The Denver Airport Conspiracy

Why would Denver need another airport? Why were there so many contract changes for the building along with the firing of numerous contractors? Why did the project cost almost four times above projections (Bailey 1)? These are some of the questions raised by conspiracy theorists surrounding the Denver International Airport in Colorado. The new airport was opened in 1995 and the contract allocated 1% of the budget to art (Sylte 1). Among the murals, sculptures, time-capsules, and layout of the airport, several conspiracies developed:

1. The airport was built by a secret society (Anas 1).

2. There are secret underground tunnels that lead to bunkers (Margaritoff 1).

3. Leo Tanguma’s murals convey hidden information about cults, elites, and war (1).

Let us examine Leo Tanguma, the hidden information conveyed in plain sight and the possibilities of the conspiracy.

​

Leo Tanguma is a determined and bold individual. He is known mostly for his work with the Chicano community, gathering his ideas from real-world events (Tanguma 1). Tanguma was born into a farming family in South Texas where he struggled with poverty and career aspirations (Glentzer 1). Later, he attended Texas Southern University and met the influential Dr. Biggers (1). After seeing potential, Dr. Biggers guided Tanguma’s art style and encouraged cultural exploration. He is most recognized for his work that depicts the negatives so people can consider what the piece means. It is common for his work to show weapons, violence, swords, soldiers, and chains. He believes it is important to propose a solution within the art while still focusing on a central point (Wanderer 1). His most famous pieces can be found in Houston, where his career began, and Denver. No shortage of backlash came from these pieces with funding pulled, murals destroyed or stolen, and even petitions to take down his work at Denver. Still, artists around the world like Mario E. Figueroa Jr. have been influenced by Tanguma’s work (Tubbs). The mural “The Rebirth of Our Nationality” was restored by Figueroa Jr. because it inspired him to become an artist. As a voice for the community, most of his murals depict the struggle of Mexican Americans during the Chicano movement.

Leo Tanguma is a determined individual who went through many obstacles. His childhood was full of hard work and manual labor that shaped him into the person that he is today. In an interview, Tanguma mentioned, “He grew up in a family of farm workers and picked cotton, onions, and corn in the fields of south Texas from the time he was able to walk” (Wanderer 1). Tanguma’s sister held an influential role in his life by purchasing educational books and painting supplies for him (1). Farm life was difficult primarily because his parents accepted their role in life while Tanguma and his sister looked elsewhere; “He quit school in the sixth grade to help support the family by doing fieldwork.” (Monterrosa 1). In his early teenage years, he moved to Houston with his sister and worked as a dishwasher, humbly enjoying work-paid meals. Determined to continue working through life, he joined the Marines at age fifteen but was quickly thrown out due to age restrictions (Glentzer 1). Later, he joined the army where he first dipped his hands into mural painting along with earning his GED (Wanderer 1). Even through difficult times, Tanguma continued to pave his way through life finding his peace in art.

Leo Tanguma is a bold artist who is not scared to portray his ideologies. In elementary school, he drew himself stabbing the Beeville sheriff because of his known violence against people of Mexican descent (Monterrosa 1). Even through punishment, “Art became his voice to proclaim the aspirations of the oppressed and a means to protest peacefully (1). He discovered that though art is silent, it carries a large voice when a level of understanding is acquired. Some view the art as negative and radical such as a high school principal that trashed a collaborative painting between Tanguma and students (Wanderer 1). His belief is to keep the negatives and downsides in the painting, so the meaning is pondered by the audience (1). Much of his work is on topics such as civil rights, police brutality, racism, and minorities. There is no doubt that his work has caused backlash; “Tanguma says a woman from the art council suggest Tanguma just, ‘Go back to Mexico’ if he didn’t like what was going on” (1). His hands share the story of the community for which he paints, gaining his ideas from the life surrounding him.

            From the humble beginnings of a small town, Leo Tanguma has succeeded in being a voice for the community through his art. Through the hardships of farming, poverty, and low-paying jobs, Tanguma went through life as a determined and bold individual. At the beginning of his journey, he often worked for free because funding was hard to come by. Though his love for art began early, people he met along his journey and personal experiences led him to his unique style. Tanguma never let the media change his subject matter for the murals that he paints, even after groups called his work a demonic display; “For a few years, conspiracy theorists insisted his airport murals were Satanic. Others have called his work visual sermons. He remains an enigma” (Glentzer). The 81-year-old continues to display his art at various college campuses and art galleries for the world to see. He believes that his art is successful because it ties into what the community has gone through, pushing progressive change (Monterrosa 1).

