Colorado is widely known for its mountains and outdoor adventures, but some of its most intriguing stories are written in stone. Historic cemeteries across the state offer travelers a different way to explore local history, culture, and architecture, from the Front Range plains to high-altitude mining towns. This guide focuses on several notable burial grounds, including sites in Broomfield County, El Paso County, Lake County, and beyond.
Why Visit Cemeteries When Traveling in Colorado?
Cemetery tourism has become increasingly popular among travelers who enjoy local history, genealogy, architecture, and photography. In Colorado, these quiet spaces provide insight into waves of migration, mining booms, military history, religious traditions, and the everyday lives of early settlers. They are also peaceful places to pause between more typical sightseeing stops.
Broomfield County’s Lakeview Cemetery: A Window into Early Community Life
Lakeview Cemetery in Broomfield County, with burials dating up to the mid-20th century, gives visitors a sense of how this Front Range community evolved from rural settlement to growing city. Walking among the older graves, travelers can notice family plots, modest markers from agricultural families, and occasional ornate stones that hint at local leaders or prosperous merchants.
For travelers staying in the greater Denver–Boulder–Broomfield corridor, Lakeview Cemetery is an easy side trip that adds historical depth to an itinerary often focused on breweries, shopping, and mountain views. The relatively compact grounds make it suitable for a short, reflective walk before or after exploring nearby parks and cultural sites.
El Paso County: Historic Resting Places Around Colorado Springs
El Paso County, anchored by Colorado Springs, offers a surprising variety of cemetery sites that reveal the region’s military heritage, frontier past, and evolving civic identity.
Fairview Cemetery: Stories of a Growing Frontier City
Fairview Cemetery is closely tied to the development of Colorado Springs from a health resort and railroad town into a substantial city at the foot of Pikes Peak. Travelers can find the graves of early civic leaders, pioneers, and residents drawn to the area for its climate and economic opportunities.
As you walk through Fairview, note the changing styles of grave markers over time: simple wooden or stone markers in older sections, elaborate Victorian monuments from the city’s boom years, and more modern, understated headstones. These visual cues help visitors trace shifts in taste, wealth, and social customs.
Air Force Academy Cemetery: Honoring Military Service
North of central Colorado Springs, the Air Force Academy Cemetery reflects the region’s strong connection to aviation and military life. Visitors interested in military history will find a different atmosphere here than in older frontier cemeteries: orderly rows of headstones, frequent military insignia, and inscriptions highlighting service and duty.
While exploring the Colorado Springs area, travelers can combine a visit to this cemetery with other nearby military or aviation-themed attractions, creating a deeper understanding of how defense and aerospace have shaped the local landscape and economy.
Lake County’s Hebrew Cemetery in Leadville: High-Altitude Heritage
In Lake County, the historic Hebrew Cemetery in Leadville is a compelling stop for those exploring Colorado’s mining history. Leadville, once one of the world’s most important silver-mining towns, attracted immigrants from many backgrounds, including a significant Jewish community.
The Hebrew Cemetery preserves the memory of merchants, miners, and families who helped build Leadville’s social and economic fabric. Names, languages, and symbols on the stones reflect the cultural diversity of the mining era, while the high-altitude setting underscores the harsh conditions people faced. Travelers who enjoy combining history with scenic drives will appreciate the contrast between tranquil cemetery grounds and the rugged peaks that surround them.
Gravestone Photography and Genealogy Tourism in Colorado
Colorado’s cemeteries have also become important destinations for travelers interested in genealogy and historical research. Many visitors come with old family names, approximate dates, or ancestral stories and hope to connect them with actual grave markers or cemetery records.
Gravestone photography has grown into a popular hobby. Travelers equipped with cameras often focus on documenting older, weathered stones before they deteriorate further. Decorative motifs, epitaphs, and unique carving styles make these sites rewarding subjects for both amateur and professional photographers.
Responsible visitors ensure that they do not disturb stones, lean on fragile monuments, or alter the environment. For genealogical explorers, a quiet, patient approach not only shows respect but also allows time to reflect on the personal stories behind each name.
Researching Local Histories Before You Visit
For travelers planning a cemetery-focused route through Colorado, preparing in advance can enrich the experience. Reading local histories, browsing obituary archives, or checking community historical resources provides context about notable residents, migration patterns, epidemics, and economic shifts that shaped each cemetery.
Arriving armed with a few specific names or time periods to look for—such as early ranchers in Broomfield County, military veterans in El Paso County, or mining-era families in Leadville—turns a simple walk into a kind of historical treasure hunt.
Etiquette and Practical Tips for Cemetery Visits
While cemeteries are open to visitors in many Colorado communities, they remain places of mourning and remembrance. Travelers can help preserve both the atmosphere and the physical condition of these sites by following basic guidelines:
- Stay on existing paths when possible, especially in older sections.
- Avoid touching or leaning on fragile stones and monuments.
- Keep noise low; speak softly and use headphones instead of speakers.
- Visit during daylight hours for safety and respect.
- Ask permission before organizing group tours or photography projects.
Carrying water, sun protection, and good walking shoes is wise, especially in higher-elevation areas such as Lake County, where weather can change quickly and paths may be uneven.
Blending Cemetery Visits with a Wider Colorado Itinerary
Cemetery visits can be woven naturally into broader travel plans across Colorado. In Broomfield County, a short visit to Lakeview Cemetery pairs easily with days spent in nearby urban centers or along the foothills. In El Paso County, travelers can combine visits to Fairview Cemetery or the Air Force Academy Cemetery with trips to iconic sites such as Garden of the Gods or Pikes Peak.
Farther into the mountains, a journey to Leadville and the Hebrew Cemetery can form part of a scenic road trip that includes historic mining routes, alpine lakes, and nearby ski towns. By linking cemeteries to surrounding natural and cultural attractions, travelers gain a fuller picture of how communities evolved in relation to their landscapes.
Seasonal Considerations and Weather
Colorado’s seasons significantly shape the cemetery travel experience. Spring and autumn often provide mild temperatures and striking light for photography, especially when trees change color or early wildflowers appear. In winter, some mountain cemeteries may be difficult to access due to snow, while lowland sites can still be visited with proper cold-weather clothing.
Summer, though popular for general tourism, can bring afternoon thunderstorms, particularly along the Front Range and in the high country. Planning visits for earlier in the day helps travelers avoid sudden weather changes and make the most of cooler morning hours.
Reflecting on the Human Side of Colorado’s History
Travelers often come to Colorado for scenic vistas and outdoor recreation, but cemeteries offer a quieter form of discovery. Each grave marker represents a personal story linked to migration, work, faith, conflict, or family connection. Walking through cemeteries in Broomfield County, El Paso County, and Lake County encourages visitors to consider the lives behind the landscapes—those who farmed the plains, built mountain towns, served in the military, or followed new opportunities west.
By including cemeteries in a travel itinerary, visitors engage with Colorado not only as a destination for adventure but also as a layered historical tapestry shaped by generations of residents and newcomers.