The jail was built in 1901 following the Teller County Gold Rush to manage the influx of criminals in the region.
The facility remained in active use by the Teller County Sheriff’s Department until 1992.
Many of the jail's original interior elements, including the heavy steel doors and locking mechanisms, remain intact.
The site includes documentation regarding the labor conflicts and strikes that defined Cripple Creek's volatile mining history.
Visitors can view the original 'drunk tank' used for short-term detainment during the early 1900s.
The Outlaws & Law Men Jail Museum is located in the original 1901 Teller County Jail building in Cripple Creek, Colorado. It served as a functional detention facility for over 90 years before transitioning into a museum. The site preserves original cell blocks, iron bars, and booking areas used throughout the 20th century. Visitors can walk through the sheriff's office and view historical artifacts related to the region's mining-era law enforcement. The museum highlights the stories of both local lawmen and the outlaws they captured during the town's period as a gold rush hub. It maintains an immersive atmosphere with historical displays housed within the actual stone and steel architecture of the former jail.
Inside the primary cell block area, framed by the original iron bars.
Ask staff about the specific history of the 'upstairs' vs 'downstairs' jail sections.
Allow time to read the detailed placards located throughout the cell blocks for context on specific historical inmates.
Combine your visit with a walking tour of the nearby historic downtown district.
Do not expect a high-tech or polished digital exhibit; the museum is intentionally rustic and focused on the historical structure itself.
Operating season generally aligns with the summer and early autumn tourism cycle; verify if visiting during winter months.
