Oct. 20, 2014
Kyle Guthrie
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Colorado Springs and Denver feature several prominent haunted houses for those looking to get their heart pumping.
UCCS students have their pick of where to get the chills on weekend nights in both Colorado Springs and Denver. Warning: The listed locations are adult themed and gory.
Haunted Mines (Colorado Springs):
The Colorado Springs Haunted Mines tour, located on 225 N. Gate Blvd., has been rated number one in the state by milehighhaunts.com, a site dedicated to rating haunted houses in the area.
The mines feature improvisational actors to fill out their creature rosters and a terrifying elevator ride that has contributed to its reviews. Tickets for the Haunted Mines cost $18 for weekdays and $20 for weekends.
Connoisseurs of haunted houses should be aware that while the Haunted Mines received top reviews and accolades it is somewhat physically demanding, with activities that include a rock wall to climb.
Haunted Mines is closed Monday and Tuesday; open from 7-10 p.m. on Wednesday; 7-11:30 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday. The mines is open through Nov. 1.
Ghouls Gulch/Sanitarium 3-D (Colorado Springs):
This decade old fi xture of local haunted houses has been making a big impact with their inventive use of special effects and props. The Ghouls Gulch haunted house excels at their dizzying effects and well designed actor makeups.
They charge $26 for general admission. As an added bonus the location also offers a “lights on” tour where fans can view the haunt in a more passive mode to see how the effects are created.
Ghouls Gulch is located on 3910 Palmer Park Blvd. and is open Thursday through Sunday from 7-11 p.m. and will continue until Nov. 1.
Hellscream Haunted House (Colorado Springs):
Hellscream Haunted House has won “Best Haunted House in Colorado Springs” in several years according to the Gazette Scream Team, a group of haunted house critics from The Gazette.
The Hellscream Haunted House prides itself on its ambiance and decorative location, presenting a massive scene of horror from start to finish. It also touts an impressive collection of character actors such as “Doug the Digger” and “Stitches the Clown.”
General admission is $18. Hellscream Haunted House can be found on 3021 Hancock Ave. and runs from 6:30-10 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday and from 6:30-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night. Hellscream Haunted House will be open through Nov. 8.
City of the Dead (Denver):
Recently voted “Best Haunted House in Denver” by hauntedratings.com, this popular haunt has been gaining a lot of attention due to its proximity to the city and its three attractions located in one area.
The attraction features a carnival themed horror gaming section, a zombie themed haunted house, and other attractions that are sure to be worth the cost of $23 per ticket.
City of the Dead will run until Nov. 1. It is open from 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. From Oct. 26-30 the attraction will be open from 7-10 p.m. City of the Dead is located at 7007 E. 88th Ave. in Denver.
Primitive Fear/Asylum (Denver):
A somewhat innovative two part haunted house, the Primitive Fear attraction asks participants to actively engage in the story by acting like the undead “to fit in and survive” the ordeal at hand.
Once the survivors make it through this city of the undead, they are then thrown into The Asylum portion of the haunted house where participants are forced to question their sanity in a cleverly written storyline.
A plain and boring entrance detracts from the overall experience, but the innovative aspect helps make up for it once entering the attraction for $25.
Primitive Fear is located on 5155 E 64th Ave. and will remain open through Nov. 2.
Primitive Fear and Asylum will be open from 7-10 p.m. until Oct. 23. Then it will be open from 7 p.m. to midnight for Oct. 24 and 25.