Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum tells the story of the Pikes Peak region inside the grand 1903 El Paso County Courthouse, the domed clock tower you can spot all over downtown. Admission is always free, so it’s an easy stop for history buffs, families and anyone who loves a beautiful old building.
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs, CO
The museum began as a collecting institution in 1896, and in 1979 it moved into the former courthouse, which served El Paso County from 1903 to 1973. The granite building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the restored Division I Courtroom is a highlight of any visit. The museum’s fine art, artifacts and archives document the region’s cultural history, and it’s accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, a recognition held by only about 3 percent of the nation’s museums. More than 100,000 people visit each year. Current exhibits include Freedom to Thrive, 50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity, Fannie Mae Duncan: An Unforgettable Life and Legacy about the beloved owner of the Cotton Club, and Colorado Nick: A Legacy of Tattoo Art in Colorado Springs. The Starsmore Center for Local History holds research collections for anyone digging into local history.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome and no tickets are needed. For 2026 it’s closed on city holidays that fall on its open days: Nov. 11, Nov. 26 and 27, and Dec. 24 and 25. Park in the garage at 130 S. Nevada Ave., at Nevada and Colorado avenues, or at a downtown meter. All exhibits are wheelchair accessible, with a ramp entrance on the south side of the building (ring the doorbell for help) and elevators to every floor. Restrooms and drinking fountains are on the main floor.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum by David Shankbone by David Shankbone (CC BY-SA 3.0); Historic El Paso County Courthouse in Colorado Springs, Colorado by ForgottenColorado (CC BY-SA 4.0); Pioneers Museum – former El Paso Coounty Courthouse by JAKeeran (CC BY-SA 3.0); El Paso County Court House, Colorado Springs, Colo (NYPL b12647398-69798) by Detroit Publishing Company (Public domain); Downtown Colorado Springs Outside Pioneers Museum by David Shankbone (CC BY-SA 3.0). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
The museum’s fall calendar is packed: Little Learners: Monster Mash on Oct. 22, a History Stroll on Oct. 24, Halloween History Detectives on Oct. 31, a Lunch & Learn about Theio, the Garden of the Gods dinosaur, on Nov. 4, and a Nov. 14 talk on Lowry Field in World War II. “Marking Time” guided tours run Oct. 24, 27 and 31 and Nov. 3, 7, 10 and 14. See details on the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum?
- Historic courthouse: Explore the 1903 building and its restored Division I Courtroom.
- Rotating exhibits: See shows on Fannie Mae Duncan, women artists, tattoo art and more.
- Guided tours: Join a “Marking Time” tour on select dates.
- Family programs: Bring little ones to Little Learners and holiday activities.
- Local history research: Dig into archives at the Starsmore Center for Local History.
What is nearby the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum?
- Acacia Park and downtown Tejon Street: Restaurants, shops and the downtown core steps away.
- Garden of the Gods: Famous red-rock formations a short drive west.
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: Feed the giraffes on the mountainside southwest of downtown.
- The Broadmoor Seven Falls: A seven-step waterfall in South Cheyenne Cañon.
- Glen Eyrie Castle: General Palmer’s stone castle near Garden of the Gods.
Is the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum free?
Yes. Admission is always free, walk-ins are welcome and no tickets are required. Some special programs may require registration, so check the event listing.
When is the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum open?
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s closed Sundays and Mondays and on 2026 city holidays: Nov. 11, Nov. 26, Nov. 27, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.
Are there any tips for visiting the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum?
Use the parking garage at 130 S. Nevada Ave. or downtown meters. If you need the accessible ramp, use the south entrance and ring the bell for staff. Look up at the clock tower from the lawn out front for the best photo, then grab lunch on Tejon Street. Call 719-385-5990 with questions.
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is located at 215 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Call 719-385-5990 or visit cspm.org to plan your visit.