Travel Guides

Colorado State Capitol Guide: My First Visit to This Denver Landmark

by Katelynn Kellogg

Visiting the Colorado State Capitol in July 2025 was one of those travel surprises that completely caught me off guard. It’s the kind of place that always pops up on “things you should do in Denver” lists, but honestly, it wasn’t something I was overly excited about. Still, I decided to check it out, and I’m so glad I did. The stunning architecture, rich history, and panoramic views of Denver from the top were incredible! If you’re planning your own trip, this Colorado State Capitol guide will help you make your visit easy and unforgettable.

The Denver Capitol Building Exterior with Gold Dome on top. Plaque in front about the Capitol.

If you’re like me and tend to skip over attractions that feel “too touristy,” let me stop you right there—this one is absolutely worth it. In this Colorado State Capitol guide, I’ll share what to expect when you visit, insider tips for joining a tour, and a few things I wish I’d known before stepping inside this stunning piece of Colorado history.

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🗺️ Getting to the Colorado State Capitol Building

The Colorado State Capitol Building is right in downtown Denver, making it super easy to reach whether you’re walking, driving, or using public transit. Its physical location is 200 E. Colfax Avenue, directly across from the Civic Center Park. If you’re staying downtown, you can easily walk to the Capitol Building in 15 minutes or less from most major hotels.

INSIDER TIP: The Capitol Building is on a bit of a hill, so walking up all the steps to the wrong set of doors, as I did, can exhaust you pretty quickly. You will want to enter the building on the North side, near E. Colfax Ave. The ADA entrance is on the South side of the building, near E. 14th Ave.
I, quite literally, walked around the entire building and wore myself out walking up all the stairs trying to find the entrance.

If visiting with a vehicle, there is a small paid lot at the Capitol building. There’s also metered street parking nearby and a parking garage across the street on the North side of the building.

Denver public transport is also an excellent option. The RTD bus and light rail have a stop within a block of the Capitol building at Civic Center Station. You’ll see the shining gold dome of the Capitol Building from the stop.

Stairway to the Denver Capitol Building

Tour Details & Logistics

When is the Colorado State Capitol open?

  • The building is open to freely roam around Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Free guided tours are offered on the hour between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
    • Tours are approximately 45 minutes to an hour and include access to the dome observation area (a 99-step climb, non-ADA accessible).

Do I need a reservation?

  • For groups of 10 or more, a reservation is required and can be made up to one year in advance. If accommodations are needed, reservations are preferred as well.
  • If you’re visiting solo or in a small group, you can typically just show up. Tours are first-come, first-served, capped at 30 people per tour.
Colorado State Capitol building staircase with open dome above.

Entry and security

There are two public entrances to the Colorado State Capitol. The main entrance is on the north side, while the ADA-accessible entrance is on the south side UNDER the stairway. <– That is quite confusing if you’ve never been there before! Doors on the east and west sides of the building look inviting, but they’re permanently locked.

I actually entered through the south ADA entrance, and there wasn’t any visible security there, just a quick walk in and an elevator ride up to the main floor. However, if you go through the main entrance, you’ll find metal detectors and a security attendant nearby. When I visited, the staff was friendly but pretty hands-off. They were there if needed, but I didn’t see them interact with any of the guests besides a smile and a hello.

*For the most up-to-date hours and information, visit the Colorado State Capitol website.

Colorado State Capitol Building Main Foyer - American flag hangs over off a pillar and you can see all three floors above.

What You’ll See on the Tour

Interior Highlights

The free guided tour is easily the best way to experience the Capitol. You’ll explore grand chambers, the impressive rotunda, and Brown’s Attic, an exhibit area that tells the building’s story. The stained glass windows, presidential murals, and pillars made of Colorado Rose Onyx are a must-see. They are meticulously crafted and beautiful.

If you arrive early and want to explore on your own and only take the tour when they head up to the dome, you’re more than welcome to do that as well.

State Meeting Room with stained glass windows throughout. Seating below and up on a balcony.

The highlight, of course, is the climb to the dome. It’s a bit of a workout climbing the steep, spiral staircase, but the panoramic view of Denver and the Rocky Mountains makes it worth every step.

Dome & Observation Deck

After exploring the main halls of the Capitol building, don’t miss the free guided tour up to the dome and observation deck. It was easily my favorite part of my entire visit.

