The Museum of Colorado Prisons, a former women's prison in Cañon City, is reputedly haunted by the spirits of former inmates. Described as both mischievous and malevolent, these entities reportedly engage in everything from playful pranks to startling physical contact. The disembodied sounds of pianos playing have been heard, even though the pianos are not functional. Visitors and staff also report hearing footsteps and cell doors slamming shut. Staff members have arrived to find appliances like refrigerators and ovens mysteriously opened overnight. A single book is also known to have repeatedly fallen off a shelf in the same spot. A dark, ominous shadow figure with green eyes has been seen in the cleaning closet, reportedly scaring a staff member into running out of the building. Shadowy figures of inmates have also been spotted during tours. Some visitors and staff have reported being grabbed, pushed, or having their hair pulled by an unseen force. Unexplained muddy footprints and shoe impressions have been found in the building, despite the lack of logical explanation for their presence. The crying woman of Cell 18: Even while the prison was still operational, inmates would complain to the warden about the sound of a woman crying in Cell 18, even when it was empty. This story was documented by former Warden Wayne Patterson. The undone lock: A tour guest once rattled a lock on an archives room door. After they walked away, they heard a loud banging and returned to find the lock undone. The spirit of an inmate named "Shortly," who is said to have been hanged with a noose, is believed to reside in the museum. Some of the historical artifacts, such as the noose and gas chamber, are said to be particularly active. A spirit named "Walter" has reportedly communicated with a staff member, telling them that he "killed three kids".