Each October, Historic Hotels of America releases its highly anticipated list of the Top 25 Most Haunted Hotels, celebrating eerie tales, historical legends, and ghostly encounters. For 2025, Glenwood Springs’ iconic Hotel Colorado has earned a chilling place among this haunted elite.
According to an October 8 press release from Historic Hotels of America, the hotels featured on the list are known for their rich histories and spine-tingling stories passed down through generations. Guests and staff alike have reported encounters with everything from ghostly Revolutionary War soldiers and shadowy figures of U.S. presidents to heartbroken brides, phantom footsteps, and even spectral bellhops and engineers. These hotels are said to be home to guests who never checked out—and staff who never stopped working.
Hotel Colorado, established in 1893, joins the ranks of these storied establishments thanks to its long-standing reputation for paranormal activity. The hotel shares the spotlight with other notable haunted destinations, including Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, the Wort Hotel in Wyoming, and the Sayre Mansion in Pennsylvania.
One of Hotel Colorado’s most well-known spirits is “Walter,” believed to be the lingering presence of hotel founder Walter Devereux. Guests have reported smelling cigar smoke—Walter’s signature scent—drifting through the halls in the evening hours.
“There’s a lot of stories and legends tucked away when you’ve been around for over 100 years,” said Alta Otto, social sales manager at Hotel Colorado. “One of the most popular ghost stories is Walter Devereux and the scent of cigar smoke throughout the hotel.”
Another ghostly figure said to haunt the hotel is Bobbie, a nurse who, according to legend, was murdered by a jealous lover while the hotel was being used as a naval hospital during World War II. Guests have reported catching the scent of gardenia perfume—popular in the 1930s and 40s—which many attribute to Bobbie’s lingering presence.
“We’re thrilled to be named one of the 25 most haunted hotels,” Otto added. “There were some pretty fun hotels listed in the article.”
For those brave enough to explore the hotel’s haunted history firsthand, Hotel Colorado will host its second annual Halloween Costume Ball on Friday, October 24. Guests are invited to dress up and perhaps even encounter one of the hotel’s resident spirits.
For more information on the event, visit: hotelcolorado.com/events/halloween-ball/.
Source: postindependent.com