​

The Denver Airport is filled with mysterious quirks and features that three conspiracy theories take advantage of. One of the theories suggests the airport was built by a secret society. The next theory says that there are secret underground tunnels that lead to bunkers. The third suggests that muralist Leo Tanguma reveals hidden information in his work. Let's explore the information and evidence at the Denver Airport to figure out which theory is most plausible. 

            According to the first theory, Denver Airport was constructed and is controlled by a secret society such as the Illuminati (Butzer 1). South of the airport there is a plaque that contains the Freemasons symbol (1). The Freemasons are a mysterious organization, “There has also been a longstanding rumor that Freemasons are the same as the Illuminati” (Garlinghouse 1). Media relations at the airport deny any connection to a secret society and instead state; “It’s not uncommon to have the Masons to be a part of large public facility openings, like an airport” (Milici 1). What is suspicious is what lies below the symbol on the plaque, “New World Airport Commission” (Staff 1). Like the Illuminati, the New World Order’s goal; “is working behind the scenes to orchestrate global events to enslave the global populace” (Flores 1). This organization does not exist, and the inscription led many to believe the connection to the New World Order, with some believing they built the airport. This theory is quickly disproved because an art enthusiast, Charles Ansbacher, named the opening day festivities, “The name is a reference to Dvorak’s New World Symphony” (Wenzel 1). Many conspiracies involving secret societies have erupted over the past decade leaving Denver with two options; deny or entertain. The airport itself created an art project called Illuminati DIA: Tunnel Visions to entertain aspects of the conspiracy (1). If the conspiracy theory were true the airport would likely cover it up, not entertain.

            The second and most plausible theory suggests secret underground tunnels and bunkers. There are many different theories about what the tunnel’s purpose is and what they lead to. One thing that can be certain about the tunnels, they exist. Denver International Airport has confirmed the usage of tunnels that extend to the perimeter of the property (Butzter 1). The tunnels conspiracy is popular, “Rumors surrounding the apocalypse are probably some of the biggest conspiracy theories about the airport” (Romano 1). Theorists argue many different points; the tunnels lead to bomb shelters for the apocalypse, they house aliens or lizard people, or they lead 100 miles away to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Butzer 1). The bomb shelter is the most supported and likely of all theories discussed. The airport was billions of dollars over budget and it’s the perfect isolated location in case of an emergency. Though the most likely theory, Denver Airport claims they are for baggage (1).

            The theory of Leo Tanguma hiding information in his work ties in with the other theories. Some claim that Tanguma’s murals, “Children of the World Dream of Peace and In Peace and Harmony with Nature depict genocide and predict the end of the world” (Milici 1). It is true that Tanguma’s murals contain swords, gas masks, soldiers, and even dead children in the airport. This theory is unlikely because of Tanguma’s character. While it is true that Leo Tanguma depicts negatives in his work, he wants others to consider the meaning. The titles of the pieces are a great summary of what the murals mean and stand for (Staff 1). Children of the World Dream of Peace hopes to rid the world of violence and In Peace and Harmony with Nature depicts the destruction and restoration of the environment (1).

            With conspiracy theories on the rise, it’s easy to lose track of facts, “Nearly half of Americans believe in at least one medical conspiracy theory, survey finds” (Mcarthy 1). With all three conspiracy theories having some facts, there is a possibility of one of the theories being true. The least outlandish and logical explanation for the overbudget airport is the emergency tunnels. Denver is in a semi-isolated area and is home to many military bases. These tunnels could lead to bunkers that provide protection against emergency events. The other theories are outlandish with secret organizations owning the airport and hidden messages in paintings. Why would the airport entertain aspects of the conspiracy theories if they wanted secrecy and limited evidence?

​

The Denver International Airport was delayed and massively over budget. The suspicious activity at the airport led many conspiracy theories to form. After viewing the clues and characters at the Denver International Airport, three conspiracies are left for question. Was the airport built by a secret society? Are there secret underground tunnels leading to bunkers? Does Leo Tanguma hide clues about cults, elites, and war? After viewing each of the theories, the secret underground tunnel theory best solves the mystery.