START WITH COTOPAXI
Mile High State Ghostly Highlights!
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-129.png?w=1280)
Colorado never had a shortage of ghost towns due to the fleeting conditions of precious metal discovery and mining. It seems that nearly every Colorado mountain town came about as a result of people flocking to the territory/State to find riches.
I remember exploring old abandoned mine sites with my dad in the 1950s. At that time a typical mine site could easily have old mining equipment and machinery lying abandoned. There were rail spikes, shovels, picks and much more. We just let them lie but others did not and those reminders of the past quickly were looted forever.
Just viewing all of these long-deserted locations gets the imagination going – all of those souls streaming into what would become the State of Colorado or had already become Colorado. How many came and went? How many died in these locations? What did they leave behind?
Colorado Ghost Towns/Aberdeen – Near Gunnison
Founded in 1892 to mine granite such as in the Colorado State Capitol
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-223.png?w=1024)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Adelaide
West of Leadville
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-51.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-66.png?w=600)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Agua Ramon
A ranching community located in the San Juan region of Colorado.
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Agua%20Ramon/thumbnails/agua_ramon2.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Agua%20Ramon/thumbnails/agua_ramon4.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Alice
Alice located near Fall River in Clear Creek County – The Post Office closed down in 1938
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northcentral/Alice/thumbnails/Alice_Colorado_0007.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Altman
Founded in 1893 and reached a popular of about 1,200
![Altman Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Altman_CO_1897_4401237.jpeg)
![Altman Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/AltmanCO_miners_1889.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Ames
Founded in 1880 – A gold and silver town in San Miguel County southwest of Telluride
![Ames, Colorado Hotel](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Ames_CO_1880s_00334.jpg)
![Ames, Colorado ca. 1880s](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Ames_CO_88994.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Anaconda
Founded in 1892 named after its biggest mine. Fire destroyed the town in 1917.
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Anaconda/thumbnails/CIMG0901.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Anaconda/thumbnails/CIMG0906.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Anaconda/thumbnails/IMG_0381.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Animas Forks
Founded in 1873 to mine gold – Reached a population of around 450. Located southeast of Ouray
![Animas Forks late 1800s](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/animasforksca1880.jpg)
![Animas Forks Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/GK9X1802a.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Animas%20Forks/thumbnails/Animas_Forks_Colorado_0003.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Apex
Apex was founded in 1891 – formed when it became too crowded in nearby Central City – Population reached about 1,000 inhabitants.
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-131.png?w=575)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Argentum
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Argentum/thumbnails/Argentum_Colorado_002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Ashcroft – Aspen Daily News – 1995
Ashcroft reached a population of 2,500
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-8.png?w=700)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-10.png?w=700)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-16.png?w=700)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Autobees
Founded in 1853 near Pueblo for ranching
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-224.png?w=1280)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Bachelor City
Founded in 1892
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Bachelor%20City/thumbnails/Bachelor_City_0008.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Badito
Founded in 1865 by trappers Northwest of Walsenburg
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-225.png?w=1732)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-226.png?w=500)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Bakerville
Bakerville near Silverton
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-25.png?w=1059)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-67.png?w=600)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Baldwin
Baldwin near Gunnison
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-26.png?w=1000)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-68.png?w=500)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Bandora
Gold mine town located in the San Juan region of Colorado
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Bandora/thumbnails/bandora_colorado_02.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Berwind
Founded in 1888 to mine coal and iron – Northwest of Trinidad – Site of much violence between mining strikers and militia
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-229.png?w=697)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-228.png?w=600)
Colorado Ghost Town/Bloom
Bloom was founded in 1898 in Otero County
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-230.png?w=1280)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Bonanza
Founded in 1880 to mine silver – Located directly north of Saguache
![Bonanza, Colorado 1880s](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Bonanza_CO_1880s_110437.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Bowen
Founded to mine coal – Peak population was about 200 residents – Located near Trinidad
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-231.png?w=1280)
Colorado Ghost Towns – Bronquist
Bronquist a little southwest of Pueblo
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-52.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-69.png?w=600)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Brookside
Brookside adjacent to Canon City – Coal Mining Town
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-53.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-54.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-70.png?w=600)
Colorado Ghost Towns – Buckskin Joe
Founded in 1860 to mine gold – Reached a population of 1,000 – Located northwest of Alma
![Buckskin Joe in 1864](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Buckskin_Joe_early_view_345.jpg)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-232.png?w=600)
Colorado Ghost Towns – Bull Hill
Bull Hill near Victor Colorado
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-55.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-56.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-71.png?w=600)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Burrows Park
Located in the San Juan region of Colorado
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Burrows%20Park/thumbnails/Burrows_Park_Colorado_004.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Town/Caddoa
Founded in 1881 for farming – Located in far southeastern Colorado plains
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-235.png?w=1920)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Calcite
Calcite six miles from Howard, Colorado – Limestone mining here
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-57.png?w=575)
Colorado Ghost Towns Cameron
Located near Cripple Creek – Had a population nearly as large as Cripple Creek – and even had a very popular zoo! Before gold was discovered this was a ranch area known as “Grassy”.
