Entry No. 45 — the Durango file — filed under: haunted
Rico Mine Shaft Inn
The hotel manager refuses to sleep here alone — and she lives in the third-floor apartment where Zach, a former mining-company bookkeeper, is said to have died after an embezzlement accusation. She's reported beds disheveled overnight, coffee filters launching across the room, and the stereo cranking itself up, all traced to the floor where Zach reportedly spent his last days. The inn itself is a genuine 1890s-era miner's boarding house on Rico's two-block main street, population 172, where the nearest traffic light is an hour away.
The story
Rico sits on Colorado Highway 145 about 25 miles south of Telluride, perched on a narrow strip of land where the nearest traffic light is an hour away. On Glasgow Avenue—a main street that spans just two blocks—the Rico Mine Shaft Inn stands as a direct line back to the 1890s, when it served as a boarding house for local silver miners pulling shifts out of the San Juan Mountains.
The history here isn't just trapped in the floorboards; it actively disrupts the night. Local account points to Zach, a former mining-company bookkeeper who died in the inn's third-floor apartment following an accusation of embezzlement. The hotel manager refuses to sleep in the building alone, citing years of odd occurrences strictly linked to Zach's former quarters: stereos cranking themselves up to full volume, coffee filters mysteriously launching across the room, and guest beds found thoroughly disheveled overnight.
What it's like
Arriving at 20 S Glasgow Avenue puts you squarely in a quiet, high-altitude mountain town where evening sets in fast and hard. The inn feels like a genuine piece of 19th-century history rather than a polished resort. You can park in the free on-site lot, take a quiet walk down Glasgow Avenue at dusk, and head upstairs to see if the third floor lives up to its reputation. If you are driving in during the winter months, check CDOT road reports beforehand, as CO-145 winds through steep mountain passes.
The move: Book a third-floor room, walk the near-empty main street at dusk, then dare each other to sleep through whatever Zach has planned for the night.
📍 Before you go Free on-site parking. Rico sits on CO-145 about 25 miles south of Telluride — the road is paved but winding through mountain terrain; check CDOT for winter conditions before going. Dogs welcome in guest rooms.
- 📍 Rico
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 20 S Glasgow Ave, Rico, CO 81332
Hours: Added 2026-06-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Geyser Spring Trail — Hike to Colorado's only active geyser seven miles away before heading into Rico for the evening.
- Dunton Hot Springs — Soak at a restored 1885 ghost town saloon six miles over the mountain pass before spending the night at the inn.
- Graysill Mine — Explore the high-altitude uranium mine ruins nearby to round out your tour of San Juan mining history.
Good to know
Where is the Rico Mine Shaft Inn located?
It is located at 20 S Glasgow Ave in Rico, Colorado, approximately 25 miles south of Telluride along CO-145.
Who is rumored to haunt the inn?
The stories center on Zach, an 1890s mining-company bookkeeper who died in the third-floor apartment after being accused of embezzlement.
Are pets allowed at the inn?
Yes, dogs are welcome in guest rooms.
Is there parking on site?
Yes, the property offers free on-site parking for guests.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: hauntedcolorado.net · colorado.com · uncovercolorado.com · Yelp
last checked: 2026-06-21