From the towering summits of the Rocky Mountains to the sprawling plains of the Front Range, Colorado is a state imbued with a rugged, untamed beauty that has captivated the adventurous spirit for generations. Colorado is known for the outdoors, its arts scene and a growing tech industry. It also has a lot of abandoned places
These abandoned sites—a medley of ghost towns, disused mines, forsaken homesteads, and even decommissioned military bases—are historical markers in Colorado’s storied timeline.
Note: Many of these locations are in an extremely delicate state. Specifics on locations, such as coordinates or maps, are not given. This is done so purposefully as a barrier to entry to those who may mean harm to these spots. I want to ensure that these abandoned places in Colorado are known about, but stay as vandalism and destruction free as possible. Remember: Take only photos, leave only footprints.
Breakdown: The Top 14 and More
If you have a specific location from the list below that you would like to immediately get more information about, click the links in the list to snap straight to that abandoned places in Colorado location.
- Titan 1 Missile Silo (Deer Trail)
- Crystal Mill (Crystal)
- Ludlow Massacre Site (Trinidad)
- Gold Camp Road Tunnels (Colorado Springs)
- Animas Forks Ghost Town (Silverton)
- Abandoned Mine – Leadville Silver (Leadville)
- Valmont Butte (Boulder)
- Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Depot (Calhan)
- Overland Cotton Mill (Denver)
- Rosedale Elementary School (Denver)
- Postal Service Drain (Lone Tree)
- Colorado Fuel and Iron Building (Pueblo)
- Fountain Creek Bridge (Pueblo)
- Valmont Trains (Boulder)
Broaden Your Horizons Beyond Colorado
Are you interested in venturing outside the state of Colorado? Maybe you live close to the state line, or maybe you’re just looking for adventures outside your home state. Whatever the case may be, here are some guides to bordering states that may be helpful in effective urban exploration:
Don’t Forget About Trespassing Laws
It is important when considering abandoned places in Colorado to know the basics of Colorado trespassing laws. Luckily, we have developed a massive guide to trespassing laws in all 50 states. For laws that specifically relate to Colorado, please click here.
Without any further ado, let’s hop into the list of abandoned places!
The Best Abandoned Places in Colorado
Titan 1 Missile Silo (Deer Trail)
The Titan 1 Missile Silo was part of America’s early nuclear deterrence strategy.
Sprawled across the expansive plains of Colorado are six monumental subterranean chambers built for a singular purpose: housing the Titan 1, one of America’s initial ventures into the realm of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Stretching to an imposing length of nearly 100 feet, these missiles were potent symbols of America’s might, designed to deliver nuclear payloads across vast distances and deter adversaries from escalating conflicts.
Aurora, a Denver suburb, has four of these structures. The quieter towns of Elizabeth and Deer Trail hold the other two. By 1965, advances in missile technology and changes in defense strategies rendered the Titan 1 silos obsolete, leading to their decommissioning.Over the subsequent years, they were divested of their high-tech equipment, handed over to new custodians, and left to the embrace of time and nature.
How Things Look Today
The Deer Creek site stands out amongst its peers. Situated approximately 45 minutes from Denver, it has become a magnet for urban explorers. While the entryway to this relic is protected by metal gates, the determination of adventurers has led to periodic breaches.
However, the allure of Deer Creek’s underground maze is not without its hazards. Many explorers have faced legal consequences due to trespassing on privately-owned terrain. Moreover, the interiors present their own challenges—plunged in total darkness, the erstwhile missile chambers require reliable lighting for navigation.
The walls, once pristine and functional, now serve as canvases for graffiti artists, adding a splash of color to the otherwise monochrome abyss. And as if navigating this disorienting underworld wasn’t challenging enough, potential explorers should be wary of airborne threats like asbestos and be prepared with protective masks.
Furthermore, caution is essential when traversing the silo’s intricate network of beams and metallic pathways. Time and neglect have taken their toll—eroding panels and causing some to vanish altogether. This has resulted in perilous pitfalls leading to pools of stagnant water, tainted with remnants of rocket fuel.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Dalton McMillan via College Ave Magazine.
Crystal Mill (Crystal)
The Crystal Mill, also known as the Sheep Mountain Mill, stands above the Crystal River in Colorado.
