Butte Theater

Since the town’s early days as a small mining camp, theater has always been a part of the rich heritage of Cripple Creek. Theaters and opera houses have come and gone over the years, but one historical venue that began in the heyday of the gold rush still features exciting and original live entertainment to this day: the Butte Theater. The “Butte Concert and Beer Hall” premiered in 1896, when proprietors Halbekann & Hertz featured nightly entertainment, including a Ladies’ Vienna Orchestra. Cripple Creek’s opera house went on to have many lives over its 100+ year history – it was a skating rink, a dance academy and an auto garage, to name a few. It even housed the Cripple Creek Fire Department! Today the Butte Theater is one of only a handful of theaters in the country still consistently producing Classic Melodramas.

Built in 1895 as the Midland Railroad Terminal, the Cripple Creek District Museum has worked to preserve the history of Cripple Creek since 1953. Visitors can browse through a number of historic buildings, including the 1893 Colorado Trading & Transfer building, the turn of the century Assay Office, two historic cabins and two Victorian apartments. A self-guided tour of the museum includes exhibits of railroad history, mining memorabilia, mineral displays, historic maps, furnishings and photos. 

The Cripple Creek Donkeys can be found free roaming the city streets from mid-May through mid-October. The herd is cared for by the The Two Mile High Club. The Club is made up of volunteers and all the care costs of the herd are donation based only. From mid-October through mid-May, you can find the herd in the winter pasture located off C street and Thurlow. We encourage you to only feed our donkeys approved “donkey biscuits” which can be found at local museums, shops and at the feeding platform located at their winter pasture. PLEASE, NO  PEOPLE FOOD OR JUNK FOOD.  Please support our “Healthy Herd” campaign in partnership with their new vet.  Healthy biscuits are available at the Jail Museum, Heritage Center, Aspen Mine Center, Rocky Mountain Canary General Store, Double Eagle Casino, The District Museum Gift Shop, Historic Train Car, Maudie’s Emporium, Winter Pasture (next to Mountain View Adventure Park) and the Cripple Creek Hospitality House.

Visitors come from all over the country to visit our donkeys. If you are interested in supporting the Two Mile High Club with care costs.

n 1967, the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad started taking passengers on a journey back into gold rush history and into the scenic heart of the Rocky Mountains. With its lovingly restored steam locomotives and historic 1894 station house, the railroad is one of the Gold Camp’s favorite family attractions. Trains leave the depot daily from mid-May through mid-October, taking visitors on an approximately 4 mile round-trip that includes stops at special points of interest with great photo opportunities. 

The Cripple Creek Fire Station #3 was built in 1900 to provide added protection after the city’s two catastrophic fires in 1896, which burned 47 acres of the city and destroyed more than 400 buildings. On display are a number of historic photos displays of firefighting equipment including a 1909 Seagrave fire wagon, a 1903 hook and ladder wagon from neighboring Goldfield, and a hose cart used in fighting local fires. Fire Station #3 is owned and operated by the City of Cripple Creek to commemorate the service of our brave firefighters throughout the years. 

In the late 1800’s thousands of fortune-seekers made their way to Cripple Creek for America’s last great gold rush. The Cripple Creek Heritage Center will get you started on your Cripple Creek journey by using state of the art interactive technology offering a look into gold mining history of yesterday and today, geologic and human history and information to regional recreation, activities and attractions. Stop here before entering the town for a spectacular view of all there is to see and do in historic Cripple Creek and Victor 

Housed in the original Teller County Jail, the Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum is authentic right down to the 1901 jail cells. There was never a shortage of lawlessness in this rough mining camp, and those caught breaking the law, often did “time” right here in this building. Displays highlight early city ordinances, newspaper accounts of crimes large and small, mugshots of local criminals and even pictures of sheriffs never seen anywhere else. 

This historic gold mine tour descends 1,000 feet below ground, where visitors learn about the workings of the 1890s hard rock gold miner. Guided tours allow visitors to explore the overlapping evolution of all four mining phases used to extract gold from the Mollie Kathleen, beginning with a ride on a skip to the lower working levels of the mine. Visitors witness the operation of numerous pieces of air-powered gold mining equipment and ride aboard the last air-powered Tram-Air Locomotive.

The Homestead House, build in 1896, was once the most famous brothel in Cripple Creek. Originally owned and operated by Pearl DeVere, the opulent parlor bustled with activity and became known for impeccable service for high powered customers and glamorous ladies of the evening. At a time when $3 a day was considered a good wage for a miner, Pearl charged $250 a night for the girls in her house, and she got it. Today, the Homestead House is a museum that has been lovingly restored with historically accurate furniture, artifacts, wall coverings and even the original “viewing room.” 

