Colorado Halloween Costume Ideas That Only Locals Will Understand

I love a Halloween costume with a local joke. And here in Colorado, we have plenty to work with. Giant blue animals, Casa Bonita, traffic that never moves and weather that can’t make up its mind.

Some of these Colorado Halloween costume ideas take a little crafting. Others you could probably pull straight out of your closet. Either way, your fellow locals should get the joke.

Blucifer

Obvious one, right? Dress in bright blue, add a horse head or ears, and make the eyes glow red for Denver International Airport’s most unsettling greeter. Bonus points if you stand dramatically in someone’s yard and refuse to explain yourself.

Big Blue Bear

In a similar vein… blue clothes, bear ears and a big cardboard window turn you into the curious bear outside the Colorado Convention Center. Spend the night peering through doorways like you’re trying to see what’s happening inside.

Casa Bonita Cliff Diver

Grab a swimsuit or athletic gear, carry a towel and wear a homemade “Casa Bonita” badge. A friend dressed as a sopapilla makes this an even better pair costume, and neither of you needs to jump off anything.

Giant Sopapilla

Speaking of! Wear a tan pillow-shaped costume with a drizzle of felt “honey” and tell everyone you’re the real reason they go to Casa Bonita. Comfortable, recognizable and likely to make everyone hungry.

Columbine Flower

Build oversized blue, lavender and white petals around a headband and wear green underneath. Colorado’s state flower makes a pretty costume that doesn’t require you to carry props all night.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Add curled horns to a brown hoodie and you’ve got Colorado’s state animal. For the full effect, pose on the nearest step and look completely unbothered by the height.

Denver Traffic

Tape toy cars to a gray shirt and hold a sign that says “Just 20 more minutes.” Bring a friend dressed as a brake light for a group costume nobody wants to get stuck behind. Or go literal with a cardboard mousetrap labeled “I-25 & I-70.”

Skiing in Jeans

Pull on jeans, a ski jacket and goggles, then carry poles to complete the look. Spend the party discussing whether the snow is any good yet while insisting your denim is all the gear you need.

Fourteener Hiker

Hiking boots, a backpack, trekking poles and a cardboard elevation sign get the idea across quickly. Tell everyone you started at 4am, even if you actually left the house five minutes ago.

DIA Conspiracy Board

Cover a shirt or cardboard board with an airport map, pictures of Blucifer, alien doodles and red yarn connecting everything. Add a sign that says “But What’s Under the Airport?” and spend the night explaining how it all fits together.

Colorado Green Chile Bowl

Make a foam or cardboard bowl to wear around your waist and add green fabric “chile” on top. Ask everyone whether they want it mild, medium or hot, then defend your favorite local version all night. Bonus: Start a friendly argument with someone from New Mexico about which state makes better green chile.

Mountain Weather Forecast

Attach a paper sun, snowflakes and a rain cloud to your outfit, with a sign that reads “All Before Lunch.” Anyone who has packed three layers for a Colorado day trip will understand.

My Personal Fave: Red Rocks Concertgoer

Wear your favorite band shirt, sensible shoes and a jacket tied around your waist, with two red cardboard rocks on either side. Carry an empty water bottle and announce that you’re “pretty sure” your seat is just a few more stairs up.

Honestly, I could probably put together the Red Rocks costume without buying a thing. Although dressing as Denver traffic would give me an excuse to complain about it all night. 😂

What Colorado costume would you add to the list?
I know someone out there has already made an amazing Blucifer.

Greeblehaus is a Denver-based music and travel blog sharing concert photography, reviews, and stories from live music across Colorado and beyond. You can find more upcoming shows in our Denver concert calendar.