Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek is a high-country gold camp on the southwest side of Pikes Peak, where Victorian brick buildings line Bennett Avenue and mine headframes dot the surrounding hills. Sitting at about 9,500 feet, the town blends Wild West history, historic casinos, museums and a famously friendly herd of free-roaming donkeys.
Cripple Creek in Cripple Creek, CO
After years of prospecting, rancher Bob Womack discovered gold ore in Poverty Gulch in 1890, launching Colorado’s last great gold rush. On July 4, 1891, Winfield Scott Stratton staked the Independence mine, which made him Cripple Creek’s first millionaire. By 1894 the district had 150 active mines, and railroads soon connected the camp to Colorado Springs and Florence. Two fires in April 1896 destroyed much of downtown, which was rebuilt in brick, giving Bennett Avenue the look it still has today. When mining faded, the town turned to tourism, and limited-stakes gaming arrived on Oct. 1, 1991.
Start at the free Cripple Creek Heritage Center on Highway 67 for exhibits and a bird’s-eye view over town, then explore Bennett Avenue’s casinos, the Outlaws & Lawmen Jail Museum and the Cripple Creek District Museum, which opened in 1953 in the former Midland Terminal depot. Cripple Creek pairs well with a drive up the Pikes Peak Highway or a ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, and gaming fans can compare it with Black Hawk.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: Town of Cripple Creek, Colorado, USA by James St. John (CC BY 2.0); Downtown Cripple Creek by David Shankbone (CC BY 3.0); Downtown Cripple Creek Colorado by David Shankbone (CC BY 3.0); Double Eagle Casino Cripple Creek by EconomicOldenburger (CC BY-SA 4.0); Outlaws & Lawmen Jail Museum by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 4.0); Cripple Creek District Museum by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 3.0); Welcome to Cripple Creek Colorado by David Shankbone (CC BY 3.0); Cripple Creek CO in 2006 by David (CC BY 2.0); Cripple Creek, Colorado, 1957, Kodachrome by Chalmers Butterfield by The original uploader was Sba2 (CC BY 2.5). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
Fall color season has wrapped up in the Cripple Creek District, and the town is heading into its winter season of holiday events and snowy mountain views. The Cripple Creek Heritage Center switches to winter hours of 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily starting Nov. 1. Summer highlights include Donkey Derby Days, a tradition that began in 1931. See visitcripplecreek.com for events and casino information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Cripple Creek?
- Heritage Center: Explore free exhibits and town views.
- Casinos: Play in historic Bennett Avenue gaming halls.
- Museums: Visit the District Museum and Jail Museum.
- Mining history: Spot headframes from the 1890s gold rush.
- Donkeys: Meet the town’s free-roaming donkey herd.
When was gold discovered in Cripple Creek?
Bob Womack discovered gold ore in Poverty Gulch in 1890, starting what the city calls Colorado’s last and greatest mining boom.
When did casinos open in Cripple Creek?
Colorado voters approved limited gaming in November 1990, and the first casinos opened in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk and Central City on Oct. 1, 1991.
Is the Cripple Creek Heritage Center free?
Yes, admission is free. It is open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Nov. 1 to March 31 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
How high is Cripple Creek?
Cripple Creek sits at about 9,500 feet above sea level, so drink plenty of water, take it slow and pack layers, as mountain weather can change quickly.
The Cripple Creek Heritage Center is at 9283 S. Highway 67, Cripple Creek, CO 80813. Call 719-689-3315 or visit visitcripplecreek.com to plan your visit.