Nearly everyone has an embarrassing moment or memory that they wish die (like the popularity of Pokémon Go… and the fact that you actually played Pokémon Go). These feelings of embarrassment and shame happen to the best of us, including the great state of Colorado! From an elaborate homemade balloon hoax to backing out of the Olympics, the Centennial State has had its fair share of humiliations, including:
- Balloon Boy
YouTube/PoliticsNewsPolitics It was October 15, 2009 when the world was watching Colorado for what was quite possibly one of the craziest news events of the year. A 6-year-old boy had reportedly taken flight in the family’s homemade hot air balloon, later to be found hiding in the attic. A few short hours later, there was speculation that the parents had lied to investigators about the events and had staged the boy’s disappearance as a mere publicity stunt. Three days later, the parents of “Balloon Boy” were charged and not only spent time in jail, but were also sentenced to pay $36,000 in restitution.
- Super Bowl 48
Wikimedia Commons This one is still painful to talk about/re-live, as our beloved Denver Broncos were defeated 43-8. Shutters.
- The entire 2017 Broncos season
Wikimedia Commons No comment.
- Soloman the Owl, Attorney
Flickr/Aimee Ray In 2015, Aspen resident Charles Abbott showed up in court with his legal team, which consisted of both himself and his lawyer: a stuffed owl named Soloman. Despite Soloman being a “very sensitive guy, (with) law degrees from Yale, Harvard and Stanford,” his case (or lack thereof) was ignored by the judge.
- Mile marker 419.99
YouTube/Exploring The Obscure I’m not sure if this is embarrassing or just plain hilarious, but the state had to replace all the 420 mile markers with 419.99, as they were worried about mindless stoners stealing the otherwise common signs.
- When Colorado was slated to host the Olympics and backed out
Flickr/Peter Burgess It was 1970 when Colorado was awarded the coveted winter Olympics, which they ended up backing out of two years later when Denver rejected the funding of the multi-million dollar event. (Embarrassing or smart? You decide.)
- Blucifer
Flickr/Scott Beale …because nothing says “Welcome to Colorado” like a giant, terrifying, killer horse.
For more strange Colorado history, check out 11 Insane Things That Happened In Colorado You Won’t Find in History Books.
YouTube/PoliticsNewsPolitics
It was October 15, 2009 when the world was watching Colorado for what was quite possibly one of the craziest news events of the year. A 6-year-old boy had reportedly taken flight in the family’s homemade hot air balloon, later to be found hiding in the attic. A few short hours later, there was speculation that the parents had lied to investigators about the events and had staged the boy’s disappearance as a mere publicity stunt. Three days later, the parents of “Balloon Boy” were charged and not only spent time in jail, but were also sentenced to pay $36,000 in restitution.
Wikimedia Commons
This one is still painful to talk about/re-live, as our beloved Denver Broncos were defeated 43-8. Shutters.
No comment.
Flickr/Aimee Ray
In 2015, Aspen resident Charles Abbott showed up in court with his legal team, which consisted of both himself and his lawyer: a stuffed owl named Soloman. Despite Soloman being a “very sensitive guy, (with) law degrees from Yale, Harvard and Stanford,” his case (or lack thereof) was ignored by the judge.
YouTube/Exploring The Obscure
I’m not sure if this is embarrassing or just plain hilarious, but the state had to replace all the 420 mile markers with 419.99, as they were worried about mindless stoners stealing the otherwise common signs.
Flickr/Peter Burgess
It was 1970 when Colorado was awarded the coveted winter Olympics, which they ended up backing out of two years later when Denver rejected the funding of the multi-million dollar event. (Embarrassing or smart? You decide.)
Flickr/Scott Beale
…because nothing says “Welcome to Colorado” like a giant, terrifying, killer horse.
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