JEFFERSON COUNTY — One of many signs of fall in south metro Denver is that the Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms’ corn maze and haunted maze are open.
This year’s festivities include a 7-acre maze in the shape of a farmer and some farm animals to accompany the site’s rebranding as an agricultural experience in south Jefferson County.
“We have such an active agriculture presence,” said Erin Bird, spokeswoman for Denver Botanic Gardens. “Along with that, we’ve really expanded our horticultural programs.”
This year’s corn maze and other fall festivities opened for the season last month and will run until Nov. 1. The maze is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with some exceptions later in October.
In addition to the corn maze, the weekends are also filled with barrel train rides, hay rides, a jump pillow, cornhole games, giant Jenga and food vendors.
This year’s Corn Stalkers Haunted Maze is separate from the nearby larger maze and is part of the Dead Zone ticket package. That package also includes fireside ghost stories and access to Reapers Ranch, a haunted house at Hildebrand Ranch Park, next door to the gardens.
“There’s some scary stuff going on over there,” events manager Chris Warford said.
It’s been a strong start to the season so far, according to site director Larry Vickerman, who said about 8,000 people have come through since Sept. 27 and he expects to see between 40,000-45,000 people total by season’s end.
“It gets busy as October goes on, especially around our Pumpkin Festival,” he said.
The Pumpkin Festival runs Friday through Sunday and the corn maze will have extended hours over the course of the event.
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms is also running a blackout maze in the evening at the corn maze.
While it hasn’t been promoted in the past, the blackout maze has always been there, according to Warford.
The maze itself is not well lit, so this blackout maze is a way to encourage people coming late to bring flashlights. It’s a good alternative to those wishing to go at night, but not interested in the haunted maze. Glow sticks are available on site.
Entry into the blackout maze is available separately or as part of the Dead Zone package.
While last year’s maze took the form of a butterfly to signal the opening of the butterfly pavilion at the farms, this year Vickerman is calling the design “Farmer Phil.”
The most notable new event this year is the Rocky Mountain Zombie Prom on Halloween night at the barn at the gardens.
Warford said the event is sponsored by Coors and tickets must be bought online prior to Oct. 31. The event is for ages 21 and up and there are three different ticket packages priced at $50, $75 and $100. Dinner is included, as well as access to some other activities.
Professional makeup work is available and a prom king and queen will be crowned.
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or @joe_vacc
Corn Maze and Blackout Maze
Hours vary week to week. Costs range from $8-$13. For more information, go to .
Dead Zone
Hours vary. Cost is $25 (or $35 for fast pass). Recommended for ages 13 and up.
Rocky Mountain Zombie Prom
Oct. 31, 7-11 p.m. Tickets start at $50 and are available at
