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Denver International Airport (DEN) is a major airline hub in the United States, serving metropolitan Denver, Colorado, and the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, and has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories and legends. From secret tunnels and bunkers to a cursed horse statue, there are many stories surrounding the airport. The airport's dedication marker credits an organisation called the New World Airport Commission for building it, and its runways are said to resemble a swastika when viewed from above. The artwork and building layout are also notably unusual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 25 miles (40 km) driving distance northeast of Downtown Denver |
| Land Area | 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi; 135.7 km2) |
| Longest Runway | 16,000 feet (3.03 mi; 4.88 km) |
| Ranking | Third busiest airport in the world in 2021 and 2022 |
| Ranking (US) | Third busiest airport in the US in 2021, 2022, and 2023 |
| Annual Passenger Traffic (2023) | 77.8 million |
| Annual Economic Impact | $47.2 billion |
| Public Transport | RTD's A Line commuter rail service to Denver Union Station |
| Conspiracy Theories | Secret societies, lizard people, and a cursed horse statue |
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What You'll Learn
Denver Airport's conspiracy theories
Denver International Airport has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories since its construction began in 1989. The airport, which is located about 20 miles from downtown Denver, opened in February 1995, replacing the Stapleton International Airport. The construction of the airport was marred by delays, financing difficulties, and cost overruns, with the final budget exceeding the original estimate by a shocking $3 billion. These factors fuelled speculation and conspiracy theories, with people questioning the true nature of the project.
One of the most prominent conspiracy theories surrounding the Denver Airport is the involvement of secret societies, such as the Illuminati and the Freemasons. Conspiracy theorists point to the existence of underground tunnels, unmarked buildings, and the presence of symbols associated with these secret societies. The airport's public art installations, such as the "Blucifer" horse sculpture with glowing red eyes, and the murals by Leo Tanguma, are also believed to contain hidden messages and foretell a sinister purpose. Some even speculate about the existence of secret underground bunkers and tunnels for the elite in the event of an apocalypse.
The airport has also been associated with alien conspiracies, with some believing it is a cover for aliens to take over the world. This theory was further fuelled by a marketing campaign that playfully blamed construction projects on aliens. Additionally, there are theories about the airport's connection to Nazism and the New World Order, with some believing it was built by this group with potential ties to occult-worshipping Freemasons, the CIA, and the British Monarchy.
In recent years, the airport has embraced these conspiracy theories as a unique marketing strategy and a way to connect with travellers, often referencing them in construction signs and tweets. Despite the lighthearted approach, some staunch skeptics remain convinced that there is something sinister underlying these theories.
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The New World Order
Denver International Airport (DEN) is a major airline hub in the United States and has consistently been ranked among the top airports in the world. The airport serves metropolitan Denver, Colorado, and the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. It is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area and the second-largest on Earth.
Since its opening in 1995, DEN has been a magnet for myths and legends. One of the most pervasive legends about the airport is that it was built by members of a secret society, namely the Freemasons, the Illuminati, or the New World Order. The airport's dedication marker credits an organization called the New World Airport Commission for building it, and while this group doesn't exist, its name is suspiciously close to that of the so-called New World Order. The New World Order is believed to be an alleged cabal of global elites conspiring to overthrow existing governments and rule the world.
Adding to this theory, some believe that the airport's artwork, including two murals by artist Leo Tanguma, contains New World Order imagery as proof of the airport's link to a fascist secret society. The murals, "Children of the World Dream of Peace" and "In Peace and Harmony with Nature", depict macabre doomsday scenarios and allusions to biological warfare. While the artist intended to encourage world peace and a healthy relationship with nature, the murals are terrifying to look at. Other eerie works of art include a 32-foot-tall sculpture of a blue horse with red, glowing eyes, nicknamed "Blucifer", and a statue of the Egyptian god of the underworld, Anubis.
Furthermore, conspiracy theories abound regarding the many unmarked buildings and underground areas discovered throughout the premises, including miles of underground tunnels and secret bunkers. Some even claim there is a tunnel running from DEN to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) 100 miles away. These underground lairs are believed to be where members of secret societies will ride out the apocalypse or where something supernatural, like lizard people or extraterrestrials, resides.
While these theories may seem far-fetched, the high cost and long construction time of the airport, as well as its odd atmosphere, unusual layout, and strange artwork, have contributed to its reputation as a hotbed of conspiracy and intrigue.
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Freemasons and the Illuminati
Denver International Airport has been described as a "playground for conspiracy theorists". One of the main theories is that the airport is a sanctuary for the Freemasons, Illuminati, and other elites in the event of an apocalypse. The airport's runway, shaped like a Nazi swastika, is said to house a network of underground tunnels and bunkers. These tunnels span over a million square feet, according to KUSA Denver, and could be used to protect political leaders and wealthy families in the event of a nuclear war.
The airport's construction adds fuel to the fire. Built in 1995, the project ran 16 months behind schedule and was $2 billion over budget. Conspiracy theorists speculate that this allowed for the construction of additional areas, including the alleged doomsday shelter. The airport's dedication plaque at the south entrance also bears a Freemasons symbol and contains a time capsule to be opened in 2094. The inscription "New World Airport Commission" below the symbol has led to theories that the airport was built by the New World Order, an alleged group of global elites similar to the Illuminati.
