Cripple Creek Jail Museum

Fun little museum for a quick stop and its $ 2 to wander around as long as you like. Starts with a quick description about the history of the jail (in our case from a super friendly and smiling staff member) and then you can walk around the entire place reading signs, looking at memorabilia and seeing all of the different cells and how they evolved through its history. You can even throw on some jail clothes and take pictures anywhere.
Little gift shop to walk through at the beginning or end. Educational and a fun little quick stop to break up your day.

Grandson # 1: «You can go inside the cells and lock the doors.» Grandson #2: One «resident» drew a 44 Magnum, a light switch and a ceiling light on his walls. Grandson #3: «The cells were cool.» Grandson #4: «I liked getting my mug shot taken»
Admission is reasonable.

Best $ 2 I spent all day! This is the Teller County jail that was used from the early 1900s until 1992. The curator does her own research on previous convicts and provided a great introduction. You are allowed to wander (freely!) in and out off the cells for men, women, and children. Fascinating to see the Marlins scratched into the cell walls.
My 6yo and I really enjoyed the hour we spent here.

Cons should have to take a tour of this old time jail just to see how good they have it now a days. The conditions here are pretty brutal. Concrete and iron and that’s about it. No amenities like gyms, libraries and TV. There is a log book where people can write about paranormal activities they witness.
FREE, donations accepted.
Service dogs only.

we were passing through cripple creek to drive phantom canyon and we drove past this sweet sherriff badge dangling in front of the old jail. «tourist trap» is what we initially thought. after a pit stop at the train car information center (best public restrooms for at least 500 miles), the sweet lady behind the counter told us it was $ 2/​adult or $ 1 for military/​fire/​ems/​law enforcement, and children get in free. the jail museum now had more of our attention.
we drive back up the hill to the museum and find some parking. there are many spots around the building and across the street. upon entering you can pay to your right at the small window or around the corner in the gift shop. the cashier gave us a quick rundown of what we could see and do in the museum. «feel free to dress up in prison clothes and sit in the cells» he said. SOLD. the jail museum now has our full attention.
to the left of the entrance there is a small holding «cell» or booking room. you can write your name on the board and take your photo against the height chart. sweet. now i can send all my friends a legitimate booking photo. down the hallway there is a flight of stairs going up to the 2^nd floor where the jail held women and children… how awesome is that? the women had regular cells which were segregated on the 2^nd floor from the men (main area) and the children had their own bunk beds. all along the way you could see portraits and descriptions of people who committed crimes and were held there.
downstairs in the hallway you can see homemade shanks and pipes recently confiscated from various prisons/​jails around colorado. we went through the doorway to the main area and… wow. people are already putting on prison clothes and taking photos in the cell. walking around the cells you can read about the history on the walls and see photos and trinkets from when the prison was active (it closed in 1996 when a new facility was built in divide). going into the cells on the main floor was a real treat. you can go up the stairs and see solitary on the 2^nd floor.
this is a small place but packed with fun. for $ 2 you really can’t get this kind of entertainment down the street on the main drag. sure… you might win a big jackpot at the brass ass but you could also go home broke and lose your house. don’t do that. come to the jail museum, dress up, get your new facebook profile pic in the booking room, and continue on with your trip without breaking the bank or taking up too much time.
totally worth it. i’d like to see more shanks, law enforcement patches and badges from around colorado, and a cabinet full of interesting confiscated items from other facilities. would definitely recommend to friends on future visits to the cripple creek area.