Underground tunnels that serve as secret bunkers crawling with aliens and lizard people.
An array of strange symbols linked to the Illuminati and the New World Order.
Sinister murals that hint towards the world apocalypse.
And a cursed blue horse sculpture with piercing red eyes known as ‘Bluecifer’.
These are just some of the many strange conspiracies you might have heard about when flying through
Denver International Airport in Colorado.
Ever since its construction, outlandish rumours have been a hot topic among conspiracy theorists
– and in recent years- ones that the airport itself has fully embraced.
Gargoyle: Welcome to Illuminati Headquarters - I mean Denver International Airport!
But mysterious murals and odd symbols might not be the only thing you’ve noticed in
Denver.
By now, you’ve likely experienced some turbulence navigating around the construction at DIA.
As America’s third busiest airport – with over 58 million annual flyers in 2021 – Denver
is racing to keep up with increasing passenger demand.
The $4.3BN reconstruction project is aiming to complete by 2028.
But it hasn’t been without unexpected delays – all of which seems to be further raising
suspicion among the conspiracy sleuths.
So how does the world’s weirdest airport plan to accommodate more travellers?
And is it really all just a cover up for something more cryptic going on behind closed doors?
Welcome to one of the world’s strangest construction projects.
LOGO APPEAR Denver International has pretty much always
been shrouded in controversy.
Before opening back in 1995, its construction was a target of public opposition.
Many believed the original Stapleton Airport was perfectly acceptable and that any new
facility would just bring more traffic and pollution to the area.
But Stapleton was already bursting at the seams and the site wasn’t nearly large enough
for the size of expansion needed.
So in 1989, Colorado began building an entirely new airport on the northeast edge of Denver
– far away from anything else – and Stapleton was abandoned completely.
The project didn’t go well.
The airport was supposed to complete in 1993, but a complex design, financial struggles,
and some contractual disputes meant that the first plane didn’t take-off until 16 months
later in 1995.
By that stage the whole thing was $2BN over budget.
People began to question things and it didn’t take long before several conspiracy theories
began circulating.
Why was construction so delayed?
What was that extra $2 billion dollars really used for?
Tunnels housing a new innovative baggage system failed to work properly and a dedication plaque
bearing the symbol of the Freemasons – a legitimate secret society – all raised eyebrows.
The airport’s strange artwork only added fuel to the fire.
Many were also suspicious of the airport's sheer size.
When construction was completed, it became the largest in the US by surface area at over
130 square kilometres – twice the size of Manhattan.
Yet just like Stapleton, Denver began having trouble keeping up with increasing passenger
demand over the years and its facilities were ageing quickly.
Designed to handle 50 million people a year, the airport saw nearly 60 million pass through
in 2021 – and those numbers are going grow to nearly 100 million over the next 8 to 10
years.
To get ready for the future, Denver has devised a plan and in 2018, started work on two major
construction projects.
First off, the Great Hall is undergoing a $2BN renovation.
Transport to the gates will also be improved by adding and replacing outdated train cars.
In the second project, concourses are adding some 39 new gates; creating space for more
passengers and more planes.
Jim: 05:06: we have Vision 100, which is really aimed at preparing all the different parts
so that we're able to handle all the passengers.…A lot of the capacity in our terminal to get
people to the gates.
We'll be increasing our security checkpoints by over 60%...
The Great Hall work is being done in three phases.
Each aims to enhance airport security, improve operational efficiency, and increase capacity.
Phase one was already completed in late 2021 and created nearly 3,000 square metres of
additional space for the Jeppesen terminal.
It also modernised the check-in space by installing 86 self bag-drop units
‘But Phase 1 of the Great Hall didn’t come without a great deal of pain for air
travellers’ ‘You have to just be willing to read the
signs and ask questions’ ‘Pay attention and know where you’re going’
Similar to the challenges seen in the airport’s original construction, the project hit some
turbulence early on.
