Can You Legally Live in a Colorado Ghost Town?

Colorado's rich mining history has produced much more than precious metals and minerals over the years as the state is currently home to countless abandoned ghost towns.

Read More: A Guide to Colorado's Ghost Towns |

While many of the state's ghost towns are off-limits to the public due to trespassing laws, contamination, and other safety factors, some of them are well-maintained and encourage visitors.

Another thing that Colorado is, unfortunately, becoming known for is the state's rising cost of living - a sad reality that has resulted in multi-family living situations, necessary downgrades in overall quality of life, and even often forces Coloradans to move out of state.

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The crisis for those who struggle to afford rent has undoubtedly conjured up thoughts of living off-grid, and why wouldn't one of Colorado's ghost towns work as a viable option for those unable to pay to live? Well, as simple of a solution as that sounds, it's definitely not that easy.

Why Wouldn't You be Able to Live in a Colorado Ghost Town?

While settling into an old, abandoned building may seem like quite the bargain for someone with nowhere to stay, even ghost towns are typically privately owned, and entering the property is technically a crime.

Even publically owned ghost towns are inaccessible without permission and entering the premises can still be considered trespassing.

Check out more of what the Colorado ghost towns' laws say regarding the matter here, as well as zoning and land use codes here.