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-58.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-59.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-60.png?w=1400)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-72.png?w=600)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Camp Bird
Founded in 1897 mining gold, silver and lead – Reached a population of 500
![Camp Bird Mine](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Camp_Bird_mine_073565.jpg)
![Camp Bird mine](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Camp_Bird_hauling_ore_ca1910_04432.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Camp%20Bird%20(Upper)/thumbnails/Upper_Camp_Bird_0001.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Camp%20Bird%20(Upper)/thumbnails/Upper_Camp_Bird_0010.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Camp%20Bird%20(Upper)/thumbnails/Upper_Camp_Bird_0007.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Camp Hale
Located near Red Cliff & Leadville – this was once the home of the Tenth Mountain Division
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northcentral/Camp%20Hale/thumbnails/Camp_Hale_Colorado_0001.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northcentral/Camp%20Hale/thumbnails/Camp_Hale_Colorado_0009.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Capitol City
Founded in 1876 to mine gold, silver and lead – Reached a population of about 800 – Located between Ouray and Lake City
![Excelsior Mine near Capitol City, Colorado ca. 1880](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Excelsior_Mine_Capitol_City_CO_ca1880.jpg)
![The old post office at Capitol City, Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Capitol_City_CO_99433.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Cardiff
Located in the northwest region of the State – Coal mining
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northwest/Cardiff/thumbnails/Cardiff_0002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Cardinal
Founded in 1872 to mine gold, silver and tungsten – Reached a population of 1,500 – Located near Nederland
![Cardinal Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Cardinal_CO_ca1910_09934.jpg)
Ghost Towns/Caribou – Rocky Mountain News – 1958
Caribou reached a population of 1,800
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-5.png?w=700)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-6.png?w=614)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-13.png?w=898)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-17.png?w=700)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Champion
Founded in the 1890s to mine gold and silver
![undefined](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/ChampionMill.png/1280px-ChampionMill.png)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Chandler – Founded 1882 – Folded 1942
Chandler near Canon City – Coal Mining – Founder 1890 – Folded 1942
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-61.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-62.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-73.png?w=500)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Chattanooga
Founded in 1882 to mine gold and silver – Located between Ironton and Silverton
![View of Chattanooga, Colorado ca. 1900](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Chattanooga_CO_ca1900_00355.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Chattanooga/thumbnails/chattanooga_0011.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Chattanooga/thumbnails/chattanooga_0016.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Climax
Climax near Leadville
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-29.png?w=1117)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-74.png?w=594)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Clyde
Clyd located west above Manitou Springs
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-63.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-64.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-75.png?w=600)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Coal View
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northwest/Coal%20View/thumbnails/Coal_View_0001.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Columbine
Columbine near Clark, Colorado
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-30.png?w=426)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-76.png?w=300)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Como
Como is being repopulated slowly today but nearly became a ghost town – Founded early 1880s – Folded in 1939 when train departed – Had 500 residents in 1880 – Located east of Fairplay and at the base of Boreas Pass
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-65.png?w=364)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Congress
Founded in 1880 to mine Silver – Located between Silverton and Ironton
![Congress, Colorado ca. 1883](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Congress_CO_ca1883_553767.jpg)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-132.png?w=407)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Copper Rock
Founded in 1892 in Boulder County – a gold mining community
![Locals having fun at Copper Rock 1892](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Copper-Rock-CO-1892-23389.jpg)
![Copper Rock Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Copper-Rock-CO-1892-55389.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northcentral/Copper%20Rock/thumbnails/Copper_Rock_Colorado_0002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Cotopaxi
