A Colorado artist is transforming a dead tree into a work of art honoring Western heritage at Hangman’s Gulch Trail in Castle Rock. The trail connects the east and west sides of town. Now, those walking the stretch between Liggett Road and Interstate 25 will find a new addition.
Legend has it that before Colorado was even a state, an outlaw was hung in the Castle Rock gulch after murdering a local homesteader. There are even whispers of his ghost still haunting the area.
One tree may have even witnessed the grisly moment told of in tall tales, which gave Hangman’s Gulch its name, but sadly, the tree recently died and had to be cut down for the safety of trail users. But the town and one local artist saw that as an opportunity…