Far from the lights of the Las Vegas Strip, the Rocky Mountains boast a plethora of high-elevation casinos. Some of Colorado’s best casinos can be found in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek, as well as on a couple of American Indian reservations in the southwest.The Centennial State became one of the first to legalize gambling in 1991 (among other things) after Nevada and New Jersey. And now large casino resorts can be found close to Colorado’s biggest cities, including Denver and Colorado Springs.
If you’re thinking of planning a gambling trip that includes more than casinos, like skiing, rafting, or hiking in the wilderness, then you should hit up Colorado. Let’s look at some of the best casinos in Colorado, in no particular order:
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Ameristar Casino Resort — Black Hawk

Opened in 2001, the Ameristar Black Hawk was at one point the largest casino in Colorado, with 5,300 square meters of gaming space, 1,332 slot machines, 16 blackjack tables, and six poker tables. Located in the gambling town of Black Hawk, the resort acts as both a casino and conference resort, with easy access to nearby ski runs and plenty of leisure facilities including a spa, mountaintop recreation park, and even a nightclub.
Guests who book a night in one of the 886 luxury rooms and suites can access the casino via a ski lift, before getting stuck into some gambling, world-class cuisine, and a few drinks to warm up after a cold day on the slopes.
- 111 Richman St, Black Hawk | 720-946-4000 | ameristarblackhawk.com/casino/sportsbook
- Check prices, availability or book Ameristar Casino Resort Spa
Century Casino — Central City

Central City was at one time the gold capital of the world, so it’s apt that visitors can continue to strike it rich in the great selection of casinos. The old Tollgate and Golden Rose casinos joined together to create the Century Casino back in 2006, and the 24/7 gaming spot is now one of the hottest locations in the state for some gambling action.
One of the larger casinos in Colorado, Century Casino & Hotel emulates Red Dolly in that it blends in as an ordinary part of an ordinary mountain town. However, it’s significantly bigger and has a little more to offer inside.
Slots, video poker, table games, craps, and roulette comprise the game selection, and the aesthetic is a little more like the classic image of, say, a Vegas gaming venue (once you’re inside that is). As you can tell by the name, Century Casino & Hotel also offers accommodations – specifically, 26 hotel rooms and an on-site bar and restaurant.
With over 500 slots and video poker terminals, as well as poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette tables, guests have a huge choice of game types and stakes up to $100, followed by some of the famous prime ribs from the Mid City Grill. Make sure you sign up for a casino club card, as you’ll get certain perks on the gaming floor, as well as a few drinks and nibbles without having to pay any extra.
- 102 Main St, Central City | 303-582-5050 | cnty.com/central-city
- Check prices, availability or book Century Casino Central City
Ute Mountain Casino — Towaoc

A popular place to gamble, Towaoc is situated on a Ute Indian Reservation in Southwest Colorado. The town is home to the Ute Mountain Casino, attracting thrill-seekers from all over the region. The closest other Colorado town is Cortez, to the north on CO-491 for about fifteen minutes.
The casino has been in business for over 30 years. Play includes bingo, slots, and a range of table games. Also on-site, Ute Mountain Sportsbook is one of the top places to bet on sports in the state. It’s open five days per week, with kiosks operating on closed days.
Accommodations include hotel rooms and an RV Park. Kuchu’s Restaurant cooks breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days per week right inside the casino.
- 3 Weeminuche Drive, Towaoc | 800-258-8007 | utemountaincasino.com
- Check prices, availability or book Ute Mountain Casino
Double Eagle Hotel & Casino — Cripple Creek

If you fancy staying in a nice hotel with its built-in casino, then the Double Eagle is a great option. Opened in 1996, the Double Eagle was at one point the largest casino in Cripple Creek. Technically, you’ll find all of the hotel’s games in the Gold Creek Casino, which is attached to the building – so you won’t need to venture out into the cold to get some gambling in.
The main floor provides four live blackjack tables, seven poker tables, and lively craps and roulette tables that get pretty busy on a weekend. There are also around 160 slot machines scattered throughout the casino, too, including the latest video poker machines. One thing you’ll notice about the Double Eagle however are the active promotions, with freebies and spot prizes given away to gamblers who take part in various contests.
Rooms range from reasonable to extravagant suites, so you can enjoy Vegas-style lavishness up in the mountains if you feel like it. This one is great if you like your casinos lively, and with plenty of winning options away from the tables.
- 442 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek | 719-689-5000 | decasino.com
- Check prices, availability or book Double Eagle Hotel & Casino
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino — Cripple Creek

