Colorado spots for celebrating the spooky season without the jump scares

By Tiffany Thompson

To some, fall is one of the most magical times to live in Colorado. The Centennial State is fortunate enough to experience a colorful autumn most years, when the green leaves of spring and summer fade into warm, saturated tones and stick around for weeks (that is if an early snow storm doesn’t knock them off their branches).

As far as popular things to do during the season, Colorado has no shortage of Halloween attractions and events. Dozens of haunted houses open up every year to frighten thousands of willing participants that line up for some scary fun. For people who love jump scares, this is a dream come true, but what about those who don’t enjoy haunted houses? Are there other places out there for people who still love an eerie attraction? For the folks who aren’t crazy about the prices, lines, or claustrophobic environments of haunted houses, here is a list of things to do that will please the heart of any Halloween enthusiast.

Stroll through the Museum of Colorado Prisons

Cañon City

For those who want to visit a morbid site while also learning some Colorado history, check out the Museum of Colorado Prisons. This historical site boasts artifacts that document the history of the justice system and incarceration from over 100 years ago onward.

During its operation, the prison housed several famous inmates, including notorious cannibal Alfred Packer. The museum showcases the cells of the prisoners as well as the working areas of the guards, preserved and displayed as they were when the prison was operating. Some visitors say that the museum has an eerie atmosphere, while others swear that it is still haunted by the ghosts of the inmates that resided there. Either way, this museum is a fun way to spend an October day learning about some of the more morbid aspects of Colorado history.

Visit the grave of the Lafayette vampire

Lafayette

The legend of the Lafayette vampire has been circulating among the locals for decades. The story goes that a certain grave belonging to Teodor Glava in the Lafayette Cemetery is the final resting place of a real-life vampire.

In earlier years, the area next to the burial site sported a rose bush (allegedly Glava’s fingernails, reaching out beyond the grave.) The rose bush is gone now, but there is still a tall juniper tree that is said to be the growth of the stake that pierced the vampire’s heart. Some say that when the moon is full, you can still see a tall, dark creature with red eyes watching you.

In actuality, Glava was a Romanian immigrant who is said to have died of the Spanish flu in 1918, and there is no proof he was ever a vampire. Despite this, the legend persists and the grave receives visitors year around, with some leaving small gifts at the site.

Regardless of the accuracy of the legend, those who are curious can see where the story began by taking a stroll through a nicely maintained historical cemetery established in the 1890s and viewing century old graves. In fact, for those of a slightly macabre nature, this could pass as a very pleasant afternoon.

See if the stories are true on Riverdale Road

Thornton, Brighton

Another location in Colorado that has a history of hauntings is Riverdale Road. The long, winding drive that runs through Thornton and Brighton has collected many ghost stories over the years.

One of the most common tales – passed through word of mouth over decades – involves a woman in white who stands by the side of the road, waiting to be offered a ride. If the unsuspecting driver lets her in, they will be the victim of some act of vague ghostly vengeance.

Another urban legend involves stopping on the side of the road with the windows rolled down to listen for unusual sounds. One source swears they did this once, and later found child-sized handprints smeared across the foggy back window of their car.

There is also the legend of the man who went mad and set his house on fire with his family inside, and their ghosts can still be seen on the side of the road by drivers. The fire did really happen in the 1970s, but it was accidental and the occupants survived and later moved.

However, readers take heed. It is said that Riverdale Road is a common site for car accidents, so while it can be fun to take an eerie drive down a long road, people who do so are encouraged to buckle up, keep their headlights on at night, and drive carefully.

Follow a jack o’ lantern trail

Littleton

For something a little less scary and a little more colorful this Halloween season, Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns is the ideal family-friendly attraction to take part in. Visitors can walk through an enchanted trail to different dioramas of the grinning pumpkin-heads. Last year, the attraction took place at the Hudson Gardens in Littleton. The trail showcased the artistic range and skills of the many different pumpkin sculptors, and the event also has other activities for visitors to take part in, such as food offerings, light shows, and a s’mores station.

Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns is a glowing, outdoor experience that offers an atmospheric, neon-lit trail lined by the grinning faces of seasonal squash that all can enjoy. The attraction is now open Tuesday to Sunday through Nov. 2 (closed Oct. 7). Tickets cost $10 for kids and $20 for adults, or $34 to skip the line at any age.

Watch for visitors in the sky

Hooper

Fall is an excellent season to spend some time outside looking up at the night skies. Colorado is reported by many to be the perfect place for an encounter with extraterrestrial visitors. The San Luis Valley in particular has the reputation as a UFO hotspot, so much so that there is a dedicated UFO Watchtower open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with opportunities for camping as well.

The watchtower is an elevated platform owned by Judy Messoline, created with the purpose of giving visitors (the earthly kind) a prime spot to keep their eyes peeled for aliens.

Of course, a trip to the watchtower is not the only option for stargazing and UFO searching. Make a night out of it – bring some apple cider or cocoa and a blanket, and see if anyone from another planet or dimension took a trip to Colorado. However, Thirst Colorado is not responsible for any otherworldly abductions that may take place. Click here to read an earlier Thirst Colorado story on the UFO Watchtower.