Families can piece together a spooky story with a stroll through Old Colorado City this Halloween

OLD COLORADO CITY, Colo. (KRDO) – This October, the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is providing a unique spooky reading experience that encourages families to take a stroll around Old Colorado City.

"You really can't beat activities that you don't have to pay money to go to," said PPLD PR and Marketing Manager Carla Bamesberger.

The Old Colorado City Library's "Spooky Stroll-a-Story" takes families on a journey downtown to piece together a Halloween-themed picture book, with pages posted at different establishments.

This year's book is Mrs. McMurphy's Pumpkin by Ricky Walten, and the story is available to read Oct. 1-31.

"There's just something really simple and nice about getting to go to Old Colorado City and walk around and find all the pieces of the story," Bamesberger said.

"Usually, when you're reading, you sit down, and read a book, and you aren't really bouncing around. But when you do the spooky Stroll-A-Story, you're wondering around town!"

Pick up a map at Old Colorado City Library to start the adventure, or view the map below to see the locations for each page of the book.

Bamesberger said the library and other establishments on the route have candy for the kids during business hours, with a special treat from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

The PPLD first launched their Stroll-a-Story program during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to tell stories and share experiences with families while libraries were closed.

The creative story-telling method aims to get families outside and enjoying the changing seasons all while encouraging reading and literacy.