Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostSelf-proclaimed Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson is pictured in his Woody Creek home near Aspen, Colorado Feb. 27, 1997.
Paul Conrad, The Aspen Times via APA Pitkin County sheriff's car blocks the driveway leading to the home of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson after calls were received Sunday evening Feb. 20, 2005, relating to a gunshot victim. Thompson was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound.
Paul Conrad, The Aspen Times via APFans and admirers gather to see the ashes of the late Hunter S. Thompson being shot from a 150 foot cannon above his Owl Farm home in Woody Creek, Colo., near Aspen Saturday evening August 20, 2005.
Ed Andrieski, Associated PressA bartender sets up his bar in a party tent for a memorial to Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson near his home at the Owl Farm in Woody Creek, Colo., on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005. Family and friends are to gather at the site Saturday night to pay tribute to Thompson. His ashes are to be spread by a fireworks projectile during the event. Thompson shot himself to death six months ago on Feb. 20 at age 67.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostBill Murray looks at art work that he is signing at the Hotel Jerome for the sendoff for Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson in Aspen, Colorado August 19, 2005.
Ed Kosmicki, Special to The Denver PostJimmy Ibbotson, of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame and a neighbor of Hunter S. Thompson when he was alive, serenades a couple dozen Gonzo journalism fans with a song he wrote for Hunter Thompson outside the Woody Creek Tavern, August, 19, 2005.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostGabe Johnson hangs out at Woody Creek Tavern, Saturday August 20, 2005. Johnson came from Washington state for the sendoff of Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson.
Ed Andrieski, Associated PressJuan Thompson son of Hunter S. Thompson, talked to reporters about his father at the Jerorme Hotel in Aspen, Colo., on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005. Family and friends are to gather at Thompson's home at the Owl Farm Saturday night to pay tribute to Thompson. His ashes are to be spread by a fireworks projectile during the event. Thompson shot himself to death six months ago on Feb. 20 at age 67.
Ed Andrieski, Associated PressRichard Gilmore, left, and Tom Bennie with Specialized Protective Services of Aspen, stand guard at the entrance to Hunter S. Thompson's Owl Farm in Woody Creek, Colo., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2005, where preparations are underway for Saturday's memorials service for Thompson. The memorial pictured in the background will be unveiled Saturday night and Thompson's ashes will be distributed by a fireworks projectile. As many as 250 family members and friends are expected to attend the by invitation only ceremony. Thompson shot himself to death six months ago on Feb. 20 at age 67.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostJohn Cusack, left, and Johnny Depp, far right, came to the Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Colo., to say good-bye to Hunter S. Thompson in a private ceremony, Saturday, March 3, 2005. The poplar journalist and author, who's work includes books like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," fatally shot himself in the head at his home near Aspen.
Peter Mountain, Thompson Family via APIn this handout image provided by the Thompson family fireworks carrying the ashes of the late Hunter S. Thompson explode over the top of his memorial on the Owl Farm in Woody Creek, Colo. Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005.
Paul Conrad, The Aspen Times via APAuthor and journalist Hunter S. Thompson gives a speech during a peace rally against the Iraqi War in Aspen, Colo., in this Feb. 2, 2003, file photo.
Photo courtesy of Bob BraudisBob Braudis, left, and Hunter Thompson, front. (copy from Braudis office picture) Braudis was the sheriff in Aspen for nearly a quarter of a century. During his run he became good friends with Hunter S. Thompson.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostBob Braudis, center, is having breakfast with Pitkin County Sheriffs Michael Buglione, left, and Joe Disalvo at Main Street Bakery & Cafe in Aspen. Braudis has been the sheriff in Aspen for nearly a quarter of a century; a former Dun and Bradstreet guy who dropped out and moved there to become a ski instructor and moved into law enforcement only to feed his two daughters as a single dad. During his run he became good friends with Hunter S. Thompson. He has been married three times and is currently involved with DeDe Brinkman, a former ski racer at CU. This year he decided not to run again for sheriff, citing the need to get out while there's still more life to be lived outside the office. Oct. 13, 2010.
Ed Andrieski, Associated PressAnita Thompson reads a passage from a book as she stands in the kitchen of her and her late husband, Hunter S. Thompson's home at the "Owl Farm" in Woody Creek, Colo., Monday, Aug. 15, 2005. This room, jammed with cooking utensils, writing mementos and a giant-screen TV, is where Hunter wrote books and articles and held court over an assemblage of friends and admirers. It is also where he shot himself to death six months ago on Feb. 20 at age 67.
Seth McConnell, The Denver PostAttendees snap up free posters inspired by Hunter S Thompson from the artist collective Threyda during the High Times Cannabis Cup at Denver Mart in Denver, Colorado on April 19, 2014. Event organizers are expecting 37,000 people to attend the two day cup in Denver.
Ed Kosmicki, Special to The Denver PostDEA Special Agent in Charge Jeffery Sweetin addresses Aspen city council about a recent drug raid in two restaurants while Anita Thompson (in red), wife of the late Hunter S. Thompson listens in the background, Jan. 17, 2006.
Christina Jensen, The Community Library via APAnita Thompson, left, is joined by Library Executive Director Jenny Emery Davidson, middle, and Program Manager Scott Burton as they pose with trophy antlers while returning them to the former home of writer Ernest Hemingway Aug. 5, 2016, in Ketchum, Idaho. Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson so admired the set of trophy elk antlers when he visited the central Idaho home of Hemingway, that he stole them. More than half a century later, The Community Library has returned the antlers.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostJeff Kass repositions an original Ralph Steadman drawing of Hunter S. Thompson that was given to him at Thompson's memorial Jan. 13, 2017.
Judy DeHaas, The Denver PostDave Adams, aka Hunter S. Thompson, makes sure kids get across the street safely during Boulder's Annual Munchkin's Masquerade along the Pearl Street Mall, Sunday, November 1, 2009. The event was rescheduled from October 29th due to heavy snow.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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Self-proclaimed Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson is pictured in his Woody Creek home near Aspen, Colorado Feb. 27, 1997.
ExpandBy Patrick Traylor | ptraylor@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
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As one of Colorado’s most famous writers, Hunter S. Thompson, the gonzo journalist and author of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” built a mythic persona for himself on his 42-acre Owl Farm in Woody Creek, near Aspen.


















