COLORADO OFF-PEAK VISITS Fridays through Sundays are peak travel days in many mountain towns. Plan your excursions so you spend more time soaking up alpine views. Cripple Creek However, World War II brought that to a screeching halt. The federal government suspended all gold mining during the war, and many Cripple Creek mines closed for good. A Modern-Day Gold Rush A century after the initial rush, the region saw a new boom after passing a 1990 amendment allowing casinos to break ground. Now, visitors flock to Cripple Creek to take their chance at striking gold with gaming — in much more comfortable conditions compared to the prospectors before them. Visitors can try their hand at blackjack, slots, roulette, poker and more at the fun-filled, glowing pavilions. Despite the industry transition, the town maintains its Gold Rush-era charm today. Establishments overflowing with local history line the downtown, and several tours and museums allow visitors to extract stories from the area’s prosperous and colorful past. Learn more about other Colorado mining towns and historic districts at Colorado.com/MiningTowns. STUDIO DENVER/ALLEN L. THORNTON Where to Go: After shutting down, the Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Railroad was disassembled and converted into a roadway. But you can still experience Cripple Creek by trolley today. Check out the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad , a steam engine that loops riders past gold-filled excavation sites and other exciting points of interest. COLORADO . COM 93
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2024: Page 93