The area was involved in a volatile cattle war in the 1880s
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Cotopaxi/thumbnails/IMG_0726.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Cotopaxi/thumbnails/IMG_0732.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Crisman
Founded in 1874 to mine silver – Located west of Boulder – Reached a population of 179
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Crisman-CO-Logan-Mine-51965.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Crystal
![Crystal Mill with the town of Crystal in the background](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Crystal_Colorado_1893_003.jpg)
![The Crystal Club building, 2015](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Cabin_in_Crystal%2C_Colorado%2C_a_virtual_ghost_town_in_a_valley_on_the_upper_Crystal_River_in_Gunnison_County%2C_on_a_precipitous%2C_a_four-wheel-drive-only_road_between_Marble_and_Crested_Butte_LCCN2015633745.tif/lossy-page1-1024px-thumbnail.tif.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Dunton
Dunton southwest of Telluride – Founded in 1885 mining gold and silver – Peak population around 200 – Deserted by 1918
![Emma Mill and Boarding House - Dunton, Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Dunton_CO_Emma_Mine_ca1900_00126.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Elkton
Founded in the 1890s to mine gold – Peak population was 3,000 – Located a little northwest of Victor
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Elkton-Mine-Cripple-Creek-CO-001-1400.jpg)
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Elkton-CO-1903-08225.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Eureka
Eureka near Silverton/Animas Forks
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-14.png?w=1200)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-28.png?w=330)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-18.png?w=700)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Freeland
Founded in 1878 to mine gold – Population peaked at about 400 -residents – Located almost directly west of Idaho Springs
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/freeland_CO_1890s_44811.jpeg)
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Freeland-Mine-CO-001.jpg)
Colorado Ghosts Towns/Gillette
Founded to mine Gold in 1894 – Peak population was 1,500 – Located northeast of Cripple Creek
![Business District in Gillett, Colorado 1895](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Gillette_CO_1895_46533.jpg)
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Gillett-CO-51889.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Gillette/thumbnails/Gillette_Colorado_0003.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Gillman
Came alive in 1886 – Near Minturn a silver mining town the population was about 300 persons
Colorado Ghost Towns/Gladstone
Located in the San Juan region to mine gold – Located near Silverton
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Gladstone/thumbnails/Gladstone_0001.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Gladstone/thumbnails/Gladstone_0002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Goldfield
Goldfield population up to 2,500 at one time – West of Colorado Springs
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-113.png?w=575)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-114.png?w=575)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Graysill
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Graysill/thumbnails/Graysill_Colorado_001.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Graysill/thumbnails/Graysill_Colorado_002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Guston
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Guston/thumbnails/Guston_Colorado_01.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Guston/thumbnails/Guston_Colorado_02.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Hamilton
At it’s height, the Hamilton Post Office provided mail to nearly 20,000 folks over it’s active time from 1860 to 1880
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Hamilton/thumbnails/IMG_0192.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Hamilton/thumbnails/IMG_0190.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Henson
Founded in 1877 and located near Lake City
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Henson/thumbnails/Henson.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Highland Mary
Founded in 1870s to mine zinc, silver, gold and lead – Peak population was about 200 – Located east of Silverton
![Highland Mary Boarding House 1906](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Highland_Mary_CO_1906_0492.jpg)
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Highland_Mary_Mill_ca1910_0332.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Highland%20Mary%20Mill/thumbnails/Highland_Mary_0002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Howardsville
Founded in 1874 to mine gold and silver – Peak population unknown – Located northeast of Silverton
![Howardsville, Colorado 1870s](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/howardsville_CO_1870s_550923.jpg)
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/howardsville_CO_1880_330112.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Howardsville/thumbnails/Howardsville_0003.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Independence – Aspen Daily News – 2015
Independence reached a population of 1,800 – Founded in 1893 to mine gold – Located directly north of Victor
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-7.png?w=700)