Constructed in 1892 during the zenith of the state’s mining boom, the Crystal Mill was an epitome of ingenuity and engineering prowess. Harnessing the untamed power of the Crystal River, the mill was ingeniously designed to convert the river’s kinetic energy into a mechanical force that powered an air compressor housed within its wooden walls.
This was achieved through a meticulously designed dam, which channeled water onto a vertical, ladder-like penstock. As water rushed down, it would strike a horizontal wheel, triggering the movement of an axle in the penstock.
This mechanical dance culminated in the powering of the air compressor, which in turn breathed life into the drills burrowing deep into the heart of Bear Mountain and Sheep Mountain. Miners would then strategically place dynamite into these meticulously drilled holes, the resulting explosions breaking the ore-bearing rock.
The mill ceased operation in 1917. However, instead of surrendering to the ravages of time, the Crystal Mill has been lovingly preserved by passionate historic preservation groups. It sits in the ghost town of Crystal and draws tourists.
The Crystal Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. A visit to the mill is best undertaken in summer or fall.
The mill is reached by four-wheel-drive vehicle, on horseback, or on foot.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Nick Fox via Shutterstock.
Ludlow Massacre Site (Trinidad)
Though it rarely gets more than a passing mention—if that—in the history books, the Ludlow Massacre remains one of the most violent and tragic events in the American labor movement. Fortunately, the site of this painful incident in rural Colorado has been preserved and memorialized for future generations.
The primary catalyst of the deadly showdown began in the summer of 1913, when roughly 8,000 employees of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company formed a union expressly to protest the dangerous and unhealthy living and working conditions maintained by the company’s owners, the famed Rockefeller family. The miners immediately went on strike, and in retaliation, the company expelled the disgruntled employees and their families from the company town.
Undeterred, the workers literally put stakes in the ground, establishing a hastily-assembled tent city adjacent to the mines. Private security forces and National Guard troops raided the makeshift settlement in an effort to intimidate the union, but the situation remained tense but stable until April 20, 1914.
On that day, the militias onsite fired shots into the tent city, and the miners responded in kind. The opposing forces traded bullets throughout the day, but when darkness fell that evening, the National Guard set a fire that quickly consumed the encampment. When the sun rose the next day, more than two dozen civilians had lost their lives, including two women and 11 children who had taken shelter in an underground cellar.
The remains of the Ludlow company town are still visible on the site about 125 miles south of Colorado Springs. The former tent city has been designated with a monument funded by the United Mine Workers of America, and a worn cellar door still marks the site where the 13 women and children took their last breaths. The site is not abandoned: it is a National Historic Landmark maintained as a memorial.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Tim Roberts Photography via Shutterstock.
Gold Camp Road Tunnels (Colorado Springs)
The Gold Camp Road Tunnels lie in the Pikes Peak region.
These passages were meticulously chiseled into the mountainside during the latter part of the 19th century, intended to create a seamless transport link between the pulsating heart of Colorado Springs and the gold-rich veins of the nearby mines.
The construction process, arduous and perilous, is believed to have claimed the lives of many.
For nearly three decades, the distinctive chug of the Short Line Railroad’s engines echoed through these tunnels, carrying both dreams and treasures. Yet, as the 1920s drew to a close, the reverberating sounds of locomotives were replaced by the soft hum of automobiles. The once proud tracks were uprooted in 1929, making way for a conventional roadway, as a new era dawned.
However, time, as is its nature, wore away at the structural integrity of these architectural marvels. The combination of neglect, the elements, and human interference led to the eventual collapse of three of the tunnels.
Despite the prevailing eeriness and whispers of an urban legend—tales of a tragic school bus accident—such stories remain a product of local folklore, with no concrete evidence to validate them.
Today, the remaining tunnels are closed off by black steel barriers with warning signs. The journey to these historic relics begins where Gold Camp Road trades asphalt for the ruggedness of dirt.
Aspiring explorers can park near the remains of Tunnel 6, choosing to traverse the trail either by foot or mountain bike. The path passes Tunnels 4 and 5 before ending at Tunnel 3.
The corridor is not abandoned: it has been redeveloped and is in active public use as a recreation route.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Allen Tanner via MTB Project.
