Museum of Colorado Prisons

The Museum of Colorado Prisons is housed in a former women's prison building next to the active Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility. The upper floor displays thirty cells, while the lower level contains the original kitchen, isolation cells, and exhibits focused on federal prisons.

The museum was founded in 1988 and preserves artifacts and documents from Colorado's correctional institutions. The collections document more than 140 years of regional prison history.

The museum displays personal stories from inmates and staff through photographs, documents, and belongings that belonged to them. These exhibits offer direct insights into life behind bars from different viewpoints.

The building is straightforward to navigate with clearly marked areas spread across two levels. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since there are many stairs and narrow hallways throughout.

The museum displays the actual cell of Alfred Packer, a man convicted of cannibalism in the 1870s. His story represents one of the strangest and darkest chapters in western criminal history.

Location: Cañon City

Location: Fremont County

Location: Colorado

Inception: 1988

Address: 201 NORTH 1ST STREET

Phone: +17192693015

Website: http://prisonmuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 38.43930,-105.24719

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:21