentioned! Ashcroft is unique in that there are still originally structures standing. in nearby Nathrop. If there are any haunted places in Colorado, theres no way the above-mentioned site of the Ludlow Massacre isnt packing a few ghosts and there are plenty more to consider as well. Of all the abandoned places in Colorado, Ashcroft is one of the best-preserved non-commercial ghost towns in the region. Will you dare to venture into these ghost towns? If you love adventures, try exploring abandoned places in Colorado. The Mill site is, Amid a prominent part of bustling Colorado Springs sits the abandoned, But St. Francis Hospital (which was also a power plantstrange but true) still stands, even if it's abandoned and closed to the public., From the outside of its old stone and brick entranceway on, , you could almost be fooled into thinking the hospital is still running. Take the back roads, follow train tracks, and find some places for yourself. (via Photographer Thomas Falkowski) Colorado has plenty to offer for adventurers who love to search haunted buildings and roam haunted highways. The costly process of repairing and restoring the structure will include replacing the roof and gutters, and the group is also laying new track for displaying vintage rail cars, and thus far has acquired an original Rock Island caboose, a passenger car and a flatcar. The Argo Tunnel is just under five miles long located in pretty much the middle of nowhere. If you are looking for some abandon ghost towns in Colorado, there are some southern gems near Silverton, Telluride and the Continental Divide. 38.78632, -104.9068Photo Credit: @PEO ACWA flickr.com. Built in the 1920s, visitors could pay a fee to go up the tower to look out. Abandoned Rails of Colorado CO. Colorado. The mine and Argo tunnel never reopened. The last resident of the town, Milton Larson lived alone in the town until passing away in the 1960s. One of the most sought-after abandoned places in Colorado, the Crystal Mill is a must-see when exploring the state. Below are my 23 favorite abandoned places in our most beautiful state. Upon exiting, visitors had to go through the gift shop. How many BMW R1200Ses were made in total? nuttingd / TripAdvisor. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 1340 Pennsylvania St, Denver, CO 80203. The town was settled by two sisters as a homestead in the 1880s before being sold to a ranching company eight years later. If youre made of sterner stuff, you can visit Animus Forks from, the roads are not passable in the winter. Crystal Mill (Marble) JahnyBravo / Wikipedia. The miners immediately went on strike, and in retaliation, the company expelled the disgruntled employees and their families from the company town. Keep in mind these mines are extremely dangerous and should not be explored unless you have proper training and knowledge of underground exploration. Its a picturesque location, even with all of the abandoned buildings. Masks are also strongly recommended due to the presence of asbestos and other potentially toxic substances in the air underground. Crumbling wooden shacks, twisted piles of metal debris, stacks of excess rock and smelting piles dot the land around the defunct mines, creating a stark contrast to the lush evergreens and endless blue skies that surround them. When investors purchased the Caribou Mine in 1871 for $3 million, they discovered the ore was gone. The town became the second largest silver producer in the entire state. They hit it big and found large amounts of silver in the area. What Makes It Creepy: Similar stories fill the air in Ironton as they do at Independence Mine and Wall Street. Nearly 1500 scientific publications come from RMBL each year. Though it ceased operating in 1917, the mill has been relatively well-maintained by several historic preservation groups and is one of the main attractions in the small town of Crystal. 2.) Before setting off in search of Colorados abandoned sites, be smart and heed these tips ahead of any urban or rural adventuring: Check the ownership/regulations of the site you want to visit: Ask permission to enter, if necessary. Nearly everything in Gothic is abandoned, making this place a bonafide ghost town. In 2013, the Rocky Mountain Railroad Heritage Society purchased the building from the Town of Calhan for just $25, with plans to restore the historic depot and develop it into a railroad heritage park. Today the fate of the tower is unknown. Im personally glad they chose to keep the strictures rather than demolish them. Dive in to start exploring! In turn, the air compressor provided energy to operate drills connected to the nearby Bear Mountain and Sheep Mountain. Live Out Your Medieval Dreams by Visiting These Castles in Colorado. Rumor has it access to some of the abandoned mines is still possible. The last resident died in the 1960s. Even if you see an. Its in major need of repair, and just the sight of it conjures up stories of a haunted house. No, not the one with men in suits shouting into phones, but an old abandoned ghost town in Boulder County Colorado. 38.71256, -105.13487if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'urbexunderground_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',160,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'urbexunderground_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',160,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-160{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Photo Credit: James St. John flickr.com. The museum features exhibits dedicated to the local history of coal mining, steel production, the railroad industry, the labor movement and the role of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company in the region. Like all gold towns, Wall Street went bearish on the prospects of new gold in the area, and eventually, workers migrated elsewhere. At the former inn, the south side of the third floor used to be a hot spot for supernatural activity. Near the mouth of Boulder Canyon and into downtown Boulder many mills have processed ore from mines in the surrounding mountains. Plus, its a location where at least five miners lost their lives. Colorado is a beautiful state with a long history of well, all sorts of things. At its peak in 1881, Saint Elmo drew in 2000 residents who traveled from across the country seeking riches from gold and silver. Rusted stairs give way to massive drops into the dark abyss, and PCBs, uranium, and other chemicals often coat the interior. , make no mistakeno crazed endocrinologist is running phantom lab tests on ghostly urine samples (at least, as far as we know). We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Will you dare to explore these abandoned places in Colorado? 0 Hotel Boulderado From abandoned mines to dilapidated buildings, you can find an eerie atmosphere surrounding each place. When it comes to, Crystal Mill, 11520 Co Rd 3, Carbondale, CO 81623, USA, "Dearfield is a ghost town and a historically black majority settlement in Weld County, Colorado, United States. According to lore, either the bus was struck by an oncoming train or a, while traversing the tunnel remains. Caribou was both a silver mine and a town but is now quietly crumbling in the remote wilderness in Boulder County. and bloggers to keep you up to date on the best of Boulder, Colorado. But some abandoned buildings are open for public use. The community expanded further in the 1930s and 1940s when rock quarries were developed on the sides of the butte and a mill was built for processing the gold ore and fluorspar extracted from the mountain. It is illegal to enter private property without first obtaining permission. During its peak, about 100 people called Ramah home. The worn structure has paint peeling off the exterior. The library reopened Jan. 9, but bathrooms will remain closed off to visitors. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'urbexunderground_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',151,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Possibly one of the strangest abandoned places in Colorado is the Wonder View Tower in the small town of Genoa. With no electrical power or exposure to natural light, the tunnels and rooms inside the silo are pitch-black, so explorers will need to bring reliable light sources in order to navigate the treacherous passageways, many of which are covered in colorful graffiti. (via Wikimedia), "Climax was an unincorporated mining village and a former U.S. Post Office located in Lake County, Colorado, United States.