Guide to Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Preservation, exploration and commemoration, a glimpse into Colorado Springs’s history through the lens of those who laid the foundation.
This is a fantastic museum. The staff goes above and beyond to make sure your visit is special. The exhibits are very well restored and the building is beautiful.Anthony Styles-Clark | Google Reviews
What is the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum?
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is a time capsule of the Pikes Peak region, located inside the 1903 El Paso County Courthouse. The free, multi-story museum is a deep dive into the region from multiple perspectives, including local writers, artists, movements and native communities.
The museum started in the late 19th century and has been a long-term pillar in the community as a trusted preservationist of our community and culture. Perhaps the best part of the Pioneers Museum is its continued expansion. Over the years, more and more exhibits have opened, and with every addition, a new light shines on our past, showcasing a new heart of culture and hub of identity.
When to visit the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum?
Days and Times
Tuesday - Sunday | 10 AM - 5 PM
Monday | CLOSED
The museum does observe all city holidays and is closed on the following dates:
- June 19 – Juneteenth
- July 4 – Independence Day
- November 11 – Veterans’ Day
- November 26 – Thanksgiving Day
- November 27 – Day after Thanksgiving
- December 24 – Christmas Eve
- December 25 – Christmas Day
Admission
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is free! The museum is happy to present its collections to visitors free of charge, making it the perfect budget-friendly addition to a day trip or weekend getaway.
Donations are encouraged! After stopping by, consider donating to the museum so it can continue its great work.
This is a great little gem in the Springs. First of all, the building itself is beautiful - a former courthouse that was going to be torn down. Luckily, it was preserved and houses the history of the Springs. So many interesting exhibits and well done with personal stories of those who lived here and influenced the city's growth.Alicia91401 | TripAdvisor
What's on Display?
You’ll never experience a history museum like our Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. The archive digs deep into our history through the lens of our culture that is both niche and necessary in understanding the Pikes Peak region.
The museum has 12 exhibits displaying stories that you won’t find in your history books, discovered and presented by our curators and historians. As the museum continues its efforts in preserving our local history, you’ll find more and more presentations of histories untold.
Artifacts and Art
The Story of Us
This exhibit allows you to explore the region in great detail from A to Z! Using technology that is seamlessly integrated into the museum’s layout, choose a letter, and read through items, people, accounts and changes to the region categorized under that letter.
COS@150
Opened in 2021, 150 years after Colorado Springs was established, the museum opened a new collection that reflects the many eras of the town. Featuring 150 objects, the exhibit moves visitors through the years in decades with stories narrating the progress of the region.
City of Sunshine
Starting in the late 1800s, Colorado Springs was promoted as a health-based destination and soon became a hub of medical aid and community support for those diagnosed with tuberculosis. This collection features stories of those who moved to the region for medical relief and artifacts from the era.
From Paris to the Plains
Artist Artus Van Briggle’s pottery and tile works are on full display within the museum’s halls, highlighting a pocket of French-inspired artwork in the plains. Like many, the artist — who had studied in France — had moved to Colorado Springs following his tuberculosis diagnosis, spending his remaining years in the Pikes Peak region.
50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity
Coming face-to-face with the fact that only 8% of works collected by museums are made by women, the CSPM dedicated an entire hall to female artists in the area. Showcasing dozens of paintings, woodwork, jewelry and more, the collection amplifies the voices and talents of the women in the Pikes Peak region.
People and Community
Freedom to Thrive
The CSPM platforms local activists and advocates with a collection of their personal stories on their missions, efforts in our area, changes and progress made throughout the years and a call to visitors to strive for equality for all of Pikes Peak’s residents.
Please note: this exhibit will open on Colorado Day, August 1, 2026.
Una Familia Grande
For 20 years, the Conejos Neighborhood Project housed dozens of families that relied on each other to fight against indifference and build community when the greater area rejected them. This segment of the museum has the residents of the region tell you their story through firsthand accounts and artifacts recovered from the area before the neighborhood was torn down.