This rugged three-story museum does more than showcase tractors, vehicles and old pulleys and equipment–this museum is also a working garage. Visitors can watch a complex system of pulleys and belts that power extremely large machines and equipment that would have been found in a large garage like this. An old blacksmith forge is complete with a hammer and anvil and still used at this garage today. Some of the vehicles on display are on loan to the museum; however, the large collection of tractors and equipment belongs to the curator of the museum–be sure to catch some of the great history and stories behind the impressive pieces on display! 

Visit our City Park or Mountain View Adventure Park. Enjoy one of the many amenities we have to offer. Choose from Disc Golf, a 2.5K Trail, Sledding Hill, Dog Park, BMX biking, skatepark, multi-use court or one of our playgrounds. Or, you can simply pack a lunch and enjoy the fresh mountain air at one of our Picnic Shelters. 

A popular watchable wildlife area, Mueller is home to abundant wildlife including elk, black bear, hawks, and mule deer. Visitors can enjoy year-round recreational opportunities including camping, picnicking, trail use, fishing and nature studies.  Winter activities include sledding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Mueller State Park welcomes leashed pets in campgrounds, picnic areas and on the paved roads, but not on the hiking trails or in the backcountry. 

Eat, drink, and win when you take a seat at the friendly slots in Bronco Billy’s Casino, also named “Best Casino” in The Gazette and The Colorado Springs Independent for several consecutive years! They’re the #1 stop for all things fun near Colorado Springs. They offer fun, food, and fortune every day. Enjoy video poker, the latest slot machines, with a few retro ones thrown in for a well-rounded gaming experience spaced for your safety. 

Century Casino has a great selection of popular penny slots, all the hot new slots, video poker machines and classic reel games. Join the Gold Club and earn free play, free food and overnight stays. Look for fun promotions every day of the week at Century Casino. 

European Elegance Meets Colorado Comfort – Nestled in the majestic Rockies, at the center of historic Cripple Creek, the new Chamonix Casino Hotel offers Colorado’s best casino resort experience. When it comes to casinos, ours is in a class by itself. A touch of Las Vegas—brough to you in distinctive Colorado fashion. 

Located in the Fairly-Lampman building, the Colorado Grande Casino offers an authentic Cripple Creek gaming experience with a variety of games. In addition to its offering of video poker and the “oldies but goodies” with loose dollar reel slots, you can also find the latest Aristocrat and IGT games with current TITO penny machines. Machines at the Colorado Grande Casino include $5, quarter, nickel and penny slots. 

Located at the corner of Third Street and Bennett Avenue, Johnny Nolon’s Casino in Cripple Creek offers a variety of slot machines and video poker for unlimited gaming fun. Be sure to ask about Johnny Nolon’s hot progressives and new promotions. 

McGill’s Hotel & Casino boasts a variety of excitement and entertainment, with video poker, slots and progressive machines on the spacious floor. McGill’s Casino & Hotel is designed for comfort, convenience and excitement, the mezzanine overlooks the main level of the casino and has the hottest coin games in town. 

From the grand staircase to the warmth and hospitality of the staff, you will feel as though you stepped back in time at the Midnight Rose Hotel & Casino. Enjoy state-of-the-art games and luxurious gaming rooms in an atmosphere fit for royalty. With two spacious floors of entertainment, the Midnight Rose Hotel & Casino features the newest and hottest slots from WMS, IGT, Aristocrat and more. 

The Brass Ass Casino is located inside one of the city’s most historic buildings. The Brass Ass Casino features old town street scene décor, including western building facades and the original Cripple Creek lighted-sign from H.H. Rosser’s Pool Hall. This Colorado Casino is named after the brass ass statue in the window of the casino – one of the original brass donkeys that launched boats with a well-placed kick at the 1893 World Exposition in Chicago. 

One of Cripple Creek’s largest casinos, the Double Eagle Hotel & Casino features live table action, including Double Deck Pitch Blackjack with a 3-2 pay table, and Roulette, with digital odds display. Prefer the slots? The Double Eagle Hotel & Casino boasts the latest slots and video poker machines from IGT, Williams Bally and Aristocrat. 

At Golden Nugget, you will find hundreds of your favorite slots and video poker machines, along with Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette. Be sure to sign up for the 24K Select Club – the quickest way to earn exclusive member-only rewards at Golden Nugget!