On the surface, Colorado is known for its stunning mountains, happening nightlife, and nearly year-round sunshine. However, if you look closer, you'll find the Centennial State has a dark side.

For starters, Fremont County is home to ADX Florence, a maximum security prison housing shockingly dangerous criminals — including cartel leaders like El Chapo and 9/11 co-conspirators like Zacarias Moussaoui.

READ: These Are the Infamous Inmates of Colorado's Supermax Prison

While these offenders reside in Colorado, most of their atrocities occurred elsewhere. Others, like some of the country's most notorious serial killers, committed their crimes right here in the Centennial State.

But what is a serial killer, exactly?

The FBI's publication Serial Murder: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for Investigators defines a serial killer as someone or multiple people who have carried out "the unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender(s), in separate events."

The key to this definition is the phrase "in separate events" — this is what distinguishes a serial killer like Jeffrey Dahmer from a mass murderer like Stephen Paddock.

RELATED: These Infamous Colorado Crimes Made Headlines Around the World

According to a 2022 report from World Population Review, the Centennial State has had a total of 161 serial killer victims, accounting for 2.72 victims out of every 100,000 people. Out of all 50 states, Colorado has had the 28th most serial killings.

See 14 of the most notorious serial killers with connections to Colorado in the gallery below.

14 of the Most Notorious Killers With Connections to Colorado

Read on to learn about some of the most infamous serial killers who have unnerving Colorado connections.

Check out 25 infamous true crime locations — and see what they look like today — in the gallery below.

25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today?

Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and what the locations are used for today. (If they've been left standing.)

 

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