Adding to the intrigue are the airport's artistic features, which are often interpreted as ominous. For instance, a mural titled "Children of the World Dream of Peace" depicts a gas mask-wearing soldier with a sword and machine gun, while another piece called "In Peace and Harmony with Nature" shows children crying as the world burns in the background. The airport also features gargoyle sculptures, typically found on English churches and ancient castles, which some believe indicates something mysterious.
While these theories have gained traction, the airport has denied them, attributing the conspiracies to over-analysis and coincidences. The tunnels, for example, are publicly acknowledged and used by around 1,000 people daily for luggage transportation. The airport has even embraced the conspiracies as a source of entertainment, poking fun at the more colourful theories. Ultimately, the Denver International Airport continues to be a hub for travel and a hotspot for conspiracy theories.
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Secret tunnels and bunkers
Denver International Airport (DIA) is the centre of many conspiracy theories. One of the most popular theories is that there are secret tunnels and bunkers beneath the airport.
The airport is huge, covering 33,531 acres, and there are indeed 470,000 square feet of tunnels beneath the airport. These tunnels are used by around 1,000 people a day, ferrying luggage around planes and baggage areas. They also house miles of plumbing and electrical cabling. However, some believe that there are secret bunkers and tunnels beneath the airport, built as a haven for the global elite in case of a catastrophe or apocalypse. There are rumours that the tunnels connect to the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station in Colorado Springs, over 90 miles away. Some construction workers reported seeing entrances to bunkers or other mysterious areas, but these were likely just other parts of the tunnel system.
The theory of secret bunkers and tunnels is bolstered by the fact that the airport's construction went significantly over budget and schedule. The airport cost $2 billion more than planned, and it opened 16 months behind schedule. There are also claims that the automated baggage system, which cost millions of dollars, failed to work as designed. However, others claim that this system was still utilised in various ways until around 2010.
Adding to the intrigue, there are various pieces of art in the airport that are interpreted as heralding the end of the world. For example, the statue "Mustang", also known as "Blucifer", is seen by some as one of the steeds belonging to the four horsemen of the apocalypse, rather than a symbol of the wild spirit of the West. There is also a mining cart carved into a tile in the Great Hall with the letters "Au" and "Ag" inscribed, which some believe stands for "Australian Antigen", a deadly chemical weapon being developed by the Illuminati, rather than the atomic symbols for gold and silver.
The Denver Airport has been having fun with these conspiracies in recent years, with airport workers donning lizard masks and skulking around when the media comes to tour the tunnels.
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Blucifer, the blue horse statue
One of the most notable features of the Denver International Airport is the 32-foot-tall blue mustang statue, known colloquially as "Blucifer". The sculpture, officially named "Mustang", is located in the median of Peña Boulevard, towering over the road with its eyes glowing red. Blucifer is considered a point of pride for the airport, with Stacey Stegman, DIA's senior vice president of communications, marketing, and customer service, describing it as "a fierce blue mustang that we look at as kind of a protector of travellers, guarding this airport".
The statue was originally commissioned in 1993 while the airport was still being built and was inspired by legends from San Luis Valley about a mythical blue horse considered a powerful leader among mustangs, sometimes with red eyes and capable of flying. The blue mustang is also based on an 8-foot-tall sculpture called "Mesteño", which is Spanish for mustang, located at the University of Oklahoma. The choice of blue may have been inspired by the artist's own blue roan horse, Blackjack.
Blucifer has been the subject of controversy and intrigue, with some locals disparaging the statue and others finding it fascinating. It has been described as having a creepy vibe and a demonic stance, with its glowing red eyes contributing to its ominous appearance. The statue has also been associated with conspiracy theories and rumours, such as those suggesting that the airport is linked to a secret society or that the statue itself is cursed.
The creation of Blucifer was not without tragedy. The statue was created by artist Luis Jiménez, who was killed in 2006 when the head of the horse fell on him, severing an artery in his leg. The sculpture was eventually completed with the help of the artist's staff, family, and professional painters Camillo Nuñez and Richard LaVato. It was unveiled at the Denver International Airport on February 11, 2008, and is insured for $2 million.
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Frequently asked questions
The Denver International Airport covers 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi; 135.7 km2), making it the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area and the second-largest on Earth.
In 2021 and 2022, the airport was the third busiest airport in the world and the third busiest in the US by passenger traffic. In 2024, it set an all-time passenger record, serving 82,358,744 passengers.
The airport features a 32-foot-tall sculpture of a blue horse named "Mustang", artworks by Leo Tanguma, and a Westin hotel. It also provides free wireless internet access and has various dining and shopping options.
There are several conspiracy theories about the airport, including the existence of secret tunnels, lizard people, and a cursed horse statue. Some theories also suggest that the airport was built by a secret society, such as the Freemasons, Illuminati, or New World Order.
The airport offers various parking options and accessible transportation services. It also has a convenient rail service, known as the A Line, which connects the airport to Denver Union Station.
