The museum building was originally constructed as a women's prison in 1935.
It sits on the grounds of the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility, which opened in 1871.
The facility includes a display of a replica gas chamber used during Colorado's period of capital punishment.
Many of the exhibits were curated by retired prison guards and staff who worked within the adjacent penitentiary.
The site features an extensive collection of contraband items confiscated from prisoners over several decades.
It is the only museum in the United States located within the original structure of a women's correctional facility.
The location remains an active corrections site, with the museum separated from active prison operations by a wall.
Displays include detailed accounts of famous escapes and the evolution of prisoner rehabilitation programs.
The Museum of Colorado Prisons occupies the original 1935 Women's Correctional Facility building, located directly adjacent to the historic Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility. The museum presents an unfiltered look at the state's penal system through 30 distinct cell exhibits, each focusing on a different aspect of prison life, history, and inmate craftsmanship. Visitors walk through the original cell blocks, which house displays covering topics ranging from the evolution of death penalty methods to the history of inmate contraband. The facility documents the history of law enforcement and incarceration in the American West from 1871 to the present day. Significant portions of the museum are dedicated to the personal histories of long-term inmates and the daily operational realities of prison staff. The building itself retains much of its original architecture, including the secure layout and materials characteristic of early 20th-century penal facilities. It serves as a repository for historical artifacts such as primitive disciplinary tools and inmate-made art pieces.
The original prison cell block corridor, which offers a stark and authentic view of the facility's interior architecture.
Read the provided inmate narratives in each cell to get a human perspective on the penal system.
Allocate extra time for the outdoor exhibit area if visiting in moderate weather.
Check the museum's official website for any potential restricted access due to nearby facility lockdowns.
Rushing through the individual cells, as the narrative value is contained within the specific stories inside each unit.
Closed annually during the month of January for winter break and maintenance.
Maintain a respectful demeanor given the somber nature of the facility; photography is permitted but should remain respectful of historical artifacts.