The biggest (and highest) casino in Cripple Creek is the Golden Nugget, and the action doesn’t get much better than the 24/7 gaming floor. Guests can get stuck into poker, roulette, Texas Hold ‘Em, blackjack, and craps, and there are plenty of discounts and promotions, including a $10,000 grand prize for club card holders (just sign up when you arrive).
There’s also the Cherry Pit and exclusive gaming area that provides premium liquor alongside the gaming experience, perfect for gamblers who want a bit of glitz and glamour on their casino visit.
- 119 N Fifth St, Cripple Creek | 719-244-9700 | goldennugget.com/cripple-creek
- Check prices, availability or book Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino
Red Dolly Casino — Black Hawk

Billing itself as Black Hawk’s oldest and friendliest casino, where everyone knows your name, Red Dolly is a different kind of place than most major casinos. Putting out the vibe of a simple mountain town attraction, it’s been operational since 1992 and boasts many employees who have been working there for a decade or more.
As for gaming, the focus at the Red Dolly is on slots, with over 120 of the most popular titles available for play. (Any of you accustomed to online gaming will certainly recognize some of these titles.) And, accompanying the neighborhood feel of the Red Dolly, there’s a highly rated on-site restaurant as well. There are no table games, so no blackjack, craps, or roulette.
- 530 Gregory St, Black Hawk | 303-582-1100 | thereddollycasino.com
Sky Ute Casino — Ignacio

Many American Indian tribes around the country operate some of the country’s most impressive casinos on reservations. Run by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Sky Ute Casino has a huge number of slots and table games, a dedicated poker room, comfortable hotel accommodations, and a spa facility. Other forms of entertainment include bowling, an arcade, putt-putt golf, and a playground.
This big, beautiful casino complex is located in Ignacio, which is located southeast of Durango and southwest of Pagosa Springs. Three restaurants reside inside the casino: Seven Rivers, Willows Cafe Bistro, and Rolling Thunder Grill. The 140-room hotel has several room types to choose from, and wonderful amenities, like a swimming pool, lazy river, and hot tub.
- 14324 Hwy 172 North, Ignacio, CO | 970-563-7777 | skyutecasino.com
- Check prices, availability or book Sky Ute Casino
Bronco Billy’s — Cripple Creek

Aside from Black Hawk and Central City (and the Indian reservations), Cripple Creek is the other place to go for casino activity. And Bronco Billy’s is one of the highlights. Another mountain town venue with the vaguely “Old West” feeling you’ll notice in Black Hawk and Central City, it’s got all the best games and is known for making a fuss over major jackpot wins.
There are also dining options available, as well as hotel rooms at the Carr Manor.
- 233 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek | 719-689-2142 | broncobillyscasino.com
- Check prices, availability or book Bronco Billy’s Casino & Hotel
Monarch Casino Resort Spa — Black Hawk

Monarch Casino Resort Spa offers more of the same excellence in Black Hawk, with plenty of gaming options and an appealing design that helps it blend into the surroundings somewhat. There are over 500 luxury hotel rooms in this casino, with four different styles of rooms. A handful of restaurants and cafes are on-site to feed your hunger and thirst.
It has everything you’d expect to find, plus a focus on TV viewing and live entertainment, making it arguably the best place on this list for those who incorporate sports betting into their gambling. A full video wall and accompanying bar make for a great spot to track your bets, perhaps in between trips to the gaming tables.
- 488 Main St, Black Hawk | 303-582-1000 | monarchblackhawk.com
- Check prices, availability or book Monarch Casino Resort Spa
Saratoga Casino — Black Hawk

Saratoga Casino is one of the most glamorous gaming venues in Black Hawk. Table games and slots abound, and the casino also offers its own special promotions and bonus events. Saratoga has a little more to offer than some of its counterparts on this list in terms of dining and drinks.
In addition to two restaurants – Mill City Chophouse and the more casual Main Street Cafe – the casino is home to multiple bars and lounges. Mill City Patio in particular offers a great chance for you to step outside and enjoy the beautiful surroundings in between games.
- 101 Main St, Black Hawk | 303-582-6100 | saratogacasinobh.com
Colorado is a diverse and exciting state, and visitors can do everything from living out their Wild West fantasies to pretending they’re James Bond as they ski down a mountain, before betting on lucky 17 in the casino afterward. If you’re looking for an exceptional casino holiday with plenty of stuff to do away from the tables, then we can’t recommend this incredible state enough.