‘Phase One’s Completion is nearly 2 years behind schedule’
According to a report filed by Great Hall Partners – the contractors in charge of
the project – the delays were down to the concrete.
The material found in the terminal was weaker than expected and could not bear the weight
of equipment.
Due to safety concerns, construction was halted completely.
But when it was tested further by the airport, no safety issues were found – a load of
back and forth was set off between the contractors and the airport, and the internet got a whole
new pile of fodder for its conspiracies.
Jim Starling, Chief Construction and Infrastructure Officer,
08:33 the original Great Hall Project was going to be completed through a public private
partnership.
And that contract ended up being terminated….And so now we're moving into the program where
we are using a concessionaire.
That concessionaire is Hensel Phelps - who was brought in to complete the project instead.
In 2021, phase two finally took off and that looks set to finish by 2024.
This phase includes redesigning a new security checkpoint with improved technology.
Much like European airports, the updated plan will send smaller groups of 30-40 people through
17 lanes of security, instead of all queuing up in one long line.
Additionally, the balcony of the Great Hall will be extended out to create more space.
Meanwhile, it wasn’t until 2022 that the city’s council approved the third and final
phase of the project.
Phase three will add yet another security checkpoint and new check-in areas for all
remaining airlines.
It’ll also upgrade facilities such as bathrooms, floors, and lighting.
Overall, the airport hopes the final project will be wheels-up by 2028.
Like most construction projects, the renovations at the Denver Airport have been pretty noticeable.
‘Walls are being torn out, retail stores moved, and some escalators aren’t even there
anymore.
This is what it looks like in the airport’s construction zone.’
Giant white walls block off sections of the terminal’s ongoing work and nothing sets
off the conspiracy theorists quite like that.
But instead of letting the rumours hold it back, Denver is taking advantage.
Stephanie Figueroa Public Information Officer: 18:45
our former CEO, Kim Day, she loved that we could show some personality through that.
And yeah, we just we wanted to do something fun and creative to talk about the construction,
and we like to embrace the fun side of things.
So we developed a campaign around the the conspiracies to go in the Great Hall.
Plastered along these white walls are quirky posters alluding to the airport’s conspiracy
theories.
There’s even that talking gargoyle that interacts with passengers.
‘It’s because of the conspiracy!’
‘Oh it’s because of the conspiracy!
Look at me!
I’m a little know it all!
The marketing stunt has proved successful for the airport.
According to the Public Relations team, these efforts have resulted in over $1.5M worth
of publicity.
Of course if you were sitting on the actual Illuminati headquarters then a fun little
media campaign like this would be a great way of throwing people off the scent.
You won’t be surprised to learn that the official line in response to these conspiracies
is all a bit dull.
The artwork is just artwork and the odd symbols merely represent the idea of a new international
and global airport.
And as for the tunnels…
Stephanie: 20:12 really, our tunnels are just to get baggage through to the airport and
across our concourses.
It's kind of just our mode of transportation underground and getting those baggage carts.
Of course Stephanie would say that, because that’s what she wants us to think.
And when pressed further about any other theories…
Stephanie: 00:22:05 I cannot speak on that.
…I will neither confirm nor deny.
Together, the gate expansion and Great Hall projects hope to aid the Denver airport as
passenger influx increases over the next few years.
Jim 11:38: We're also looking at additional runway capacity.
So we currently have six runways that are operating.
The original layout of the airport had 12 runways identified.
So we're just starting the environmental work to take a look at where to put that seventh runway in anticipating it would be needed within the next ten years.
In all, Denver seems to be on track to navigate its challenges and complete its work by 2028
ready for the first major meeting of the New World Order – we mean – increased passenger
capacity.
If I disappear in mysterious circumstances after this video then please never stop asking
questions until you find the truth.
If you enjoyed this video and would like to get more from the definitive video channel
for construction, subscribe to The B1M.