The Colorado State Capitol is located in Denver's Civic Center area at 200 East Colfax Avenue and is easily accessible by public transportation. It is just one block southeast of Civic Center Station — one of Denver's busiest bus transit centers, covering 18 routes.
Dive into the past of Denver and learn more about the iconic State Capitol Building with the self-guided audio tour Denver in 2 Hours: a Historical Walk through the Mile High City. Learn how Denver became the capital of Colorado and discover its most iconic landmarks while exploring the city at your own pace.
The Colorado State Capitol is open Monday through Friday from 07:30 AM to 05:00 PM. The Capitol is closed on weekends and public holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, Frances Xavier Cabrini Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
The Capitol offers free guided tours four times daily: at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00, and 01:00 PM. If you want to join one of them, get to the Capitol a bit earlier because the tours are limited to 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Colorado State Capitol houses the most influential branches of the state government, including the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Office of the Governor. It is a great place to learn more about Colorado's history. The Capitol's stained-glass windows depict people and events related to the state's past, and the dome consists of actual gold leaf commemorating the Colorado Gold Rush.
The building, with its iconic dome, resembles the nation's Capitol in Washington, D.C. but features unique details and materials. The interior is adorned with unique rose onyx discovered in Colorado and has never been found anywhere else in the world. You can also admire the inner dome — the rotunda ceiling, above which is built the gilded exterior dome.
As part of a group tour provided by the Capitol, you can climb 99 steps to the dome observation area. It may be challenging, but when you arrive at the observation deck, you can enjoy the 360-degree view of downtown Denver and see the Rocky Mountains. Throughout the deck, there are unique plaques pointing to notable mountain peaks.
The Colorado State Capitol is free to visit. Group tours offered by the Capitol are also free of charge.