As a rule, states typically want to be known for their attractions, landmarks, and food, not for something as dark as murders and prisons. Sadly, some states are notorious for this and ours is no exception. While Colorado is generally a safe and peaceful place to live, we have still seen our fair share of crime, and have even come to house famous out-of-state criminals at some of our 27 prisons. While some of these institutions are more low-key, some are downright dangerous and deadly, including these 6 prisons that can only be found in Colorado:
- Administrative Maximum Facility (Florence)
Wikimedia Commons/Federal Bureau of Prisons When it comes to notorious Colorado prisons, there are none quite like the Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX Florence). Known for being the toughest federal prison in the country, ADX Florence is no-frills and all business, as it is currently housing Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (the Boston Marathon Bomber), Terry Nichols (an Oklahoma City Bombing accomplice), and - most famously - The Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski.
You can learn more about ADX and see more pictures by reading our previous article: The Deadly Prison That Can Only Be Found Here In Colorado.
- Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility (Ordway)
Wikimedia Commons/Jeffrey Beall While it may not house the likes of the Unabomber, the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility is a men’s prison that boasts minimum, medium, and high-security levels. Opened in 1987, Arkansas Valley is owned and operated by the Colorado Department of Corrections and can hold upwards of 1,007 inmates.
- Colorado State Penitentiary (Canon City)
TripAdvisor/MoonJoey Not to be confused with the Museum of Colorado Prisons (which is located just next door), the Colorado State Penitentiary is a Level V maximum security prison that houses Colorado’s death row. How can they have a max security prison so close to a public museum? The penitentiary - which is home to serial killer Scott Lee Kimball and Aurora Theater shooter James Holmes - is strictly solitary confinement, meaning inmates can only leave their cells for one hour each day.
- Sterling Correctional Facility (Sterling)
Wikimedia Commons/Jared Winkler Located in northeast Colorado is the Sterling Correctional Facility, which is the state’s largest prison. While the Colorado State Penitentiary may house the actual death row, Sterling is home to all three of Colorado’s death row inmates, who will eventually be transported to Canon City.
- Camp George West Historic District (Golden)
Wikimedia Commons/Hustvedt While it may not be the deadliest Colorado prison, Camp George is certainly the most unconventional. Once used as a rifle range, Camp George was a military base for the Colorado National Guard-turned emergency operations center, police academy, and - you guessed it - prison.
- La Vista Correctional Facility (Pueblo)
Google Street View Last but certainly not least is La Vista Correctional Facility, a women’s prison that currently houses the likes of Malaika Griffin (a six-year fugitive on the run for murder from 1999 to 2005). In addition to the main prison, La Vista has a distinct Administrative Segregation tower, where inmates are sent for both orientation and solitary confinement.
Needless to say, these six Colorado prisons are not at the top of anyone’s “must-visit” list, but do you know what is? All of the places on The Ultimate And Definitive Bucket List For Everyone In Colorado!
Wikimedia Commons/Federal Bureau of Prisons
When it comes to notorious Colorado prisons, there are none quite like the Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX Florence). Known for being the toughest federal prison in the country, ADX Florence is no-frills and all business, as it is currently housing Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (the Boston Marathon Bomber), Terry Nichols (an Oklahoma City Bombing accomplice), and - most famously - The Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski.
You can learn more about ADX and see more pictures by reading our previous article: The Deadly Prison That Can Only Be Found Here In Colorado.
Wikimedia Commons/Jeffrey Beall
While it may not house the likes of the Unabomber, the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility is a men’s prison that boasts minimum, medium, and high-security levels. Opened in 1987, Arkansas Valley is owned and operated by the Colorado Department of Corrections and can hold upwards of 1,007 inmates.
TripAdvisor/MoonJoey
Not to be confused with the Museum of Colorado Prisons (which is located just next door), the Colorado State Penitentiary is a Level V maximum security prison that houses Colorado’s death row. How can they have a max security prison so close to a public museum? The penitentiary - which is home to serial killer Scott Lee Kimball and Aurora Theater shooter James Holmes - is strictly solitary confinement, meaning inmates can only leave their cells for one hour each day.
Wikimedia Commons/Jared Winkler
Located in northeast Colorado is the Sterling Correctional Facility, which is the state’s largest prison. While the Colorado State Penitentiary may house the actual death row, Sterling is home to all three of Colorado’s death row inmates, who will eventually be transported to Canon City.
Wikimedia Commons/Hustvedt
While it may not be the deadliest Colorado prison, Camp George is certainly the most unconventional. Once used as a rifle range, Camp George was a military base for the Colorado National Guard-turned emergency operations center, police academy, and - you guessed it - prison.
Google Street View
Last but certainly not least is La Vista Correctional Facility, a women’s prison that currently houses the likes of Malaika Griffin (a six-year fugitive on the run for murder from 1999 to 2005). In addition to the main prison, La Vista has a distinct Administrative Segregation tower, where inmates are sent for both orientation and solitary confinement.
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