What’s so scary about Colorado? We live in a state known for its snow-capped mountains, sunny days, fantastic winter sports, and healthy inhabitants. So why is it also such a popular setting for stories of mystery and horror?

Students on this Winterim will investigate this question by visiting the cities where four mysterious stories take place: Mark Stevens’ Antler Dust, Cynthia Swanson’s “Pieces of Everyone, Everywhere,” Carter Wilson’s “Grave Mistake,” and Stephen King’s The Shining. While in these places, students will walk in the footsteps of the characters from these stories. They will explore whether the images of the settings that the books create in the mind’s eye match reality—and see if any of the “haunted” hotels we stay in really do have ghosts. Students will also create their own writing as the group works to compile an anthology of mysterious prose to be distributed at the end of Winterim.

During the week, students will have a conversation about writing spooky stories set in Colorado with at least one published author. Other activities will include exploring caves and experiencing unique thrill rides at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, swimming in the Glenwood Hot Springs pool, investigating the haunted history of historic graveyards and parks throughout Colorado, and touring the Stanley Hotel in search of ghosts.