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/independence_CO_ca1900.jpeg)
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Independence-hoist-room-Cripple-Creek-1896-43007.jpg)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-19.png?w=750)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Ironton
Founded in 1883 to mine silver – located between Ouray and Silverton – Peak population was about 1,000
![Pawn Brokers - Ironton Colorado 1886](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Ironton_CO_1886_55990012.jpeg)
![Beaver Mine at Ironton Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Ironton_CO_1897_6669012.jpeg)
![Ironton Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Ironton_CO_1908_19910013.jpeg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Irwin – Rocky Mountain News – 1958
Irwin reached a population of 6,000
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-12.png?w=699)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Ironton/thumbnails/Ironton_Colorado_Ghost_Town_0001.jpg)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-20.png?w=600)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Irwin
Jamestown founded in the 1870s to mine gold – Located northeast of Ward
![The Budweiser Palace - Jamestown, Colorado 1884](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Jamestown-CO-31112.jpg)
![Jamestown Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Jamestown_CO_1883_44789.jpeg)
![Jamestown Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Jamestown-CO-95443.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Jasper
Founded in 1875 to mine gold and silver – Located southwest of Monte Vista
![Jasper, Colorado ca. 1920](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Jasper_CO_ca1920_0034.jpg)
![Miser Mine near Jasper, Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Miser_Mine_Jasper_CO_0044.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Kokomo
Founded in 1878 to mine silver – Peak population near 10,000! Located southwest of Copper Mountain
![Kokomo 1881](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/kokomoCO-historical8.jpg)
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/kokomoCO1885.jpg)
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/kokomoCO-historical6.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/La Plata
Located in San Juan region of the State
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/La%20Plata/thumbnails/La_Plata_2.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Lawrence
Lawrence not totally ghosted but close – near Victor
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Lawrence/thumbnails/IMG_0049.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Manhattan
Founded in 1888 to mine gold – Peaked population at about 300 – Located near Red Feather Lakes
![Manhattan, Colorado 1888](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Manhattan_CO_1888_0114.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Marigold
Located between Victor and Cripple Creek – Served as a stage stop when the Carlton Tunnel was being built starting in 1930
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Marigold/thumbnails/IMG_0317.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Marigold/thumbnails/IMG_0494.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Mayday
Founded in the 1890s
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Mayday/thumbnails/Mayday2.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/McGregor
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northwest/McGregor/thumbnails/McGregor_0001.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northwest/McGregor/thumbnails/McGregor_0006.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northwest/McGregor/thumbnails/McGregor_0002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Middleton
Founded in the 1870s – Located between Eureka and Howardsville
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Middleton/thumbnails/Middleton_0002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Mineral
Founded in 1875 to mine gold, silver, zinc and lead – Located southeast of Ouray -located at the lofty elevation of 11,700 feet
![Mineral Point Hotel ca. 1883](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Mineral_Point_ca1883_0032.jpg)
![Mineral Point. Colorado ca. 1883](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Mineral_Point_CO_ca1883_0033.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Montgomery
Founded in 1861 to mine gold – Located northwest of Fairplay not far from Alma
![Montgomery, Colorado 1864](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Montgomery_CO_1864_39358.jpeg)
![Watered Powered Arrastra at Montgomery Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/1860s_Colorado_Arrastra_11674.jpg)
Colorado Ghosts Towns/Mound City
Mound City reached a population of about 1,00 founded in 1891 in Teller County to mine gold
![Mound City, Colorado 1893](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/mound_city_CO_1893_333445.jpeg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Mound%20City/thumbnails/IMG_0244.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Mound%20City/thumbnails/IMG_0350.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Mount Harris
Very near Wadge
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northwest/Mount%20Harris/thumbnails/Mount_Harris_0002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Nevadaville
I included this one because my family at one time owned a small gold mine there. Located just up the hill south of Central City – Reached a peak population of near 1,000 people.
