Even though the streets are filled with ghouls in search of treats, Denver police say it’s the adults — not the kids — that frighten them on Halloween. Especially when the holiday falls on a Sunday.
“With three nights, that means a lot more alcohol than we’d have on a weeknight or even a Friday or Saturday night,” said Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson. “Our advice is to play it safe, don’t drink and drive and stay off the streets later at night unless you need to be there.”
Denver police don’t keep separate statistics on Halloween crimes but, anecdotally, it’s not an extraordinary night for crime, he said, adding “but we’ll have adequate patrols all weekend.”
To help keep kids safe but entertained, many local community organizations, businesses and law enforcement agencies will provide treats and Halloween events for kids this weekend. Among them:
• The Denver Police Department’s Halloween party is from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the District 6 headquarters, 1566 Washington St. Besides candy and cops, the party includes McGruff the Crime Dog and cool cars and crime labs for children to explore.
• Businesses along Mainstreet and Pikes Peak Drive in Parker will hand out treats to all costumed visitors, and there also will be stage games and activities with costumed entertainers from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
• The Eastridge Recreation Center in Highlands Ranch will offer candy and events for kids 12 and younger, including a pumpkin while supplies last, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $1 per trick-or-treater. The rec center is at 9568 S. University Blvd.
• Weekend-long events are planned in Boulder, including the “Creatures of the Night” Halloween carnival at the South Boulder Recreation Center, open to children 7 and younger for $5 a child; the Children’s Halloween concert at Farmer’s Market, 1770 13th St., beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by Dinosaur Days at Chautauqua trailhead at 900 Baseline Road, from noon to 4 p.m.; and Sunday’s Munchkin Masquerade on the Pearl Street Mall from 2 to 5 p.m., with candy and entertainment for costumed kids.
For children taking to the Front Range streets Sunday, this year the daylight temperature promises to be 10 degrees warmer than average, with the afternoon high forecast at 64 degrees. But temperatures could slip into the low 40s or upper 30s after dark, so parents should dress kids appropriately, according to the National Weather Service.
The holiday is one of Colorado’s most difficult to dress for (in terms of the weather, not just disguises) because of its unpredictability. In 2008, for instance, the high on Oct. 31 was 78 degrees. In 2002, the high was just 19 degrees, with an overnight low of 15 accompanied by 2 inches of snow, according to National Weather Service records.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
