There Are 700 Ghost Towns In Colorado, And Ron Ruhoff Has Visited Many Of Them

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Photo: St Elmo Ghost Town
A photo of Main Street in St. Elmo, a well-preserved Colorado ghost town located between Gunnison and Salida.

The postcard picture of the typical ghost town usually includes decrepit storefronts lining a deserted Main Street, and dusty miner's shacks with squeaky doors.

But some are much bleaker: empty prairies where the town once stood.

Ghost towns of all kinds fascinate Ron Ruhoff, one of the original founders of the Ghost Town Club of Colorado 60 years ago. Ruhoff talked to Colorado Matters about a few of Colorado's 700 ghost towns, and how his club has helped preserve a few of the ones still standing.