![Nevadaville Colorado 1890s](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/nevadaville_CO_1890s_999223.jpeg)
![Nevadaville Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Colorado-Nevadaville-37df04442b.jpg)
![Nevadaville Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Colorado-Nevadaville-16bc9a0826.jpg)
Colorado Ghosts Towns/Niegoldstown
Founded in the 1870s to mine gold – Reached a population of abut 250 – Located slightly northeast of Silverton
![Old Hundred Mine ca. 1910](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Old_Hundred_mine_ca1910_44811.jpg)
![Old Hundred boarding house ca. 1910](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Old_Hundred_mine_ca1910_93311.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Niegoldstown/thumbnails/Niegoldstown_0003.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Pandora
Founded in 1880 to mine gold and silver – Located east of Telluride
![Pandora town and mills with Telluride in the distance](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Pandora_CO_ca1910_11032.jpg)
![Smuggler-Union Mill at Pandora Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Pandora-CO-53988.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Pandora
Located near Telluride
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Pandora/thumbnails/Pandora_0001.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Pandora/thumbnails/Pandora_0004.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Perigo
Founded in 1860 to mine gold – Located southwest of Rollinsville
![Perigo, Colorado ca. 1899](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Perigo_CO_ca1899_001.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Placer Gulch
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Placer%20Gulch/thumbnails/Placer_Gulch_Colorado_002.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Placer%20Gulch/thumbnails/Placer_Gulch_Colorado_004.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Querida
Founded in 1870s to mine silver – Located just east of Westcliffe
![Querida, Colorado and the Bassick mine 1880s](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Querida_CO_1880s_773092.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Red Mountain Town
Founded in the 1870s to mine silver – Peak population of around 1,000. Located between Ouray and Silverton
![Red Mountain Town ca. 1890s](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Red_Mountain_CO_ca1890s_003.jpg)
![Red Mountain Town rebuilds after a fire in 1892](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Red_Mountain_CO_1892_002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Rockvale
Still barely alive – Rockvale reached a population of 1,500 – Founded in 1863
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Rockvale/thumbnails/IMG_0032.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Roses Cabin
Founded in 1874 to mine gold and silver – Peak population was near 50 residents – Located southeast of Ouray
![Roses Cabin 1870s](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/roses_cabin_co_5542.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/St. Elmo
St. Elmo reached a population of 2,000
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-15.png?w=433)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-22.png?w=559)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Saints John
Founded in 1864 to mine silver – Located southeast of Silverthorne
![Saints John Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Saints_John_CO_ca1900_44320.jpeg)
![Mine crew at Saints John Colorado ca. 1880](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Saints_John_ca1880_330127.jpeg)
Colorado Ghosts Towns/Sherman
Founded 1877 to mine gold and silver – Located southwest of Lake City and southeast of Ouray
![General store and Black Wonder Mill - Sherman, Colorado ca. 1894](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Sherman_CO_ca1890_006648.jpg)
![Black Wonder Mill Sherman Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Sherman_CO_ca1895_226648.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Sherman/thumbnails/Sherman_Colorado_003.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Siloam
This is a true ‘ghost town’ completely barren – This was a ranching community of about 100 persons – Drought decimated the town in the 1930s – Near present day Pueblo
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Siloam/thumbnails/IMG_0004.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Silver Cloud
A lead mining community located between Silverton and Ouray
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Silver%20Cloud%20Mine/thumbnails/Silver_Cloud_Mine_0003.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Silver%20Cloud%20Mine/thumbnails/Silver_Cloud_Mine_0006.jpg)
Ghost Towns Colorado /Silver Lake
Located southwest of Silverton – Founded in 1871
![Iowa Mine on Silver Lake](https://westernmininghistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Silver_Lake_3.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Silver%20Lake/thumbnails/Silver_Lake_Colorado_002.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Smuggler
Founded in 1895 to mine gold and silver – Peak population was near 200. Located almost directly east of Telluride
![Smuggler mine and camp 1936](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Smuggler_mine_CO_1936_33421.jpg)
![Funeral procession for Superintendent Charles M. Baker at the Smuggler Mine 1902](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Smuggler_mine_CO_1902_38121.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Smuggler-Union%20Mine/thumbnails/Smuggler_Union_Mine_0001.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Smuggler-Union%20Mine/thumbnails/Smuggler_Union_Mine_0006.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Sneffels
Founded 1875 to mine silver – Peak population was about 2,000 – Located northeast of Telluride
![Sneffels Colorado 1885](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/sneffels_CO_1885_tt5566.jpeg)
![Revenue Mill and mine complex in Sneffels Colorado 1896](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/sneffels_CO_1896_77775431.jpeg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Sneffles/thumbnails/Sneffles_0001.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Sneffles/thumbnails/Torpedo_Eclipse_Mine_0003.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Stunner
Founded in 1886 to mine gold and silver – Peak population about 150 – Located south of South Fork
![Stunner, Colorado 1913](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Stunner_CO_1913_001.jpg)
![Miners near Stunner, Colorado ca. 1913](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Stunner_CO_ca1913_003.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Summitville
Founded in 1870s with a peak population near 1,500 – Mined gold – Located southwest of Del Norte
![Early view of Summitville, Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Summitville-CO-05277.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Summitville/thumbnails/Summitville_0003.jpg)
![Summitville Superfund site](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Summitville_superfund_site_00311.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Summitville/thumbnails/Summitville_0006.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Sunset
Founded in 1883 to mine gold – Located northwest of Nederland.
