Conspiracy theories surround Denver International Airport's art and architecture

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Conspiracy theories surround Denver International Airport's art and architecture

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Denver International Airport | Denver Airport

By Sky Industry News

Jun 28, 2025

Denver International Airport (DEN) has long been a subject of intrigue and speculation. Located 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver, the airport is the largest in the Western Hemisphere by area and ranks as the second-largest globally. Since its opening in 1995, it has grown into a major hub for domestic and international travel, serving over 230 destinations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

The airport's unusual design, art installations, and construction issues have fueled numerous conspiracy theories since its inception. These include rumors about underground tunnels being used for nefarious purposes or as survival bunkers for elites. Despite these claims, the tunnels are primarily designed to facilitate luggage movement between check-in areas and baggage claim facilities.

In 2016, DEN began embracing these theories by installing exhibitions explaining popular conspiracy theories surrounding the airport. An animatronic gargoyle named Gregoriden was introduced in 2019, reportedly greeting visitors with phrases like "welcome to the Illuminati." This initiative aimed to engage with public curiosity rather than dismiss it outright.

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Denver International's collaboration with Roswell International Air Center in New Mexico further exemplifies its approach to embracing conspiracy narratives. The two airports agreed to become "supernatural sister airports" to boost tourism and humorously agreed on strategies for extraterrestrial battles.

The Blue Mustang statue at DEN, often referred to as "Blucifer," is another focal point of conspiracy theories due to its glowing red eyes. However, these were intended as a tribute by artist Luis Jiménez to his father’s neon shop ownership.

Murals by Leo Tanguma at the airport have also sparked controversy. Some interpret them as depicting Nazism or apocalyptic prophecies, contradicting Tanguma's intended message of peace and unity.

Despite extensive rumors linking DEN to secret societies like the Freemasons or the New World Order, there is no evidence supporting such claims. A time capsule plaque at the facility features Freemason symbols and mentions a "New World Airport Commission," which some speculate does not exist beyond this reference.

A spokesperson for DEN clarified that while Freemasons created the plaque featuring their symbol, they played no role in running the airport. The phrase "New World Airport Commission" was allegedly inspired by Dvorak's New World Symphony.

As Denver International continues to expand and break passenger volume records—serving more than 80 million passengers in 2024—it remains a significant economic contributor to Colorado’s economy.