By Jay McKinney

Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver, the Marijuana Mansion is a historical building that has newfound notoriety with the legalization of marijuana. The sandstone building was designed by renowned Denver architect John J. Huddart, and built in 1889 for Joseph Creswell, a wealthy businessman who served as president of the Colorado Marble and Mining Company. Fast forward more than 100 years, and the building has helped shape a whole new industry in the Colorado economy.

The mansion now holds its place in modern history as the headquarters for the Marijuana Policy Project, which was responsible for crafting and backing legislation that allowed for the drug to be used recreationally. On top of that, the building was also the site where the state’s recreational marijuana bill, Amendment 64, was written and successfully placed on the ballot in 2012.

Nearly a decade later, Colorado has helped set an example that other states have followed as they go about legalizing marijuana. And with the legislative heavy lifting now in the past, the mansion has transformed from a run-down building with office spaces to an artfully decorated tourist attraction and event space.

In 2019, Lisa Leder purchased the property and dedicated a large sum of money to renovate the mansion. She sought to create a marijuana-themed tourist attraction, where the historical significance of the site would be paired with an abundance of photo opportunities in the creatively curated rooms. The mansion’s event director, April Emma, estimates that 80 percent of the visitors are out-of-town tourists, possibly coming from states where legalized marijuana is still a novelty.

Those who visit the Marijuana Mansion can choose among various tours and private photo shoots, and can rent the entire mansion for parties. Among the three separate floors, 11 rooms are designed with various themes, and with different genres of music playing in each.

Marijuana Mansion, Historical Room, Courtesy of Jacqueline Collins.jpg

Enter the historical room on the second floor and one will feel as if they are stepping back in time with the antique furnishings that are reminiscent of the early 20th Century. From there, a bookcase opens secretly into the LED room where the theme couldn’t be more opposite. Black walls, brightly lit furnishings and a stark contrast in music makes it feel like a miniature nightclub.

While wandering through the different rooms, be aware of the ghosts that are lurking nearby. That’s right, there are stories of visitors experiencing eerie sensations and ghost sightings in the mansion’s windows. The exterior also contains some carvings and sculptures that have a paranormal mystique and feed into the rumors of the mansion being haunted.

Jay McKinney is a Colorado native who recently graduated from Metro State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He loves spending time outdoors, playing golf and hiking.