![Sunset, Colorado 1901](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Sunset-CO-1901-0003.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Sunnyside
Another mine located between Silverton and Ouray
![Eureka, Colorado and the Sunnyside Mine – Legends of America](https://www.legendsofamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SunnysideMine.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Sunnyside/thumbnails/Sunnyside_0001.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Sunnyside/thumbnails/Sunnyside_0006.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Sunshine
Very little known about Sunshine – Located northwest of Boulder near Gold Hill
![](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Sunshine-CO-09122.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Tarryall
Founded in 1859 near Idaho Springs
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Tarryall%20Diggings/thumbnails/IMG_0146.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Tincup
Founded in 1879 to mine gold – Peak population was near 1,500 – Located southwest of Buena Vista
![Tincup Colorado 1906](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/tincup-colorado-1906-4444222.jpeg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Tomboy
Founded in 1894 to mine gold – Peak population near 200 – Located east of Telluride
![Tomboy](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Tomboy_CO_1930s_93401.jpg)
![Loads of gold coming down trail from the Tomboy mine to Telluride Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Tomboy_Road_ca1910_LOC_008213.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Tomboy
Located at a hefty 11,599 feet located in San Miguel County
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Tomboy/thumbnails/Ghost_Town_Tomboy_0001.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Tomboy/thumbnails/Ghost_Town_Tomboy_0003.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Tomboy/thumbnails/Ghost_Town_Tomboy_0008.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Treasure Mountain
![Treasure Mountain Mine ghost town, Colorado | Colorado towns, Abandoned ...](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0c/3b/58/0c3b5862742f4dc75dae09e9328fee48.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/sanjuans/Treasure%20Mountain%20Mine/thumbnails/treasure_mountain_mine_003.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Tungsten
Founded in 1916 to mine tungsten of course – Located northeast of Nederland
![Tungsten, Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Tungsten_CO_448215.jpg)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-253.png?w=813)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Turret
Founded in 1897 to mine gold, silver and then copper – Population peaked near 200 – Located north of Salida
![Turret, Colorado 1903](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Turret_CO_1903_005463.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Victor – Rocky Mountain News – 1958
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-3.png?w=329)
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-23.png?w=493)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Vulcan
Founded in 1895 to mine gold – Peak population was near 500 – Located southeast of Gunnison
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-254.png?w=661)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Wage
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northwest/Wadge/thumbnails/Wadge_0006.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/northwest/Wadge/thumbnails/Wadge_0004.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Wagon Wheel Gap
Founded in 1875
![](https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-428.png?w=2000)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Wall Street
Founded 1898 to mine gold – Located near Gold Hill outside of Boulder
![Wall Street, Colorado 1901](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Wall-Street-CO-88325.jpg)
![Wallstreet Colorado](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Wall-Street-CO-school-1901-55388.jpg)
Colorado Ghost Towns/Wilbur
Another true ‘ghost town’ located in Phantom Canyon near Florence and Victor
![Vulcan, Colorado ca. 1900](https://westernmininghistory.com/images/town_gallery/Vulcan_CO_ca1900_6732.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Wilbur/thumbnails/IMG_0069.jpg)
![](https://www.coloradopast.com/ghosttowns/central/Wilbur/thumbnails/IMG_0071.jpg)