Cripple Creek

Cripple Creek is a mining town in Teller County, Colorado, sitting at 2,894 meters elevation near Pikes Peak. The streets are lined with brick buildings reconstructed after the great fire of 1896.

Robert Miller Womack discovered gold in the area in 1890, triggering a rapid influx that brought around 10,000 people by 1895. The district yielded over 23 million ounces of gold before mining declined and legalized gambling revived economic life in 1991.

The downtown area holds National Historic Landmark status and displays buildings from the gold rush era that now house working casinos. Visitors walk through streets that still follow the layout of the 1890s, with brick structures dating to 1896.

The town sits along State Highway 67, which climbs from Colorado Springs and takes about an hour to drive. Most museums and casinos are located downtown, which is easy to explore on foot.

Over 500 mines operated around the town, many still visible today as shafts and tunnels in the terrain. Some old mines now offer guided tours where visitors can ride into the tunnels.

Location: Teller County

Elevation above the sea: 2,894 m

Website: https://cityofcripplecreek.com

GPS coordinates: 38.74729,-105.17928

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:02