The tour starts by taking a beautifully crafted elevator up to a higher floor, where the access door is located for Brown’s Attic. At this point, you should be prepared to take some stairs. Brown’s Attic is a beautiful space full of interesting history and architectural charm. This part of the building showcases original construction drawings, a small-scale model of the Capitol, and tons of interesting facts about Colorado and U.S. politics as well as the building’s design and upkeep. It’s a unique peek behind the scenes of how the Capitol building came to be.

Golden looking Elevator door with incredible etched designs.
Elevator doors

From there, a guide leads you through a narrow, steep staircase to reach the dome itself. Once at the top, you’re free to wander the observation deck and take in the incredible 360° views of Denver. Along the outer rim, you’ll find plaques pointing out major landmarks and nearby mountain peaks. It’s a fun way to orient yourself with the city skyline.

It was a bit windy during my visit, and visibility wasn’t perfect, but still amazing. On clear days, when there’s less cloud cover, you can even spot the snow-covered Rocky Mountains in the distance!

Colorado State Capitol Guide - direction to Mt. Evans on a plaque
View from Colorado State Capital Observation Deck
Colorado State Capitol Guide - direction to Pike's Peak on a plaque

Last Stop on the Colorado State Capitol Guide

On your way out, stop at the Mile High Marker on the west steps. It’s a marking etched into the stairs that marks the elevation of exactly one mile (5,280 ft) above sea level. Although not as beautiful or significant as the inner workings of the building, it’s definitely unique and a fun photo op.

During my visit, there was an event happening on the west side of the building, so I wasn’t able to get up to the stairs to get my photo.

Mile High Marker etched into the stairs of the Colorado State Capitol Building steps signifying exact elevation of 1 mile.
Photo from Pexels by: Simple Soul Photogrphy

Common Questions (Colorado State Capitol Guide Q&A)

How much does it cost?

Admission to the Capitol building, as well as the building tours, is completely free and open to the public during business hours.

Is photography allowed?

Yes, non-flash photography is allowed throughout the building and on the tours.

Is the dome accessible to everyone?

No, unfortunately, the dome is not ADA accessible. To reach the dome, via the free tour, you must climb a substantial number of steep stairs – there is no elevator access.

How long should I budget?

You can spend as little or as much time as you’d like exploring the building, but I would say about an hour and a half would suffice with the Dome tour. If you’re unable to join a Dome tour, an hour is sufficient.

Plaque designating the Colorado State Capitol Building as a Historic Landmark

Reflections from My July Visit

My visit to the Colorado State Capitol started off a little rocky. It was the middle of July, the sun was blazing, and I couldn’t for the life of me find the right entrance. I started on the west side and made my way counterclockwise and kept running into locked doors. By the time I finally made it in inside, I was sweaty, tired, and a little grumpy.

Thankfully, things turned around pretty quickly once I found the restroom, splashed some water on my face, and took a few minutes to sit down. Learning that the Capitol tour was completely free was also a huge bonus. I hadn’t done much research ahead of time, so I didn’t realize you can only reach the dome by taking a tour, and it didn’t cost a thing!

Once I started exploring, I was blown away by the building’s beauty. The mix of materials, intricate details on each surface, and the colorful stonework make it feel alive. I also lucked out during my visit, and there weren’t many other people visiting that afternoon at all, so I felt like I could take my time exploring and not be in anyone’s way. My tour group to the dome had only six people, which made the experience even better.

By the end of my visit, I was completely won over. What started as a sweaty, slightly frustrating afternoon visit turned into one of my favorite places in Denver. I’m 100% a sucker for a view. If you’re planning your own visit, this Colorado State Capitol Guide should help you make the most of it without doing quite as many laps around the building as I did!

Colorado State Capitol Guide - Take in this 360 view of the city skyline from the observation deck.

Final Thoughts & Travel Tips

  • Use the North Entrance: The Northside entrance is the main entrance to the building. All other doors, except the ADA entrance on the Southside, are locked.
  • Talk to your guide: They often drop little-known facts that don’t make it into brochures.
  • Stay for the dome: Even if stairs aren’t your favorite, the view rewards every step.
  • Explore nearby: The Capitol sits in Denver’s civic core. The Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, and Civic Center Park are all walkable.
  • Don’t rush: Give yourself time after the tour to wander halls, read plaques, or revisit favorite corners.

I’m working on a whole series of things to do in Denver, CO and they’ll all be posted on my Colorado page!

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The Colorado State Capitol Building, featuring its iconic gold dome, surrounded by lush greenery and visitors at the entrance.
A view of the Colorado State Capitol building with its iconic gold dome, framed by greenery and steps leading up to the entrance.