11 Notorious Murderers and Serial Killers from Colorado

Colorado has had its fair share of heinous crimes committed by infamous serial killers. From Ted Bundy to Nathan Dunlap, these murderers have left a dark mark on the state’s history. Bundy, one of the most notorious serial killers of all time, committed murders in Colorado while on a killing spree that spanned multiple states. He confessed to killing Denise Lynn Oliverson, a Grand Junction woman, and claimed to have disposed of her body in the Colorado River. Nathan Dunlap, known as the Chuck E. Cheese’s Killer, carried out a brutal rampage at a restaurant in Aurora in 1993, leaving four employees dead and another seriously injured. Dunlap was eventually sentenced to life in prison for his crimes.

Another infamous case in Colorado is that of Chris Watts, who committed a cold-blooded murder of his pregnant wife Shanann and their two daughters in 2018. The investigation into Watts’ crimes is well-documented in the Netflix true-crime release American Murder: The Family Next Door. The case shocked the nation and shed light on the horrors of domestic violence. Adolph Coors III, the CEO of the Coors beverage empire, was also a victim of a high-profile kidnapping and murder case in 1960. Joseph Corbett Jr. was found guilty of Coors’ murder and sentenced to life in prison, eventually being released on parole in 1980.

Scott Lee Kimball, a convicted murderer serving a 70-year sentence, was involved in the deaths of four individuals in Colorado and Utah. Bruce Carroll Pierce, a member of the right-wing terrorist group The Order, assassinated talk radio DJ Alan Berg in 1984. Alferd Packer, known as the Colorado Cannibal, confessed to surviving off the flesh of his companions during an expedition in the San Juan Mountains in 1874. Vincent Groves, a former pimp turned serial killer, was responsible for at least seven murders in Denver between 1979 and 1988. Thomas Edward Luther, who served prison time for attempted murder, went on to kill and attack more individuals after his release.

Joseph Dyre Morse, a janitor at the University of Colorado, brutally murdered a student on campus in 1966. These cases highlight the dark and disturbing history of Colorado, with each killer leaving a lasting impact on the communities where their crimes were committed. While some of these murderers have since been brought to justice, others have evaded consequences for their actions. Colorado has seen its fair share of gruesome murders and notorious serial killers, creating a haunting legacy that continues to capture the attention of true crime enthusiasts and horror hounds alike.