Animas Forks Ghost Town (Silverton)
Animas Forks sits in the San Juan Mountains at an elevation above 11,000 feet.
In 1873, pioneers, lured by the glint of precious metals, established Animas Forks, forging a community in the rugged wilderness. The town, originally christened “Three Forks of the Animas” due to its unique positioning at the confluence of three rivers, soon saw its name abbreviated by settlers to the succinct “Animas Forks.”
A hotel stood tall, welcoming travelers with the promise of warmth and shelter, while the local general store buzzed with activity as folks gathered to procure necessities. The Animas Forks Pioneer newspaper served as the town’s link to the wider world.
Yet, this flourishing tableau was not without its challenges. The town’s lofty altitude meant that each year, as autumn’s golden hues began to wane, families would journey down to Silverton, seeking refuge from the winter’s biting cold.
Memories of the formidable blizzard of 1884 remain etched in the town’s legacy. For over 21 relentless days, snow cascaded from the heavens, eventually amassing to an awe-inspiring depth of 25 feet. The town transformed into a maze of snow tunnels, as residents, undeterred, carved their paths between buildings.
However, like many mining towns of yore, the pulse of Animas Forks began to wane as the 20th century dawned. The veins of precious ore depleted, and the promise of prosperity faded. By the time the 1920s arrived, silence had all but engulfed the town, with most of its denizens seeking fortune elsewhere.
The town is now a revered destination on the scenic Alpine Loop, a 65-mile journey connecting Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton, attracting thousands of history enthusiasts, adventurers, and seekers of beauty each year.
Animas Forks is not abandoned: the Bureau of Land Management maintains the townsite and interprets it for visitors.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Paul Brady Photography via Shutterstock.
Abandoned Mine – Leadville Silver (Leadville)
While the initial lure to Leadville was the promise of gold in the mid-19th century, the town’s destiny changed in 1879. Beneath the rocky terrains lay vast reservoirs of silver, which sparked the illustrious Colorado Silver Boom. For fifteen thrilling years, fortunes were made overnight, and the town thrived in a shimmering haze of prosperity.
However, the ever-fluctuating world of minerals is fickle, as was proven by the silver crash of 1893. In an almost cataclysmic turn of events, silver prices plummeted, leaving a trail of abandoned mines in its wake and stealing the livelihoods of a staggering 90% of the area’s miners.
Beneath its soils lay other minerals – gold, zinc and molybdenum – which revived mining in the area.
The 20th century saw a roller-coaster of fortunes for the mining community. Global events, like the World Wars, surged the demand for minerals, whereas the Great Depression cast a long, ominous shadow over the mines.
And as the dust of World War II settled, a realization dawned upon the town’s leaders: the ebb and flow of mining fortunes couldn’t anchor Leadville’s future. With foresight, they pivoted towards tourism and diversified industries, ensuring the region’s sustainability.
Today, Leadville’s mining legacy may have faded, but it hasn’t been forgotten. Just a stone’s throw east of the town, an abandoned silver mine remains.
Crumbling wooden structures lean precariously, while heaps of rock and remnants of smelting operations paint a melancholic picture.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by PhotoTrippingAmerica via Shutterstock.
Valmont Butte (Boulder)
Valmont Butte rises over the plains east of Boulder. It was a focal point of reverence among the Native American tribes who once called this land home.
The outcropping was more than just a geographic landmark for the indigenous people. It was a hallowed space, a convergence of life and death. The evidence of this is found in the myriad artifacts that pepper its slopes, speaking of camping grounds, hunting expeditions, sacred rites, and even final resting places.
However, as the wheel of time turned and white settlers made their way to this region, the sacredness of Valmont Butte began to be overshadowed by the march of civilization. The very heart of what would become the town of Valmont found its rhythm around the butte.
As days turned into decades, Valmont burgeoned, complete with the characteristic trappings of a prospering settlement, including saloons and a local newspaper.
The 20th century saw another transformation for Valmont Butte. The allure of mineral riches, especially during the 1930s and 1940s, led to the creation of rock quarries etching their mark on the butte’s flanks. Soon, a mill stood proudly, processing gold ore and fluorspar harvested from the heart of the mountain. This era of industrial boom, however, came with a heavy price.
