Ever since it opened in February of 1995, Denver International Airport has been shrouded in mystery. Built across 15,000 hectares and twice the size of Manhattan, the airport was 16 months behind schedule and US$2 billion over budget when finally completed, with no official reason given for the delay. Since then, it’s been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories involving everything from the Illuminati to the New World Order, with people still unsure of its true purpose.
From the get-go, people were suspicious about the airport’s creation, considering the Denver Stapleton Airport – located just down the road – had been serving all major airlines in and out of Denver for decades without issue. Within weeks of opening, people noticed something peculiar about the airport’s layout. Unlike most modern airports, the runways at DIA are arranged in a shape that resembles a swastika. While officials claimed this is because the formation allows planes to simultaneously takeoff and land consistently, people began speculating the airport was built or funded by a Nazi sympathising cult made up of the world’s elite who are using their power and wealth to bring about a global totalitarian government, otherwise known as the New World Order. From here things just keep on getting weirder.
Around the airport are a number of dedication markers and plaques inscribed with the words, “The New World Airport Commission,” with conspiracy theorists speculating this is a nod to the New World Order – particularly, as no such commission exists. Many of these plaques also depict the Masonic square and compass symbol; with others suggesting Denver Airport is the Illuminati or Freemason headquarters of America. Both are secretive groups who want to bring about a New World Order via nefarious methods. Another interesting fact is the airport’s dedication date, March 19, 1994. Add those numbers together (1+9+1+9+9+4) and you get 33. Considered a perfect number, 33 is also the highest level one can achieve in Freemasonry, and one of the symbols of the Ku Klux Klan, adding to the intrigue of the airport.
Inside DIA things get even more mysterious. Artist Leo Tanguma created a number of controversial murals depicting death and destruction many interpret as foretelling the coming apocalypse and the rise of the New World Order. There’s also a statue of Anubis, the ancient Egyptian god of Death, and two weird looking gargoyles in the terminal that create a feeling of dread. On arrival, a horrifying 32-foot horse named Blue Mustang greets passengers. Standing on its hind legs with glowing red eyes, the imposing statue is said to represent the Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse, Death, and is another reference to the end of the world, a common theme throughout the airport.
The craziest theory surrounding DIA is that it was built to conceal a massive underground bunker. Conspiracy nuts believe the extra US$2 billion spent on the airport went towards five multi-level subterranean buildings where the Illuminati and Freemasons are plotting the world’s demise, or that it houses lizard people from outer space who are trying to take over the world. Former workers have come forward and claimed to have been involved with its construction, while others have leaked information about a network of tunnels running underneath the airport leading all the way to Washington. While it’s never been confirmed, the airport does have the capacity to handle a large number of people and vehicles, so it’s not totally unbelievable DIA could be used as some kind of bunker to house the world’s elite, or a secret army ready to strike when the apocalypse begins.
While there’s no concrete evidence supporting any of these accusations, Denver International Airport continues to be a haven for conspiracy theorists. A time capsule buried beneath the airport is set to be unearthed in 2094, so maybe then we’ll finally know the true origins of the airport’s existence – unless the New World Order has already risen to power…