3 Weird Roadside Attractions in Colorado
Photo: Brian Bennett
Traveling through the Centennial State can be quite breathtaking, thanks to the Rocky Mountains cascading across the skyline. Between the bustling cities of Denver and Colorado Springs, there are many unique roadside attractions to discover. Here are three of the weirdest things you’ll see while driving through Colorado.
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Blucifer
Photo: Mike Sinko
Just as you turn from Peña Blvd towards the terminals at the Denver International Airport, you may get distracted by a large, blue horse statue. The somewhat disturbing figure is officially called Blue Mustang, but locals call it Blucifer because of its demonic, red glowing eyes and spooky background. Artist Luis Jiménez was commissioned to create the piece of public art, to be debuted in 2008. Unfortunately, a section of the 9,000-pound sculpture fell on Jiménez in 2006, severing an artery in his leg, which led to his death. The statue was eventually completed, but not before rumors of curses and conspiracies were spread among locals.
Lee Maxwell Washing Machine Museum
Photo: Joe Mabel
Retired electrical engineering professor Lee Maxwell taught at Colorado State University for many years, but his most unique title is that of “foremost expert on vintage washing machines in the U.S.” Maxwell has over 1,400 antique washing machines at his museum in Eaton, with some dating as far back as the 1800s. To keep them in good shape, Maxwell disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled almost all of the machines; photos of this process can be found on his website. However, if you’re planning on visiting, you’ll be able to see the machines up close in the 12,000-square-foot facility.
Baldpate Inn Key Collection
Photo: Nora Lockshin
In 1913, author Earl Derr Biggers released the mystery novel “Seven Keys to Baldpate,” in which the guests of a hotel think they have the only key, even though the owner each gave them separate keys. At the real hotel, the owners gave each visitor their own key. But when metal became too expensive during World War I, the regular guests of the inn started a tradition of giving keys back to the inn, sort of as a competition. Today, the inn has a collection of more than 20,000 keys from all over the globe, including some from Westminster Abbey, Mozart’s wine cellar, and even the Pentagon.
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