The quest for prosperity scarred not just the landscape but penetrated deeper, tainting the soil and groundwater with insidious toxins like heavy metals and radium. The environmental aftermath was so dire that the EPA highlighted Valmont Butte as one of Colorado’s ten most polluted sites.
Seeking to restore some semblance of its former glory, the City of Boulder took ownership of this beleaguered landmark in 2000. Although efforts have been made to cleanse the land and water, the scars run deep, both physically and metaphorically.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Jefferson Dodge via Boulder Weekly.
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Depot (Calhan)
In the sprawling plains of Calhan, the Calhan Rock Island Railroad Depot, constructed in 1906, might appear as an unassuming one-story building, but its history is deeply intertwined with the growth and development of the region.
Within its walls, the depot housed a myriad of amenities essential for a functioning train station during that period. These included a waiting room, a ticket office and a storage area, along with a coal-fired potbelly stove that heated the building.
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company, in its quest for an optimal location, found Calhan’s almost barren landscape and its pristine groundwater compelling enough to mark it as a pivotal stop. Strategically located between Limon and Colorado Springs, the depot quickly became a vital cog in the rail line’s expansive network.
For decades, the depot facilitated seamless travel from the vast fields of Kansas to the bustling streets of Colorado Springs. However, as with many historical sagas, change was on the horizon. By the early 1970s, the decline in rail travel and an unstable economy pushed the railroad towards bankruptcy.
Although the rails met an unceremonious end in the scrap yards of the early 1990s, the depot managed to withstand the test of time. Recognizing its historical significance, it was rightfully added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
A beacon for railroad enthusiasts, the depot drew the attention of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Heritage Society in 2013. With a symbolic purchase price of $25 from the Town of Calhan, the society embarked on an ambitious mission: resurrecting the depot’s former glory and creating a hub for railroad history.
This monumental restoration task entails not only structural repairs, like a new roof and gutters but also bringing the magic of railroads alive for newer generations. With plans to lay tracks for showcasing vintage rail cars, the society has already made headway by procuring authentic relics from the past, including a Rock Island caboose, a passenger car, and a flatcar.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by MElizabethTill via Wikimedia Commons.
Overland Cotton Mill (Denver)
NOTE: This location is now NOT abandoned.
Completed in 1891, this two-story red-brick industrial building housed a booming textile operation. A rail spur on the west side of the largest building was used to ship raw cotton from Texas to the mill for processing, and during its 13 years in operation, the company produced millions of yards of cloth each year—primarily heavy-duty cotton designed for work apparel.
The Overland Cotton Mill’s design included several innovative features to maximize efficiency, including enormous windows that let plenty of natural light into the building and reduced the need for additional artificial lighting inside the workspace.
Each of these narrow windows consisted of 24 panes of glass set in metal frames, with red sandstone sills and a segmental brick arch over the top. The facility also incorporated large concrete ducts that snaked under the floors and inside the masonry piers; fans blew air over pools of water and into the ducts, both helping cool the building and adding humidity to the air to reduce the likelihood of fires caused by sparks of static electricity.
The mill shut down after taking a massive financial hit during the lengthy coal strike of 1903, and its next occupant was the notorious Ku Klux Klan, which leased the administrative wing of the building to house its local headquarters.
Other industrial operations were located in the facility over the next several decades, including the Pittsburgh Radium Company, which processed vanadium ore; Merrion & Wilkins, which auctioned wool; and Colorado Builders’ Supply.
During World War II, the plant was used to produce shell casings, and the site was so critical to the war effort that it was quickly restored after a devastating fire ravaged the building in 1942.
After a major renovation was completed in the early 1990s, Hercules Industries moved into the historic building, where it continues to manufacture heating and air conditioning equipment.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Denver Architecture Foundation.
Rosedale Elementary School (Denver)
Built in 1924, this vast two-story brick elementary school closed in 2005 due to low enrollment.
The building at 2330 S. Sherman Street is St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School. Denver Public Schools leased the former Rosedale Elementary to the Archdiocese of Denver in 2021, after the Archdiocese proposed a 400-student high school funded by private donors. The school was listed as operating at that address in December 2025, and Chalkbeat covered the district’s reuse of closed buildings on 2 April 2025. Students are in the building on school days and it is closed private property.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Melanie Asmar, Chalkbeat Colorado.
