Denver's golden-domed capitol building completed in 1894 features a 24-karat gold-plated dome and marks the exact elevation of one mile above sea level at Step 13 on the west entrance stairs. Free guided tours available weekdays.
The Colorado State Capitol, situated at 200 East Colfax Avenue in Denver at the eastern edge of Civic Center Park, is the seat of Colorado state government and one of the most architecturally distinguished public buildings in the American West. Construction began in 1886 and the structure was substantially completed by 1894, though interior decorative work continued for several additional decades. The building was designed by Elijah E. Myers in the Neoclassical style, drawing influence from the United States Capitol in Washington while incorporating distinctly Colorado materials and iconography.
The gold dome, visible from much of Denver, is clad in 24-karat gold leaf in honor of Colorado's gold-mining heritage. The dome was most recently re-gilded in 2013 using approximately 65 ounces of gold donated by Colorado mining interests and the Colorado Gold Endowment Fund. The structure rises 272 feet from grade to the lantern at the top — slightly shorter than the US Capitol dome. The dome interior is accessible via a narrow spiral staircase that emerges onto an exterior observation gallery with sweeping views across Denver and the Front Range when available.
The building's interior materials are remarkable for their Colorado provenance. The wainscoting throughout the Senate and House chambers consists of rose onyx, a translucent pinkish stone quarried from a deposit near Beulah, Colorado — a deposit that was completely exhausted during the capitol's construction and no longer exists anywhere in the world. This material is genuinely irreplaceable and appears in no other building. Sixteen murals in the rotunda and stairwells, painted by artists including Charles Scheyvogel and Allen True, depict scenes from Colorado's mining, ranching, and Indigenous history.
Step 13 on the west entrance staircase bears a stone disk marking the elevation of exactly 5,280 feet — one mile above sea level — the factual origin of Denver's famous "Mile High City" designation. A second brass marker was added in 2003 following GPS measurements. Both markers attract constant photography. Free guided tours run weekdays and are conducted by knowledgeable legislative docents covering architecture, history, and political function.
Good to know
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 7:30AM-5PM; Tours 10AM-3PM Mon-Fri
- Best time
- Morning
- Best for
- history enthusiasts, families, budget travelers, photographers
Location
200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203
39.7392, -104.9842 View on map
Highlights
- 24-karat gold-plated dome visible across Denver, most recently re-gilded in 2013 using Colorado gold
- Step 13 on the west entrance marks the exact one-mile elevation above sea level — Denver's origin as "The Mile High City"
- Rose onyx wainscoting — quarried from a Colorado deposit now completely exhausted and found nowhere else on Earth
- Sixteen historical murals in the rotunda and stairwells depicting Colorado's mining, ranching, and Indigenous history
- Free guided weekday tours led by legislative docents covering architecture, history, and government function
Tips for visiting
- Step 13 on the west entrance is exactly one mile high - great photo opportunity
- Dome tours (when available) offer panoramic Denver and mountain views
- The rose onyx wainscoting inside is remarkable - quarried in Colorado
When to visit
Weekday mornings between 10 AM and noon are the quietest period for tours, before tour groups from schools and civic organizations arrive. The building is least crowded in late summer and fall when the legislative session is not in progress. The exterior dome glows warmly in late-afternoon sun — worth a look from Civic Center Park even outside tour hours.
Accessibility
The main building entrance is accessible via a ramp on the east side of the building. Elevators connect all publicly accessible floors including the main legislative chambers. The narrow spiral staircase to the dome observation gallery is not accessible for wheelchair users or visitors with mobility limitations. Accessible parking is available on Colfax Avenue and in the Civic Center parking garage.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Colorado State Capitol free to visit?
Yes — tours of the building's interior are free and run on weekdays during legislative session and throughout the year. Security screening is required at the entrance. The building is closed on weekends and state holidays, though the exterior and grounds of Civic Center Park are accessible at all times.
Can visitors access the dome for the view?
Dome tours are offered periodically and allow access to the exterior observation gallery via a narrow spiral staircase, providing panoramic views of Denver, the Front Range, and on clear days the distant summits of the Rocky Mountains. Availability varies by legislative calendar and building maintenance schedules; the visitor services office can confirm current access.
How long does a capitol tour take?
Standard guided tours run approximately 45 minutes to one hour and cover the main rotunda, House and Senate chambers, and the rose onyx interior. Self-guided visits to the publicly accessible areas can be completed in 30 to 45 minutes. Dome tours when offered add an additional 30 minutes.