Until Forever Comes
This powerful exhibit is the result of five years of consultation with the three Nuuciu (Ute) tribes: the Southern Ute; Ute Mountain Ute; and Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation — and reflects their deep and ongoing connections to the Pikes Peak region.Fannie Mae Duncan
As racial discrimination ran rampant in Colorado Springs during the Jim Crow era, Fannie Mae Duncan took a stance against the hatred, created the first integrated club in Colorado Springs and demanded change while serving her community through her philanthropic efforts. Her Cotton Club became a hotspot in town and a hub for black entertainers, including Duke Ellington and Etta James. This exhibition celebrates Duncan from her business to her giving nature and her fight for equality.
Colorado Nick: A Legacy of Tattoo Art in Colorado Springs
Colorado Nick was a famous tattoo artist in the early years of tattooing in the United States. This collection brings guests through his story, showcasing his early designs, development, tattooing history and the colorful culture he brought to the scene.
A Home of One’s Own
Colorado’s own Helen Hunt Jackson was a prolific writer and activist of her time, writing the popularized Ramona and defending the indigenous community of Colorado Springs. The CSPM’s floor on the author features a large reconstruction of three rooms from Jackson’s house as well as artifacts, writings and more for visitors to peruse.
Such a neat little museum. So much packed in here and free admission. Plenty of spots for kids to get hands on learning. Definitely recommend checking it out if you're in Colorado Springs!Christina Jozwiak | Google Reviews
Can’t attend in person? The Museum’s website has detailed images, information and explanations of every piece in its collections searchable online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum kid-friendly?
Yes, the Pioneers Museum is kid-friendly. Not only are the exhibits accessible and family-friendly, but the museum also has a play and activities center for children! The Camping in the Rockies space features interactive camping equipment for children to practice and play with.
What are the reviews of Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum like?
The museum hosts an overall rating of 4.7 stars on Google Reviews and Yelp and 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor.
Is the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum accessible?
Yes, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum has a series of accessibility accommodations to welcome all visitors.
- Ramp to the south side entrance
- An indoor elevator with access to every floor
- On-site wheelchairs available
- Wheelchair accessible bathrooms are available on the first floor
- LOOP system for those who require a hearing aid
Is there parking near the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum?
There is metered street parking, and the museum is not far from the parking garage at Nevada & Colorado Avenue (130 S Nevada Ave).
What is the history of the building housing the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum?
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is located in what used to be the 1903 El Paso County Courthouse. The museum itself dates back to before the courthouse, as a local organization started sourcing and preserving parts of the Pikes Peak region’s history in 1896, before placing their collection on display in the halls of the courthouse.
These displays weren’t anything near as large as the museum’s current exhibits, but still stood as a testament to the people who had helped form the region in its early stages. The building remained a courthouse for 70 years before it was abandoned. The CSPM saw this as an opportunity. In 1979, the organization moved into the historic building and began repairing it, opening its doors for locals and visitors to learn, explore, and discover.
Where is there to eat near the Pioneers Museum?
- Streetcar250 | 520 S Tejon St
- Urban Egg | 28B S Tejon St
- Red Gravy - Italian Bistro | 23 S Tejon St
- C.O.A.T.I. | 514 S Tejon St
- Shuga’s | 702 S. Cascade Ave.
Can I stay near the museum?
The CSPM is surrounded by hotels and motels, perfect for those who want to stay nearby. Turning your visit into a stay gives you the chance to take a historic tour, dine on the local cuisine you’ll find in the area, and connect with the community through events.
The following hotels are all within a 5-minute walking distance of the museum:
- Element Colorado Springs Downtown | 55 E Costilla St
- Springhill Suites Colorado Springs Downtown | 402 S Tejon St
- The Mining Exchange Hotel | 8 S Nevada Ave
- Kinship Landing | 415 S Nevada Ave
We have more history for you to explore. Turn your visit into a long stay, and let us help with the planning by visiting our Plan Your Trip tool.