Postal Service Drain (Lone Tree)
The Postal Service Drain runs beneath Lone Tree. The peculiar name doesn’t arise from any historical association with the mail service, but rather from the dominant graffiti art that marks its entrance, an inadvertent signature by local artists.
The drain stretches intriguingly beneath the town, consisting of roughly half a mile of robust eight-foot reinforced concrete pipe. A smaller segment of eight-foot corrugated aluminum pipe adjoins the main tunnel.
At the end is a large graffiti-covered chamber with a ladder leading to two smaller offshoot tunnels.
Though records of the drain’s construction are sparse, it is widely speculated to be a product of the 1990s. The reasons for its construction remain shrouded in mystery. Was it intended for stormwater management, or perhaps a forgotten infrastructure project? Over time, this subterranean corridor has evolved into a canvas for street artists, a rite of passage for daring teenagers, and a tantalizing challenge for urban explorers.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Vladimir Mulder via Shutterstock.
Colorado Fuel and Iron Building (Pueblo)
Completed in 1901, this distinctive Mission Revival-style building once held the administrative offices of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, including its purchasing, finance, payroll, engineering, and other functions.
At its peak in the mid-20th century, the mining and steel-making juggernaut operated dozens of coal mines in multiple states and served as the only steel mill in the American West until 1942. Over the decades, it employed thousands of local residents until it shuttered operations in the early 1990s.
The administrative building, as well as its sister structure—which housed the company’s medical dispensary and clinic for treating employees’ minor injuries and illnesses—were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 and were designated a National Historic Landmark in 2021.
The former medical building is now owned by the Steelworks Center of the West, which converted the structure into the Steelworks Museum of Industry and Culture. 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.
Steelworks has announced a $12 million effort to clean up, redevelop and renovate the former administrative building for an expansion of the museum.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Carol Highsmith via the Library of Congress.
Fountain Creek Bridge (Pueblo)
The Fountain Creek Bridge in Pueblo crosses Fountain Creek. Erected in 1901, this once-bustling through truss bridge served as a crucial artery for Union Pacific trains, connecting points of commerce and transporting goods and people across the region.
Yet, as time marched on, the bridge bore witness to fewer and fewer trains, its purpose waning with the evolving demands of transport and infrastructure.
Records of when the last train crossed the bridge are not available. However, the bridge’s decline became undeniably evident in 2011, when Union Pacific decided to dismantle six of its iron and lumber spans.
In the same year, Pueblo’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents led to the removal of two bridge piers. This action was taken as a proactive measure to mitigate potential flood risks, underscoring the bridge’s diminishing role in modern Pueblo.
The City of Pueblo has indicated its intention to eventually remove the entire structure, marking the end of its long-standing watch over Fountain Creek.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by Patricia Gallardo via Wikimedia Commons.
Valmont Trains (Boulder)
In the heart of Boulder, the Valmont Trains stand as an open-air museum to the bygone days of rail travel and transportation. The rail cars are overgrown and rusting.
Established by the Boulder County Railway Historical Society in 1997, the aim was clear: to breathe new life into the aging carriages and locomotives and to create a space where future generations could witness the grandeur of historic rail travel. The Valmont Railroad Museum was set up on an unused track leased from Union Pacific, showing promise and commitment towards preserving a crucial chapter in Boulder’s history.
However, the rhythmic passage of time and changing priorities led to the society’s dissolution. The once-bustling site, marked as the property of the Museum of Railway Workers, soon became silent.
The collection at the site is nothing short of impressive. It includes a 1954 Great Western GP9 standard gauge locomotive and a 1980s-era Longmont caboose.
Also on site are a 1955 General Electric 80-ton diesel locomotive, a 1913 Union Pacific Caboose and a former U.S. Army hospital car from World War II.
Abandoned places in Colorado image by CaptainTrashEJ via Imgur.
Our Final Thoughts on Abandoned Places in Colorado
Those who are into urban exploration in the Colorado state area, and want to explore abandoned places in Colorado, should get comfortable with Colorado trespassing laws. Luckily, in the state of Colorado, the laws are easy to understand and are pretty cut and dry.
For more about obtaining permission to explore abandoned places in Colorado, check out our guide Explore Abandoned Buildings: How To Get Permission.