Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs will be extra wicked these next couple of months, as witches and warlocks make their annual paddleboarding pilgrimage in honor of the spooky season.
Witch paddles — events in which people dress in costumes to paddleboard, kayak and canoe — have become increasingly popular in autumn, bewitching bodies of water from Morro Bay, Calif., to Portland and Vancouver. Last year, witchy Coloradans got in on the action with a meetup at Chatfield State Park in Littleton, hosted by a group called the SUP Sisters.
Anna Marie Madai helped organize a second witch paddle at Chatfield State Park in 2021, which saw about 80 participants. But this year’s encore garnered so much interest — more than 13,000 people RSVPed on Facebook — that the city of Littleton required organizers to pull permits and staff security and medical personnel for the Oct. 23 event. That’s why, in addition to the $10 state park entry fee, attendees are being asked to purchase a $30 ticket to help cover the costs.
The event has so far sold 100 tickets, Madai said.
“You’ll get a shirt and photos, and this covers insurance, EMS, rangers on the water, etc.,” she said. “All leftovers will be used to make next year bigger and better.”
Glenwood Springs resident Tanya Barnicoat isn’t sure where this trend started, but loved the idea and did a solo witch paddle in 2021. This year, she decided to organize a group event on Sept. 24 at Lake Dillon.
If you’re wondering what the point is, it’s simple: To get outside and have a few cackles along the way. “Our goal is to just get out there and have some fun,” she said.
To attend a witch paddle, all you need is a paddleboard, kayak or canoe, a life jacket and, of course, a costume. And if you have a paddle partner, such as a dog, cat or chicken, they’re welcome, too.
Cast your spell at these witch paddles in the fall. (All events are subject to change based on the weather.)
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Brittani Carmona, center with green face, joined other members of the SUP Sisters paddling group dressed up as witches to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park in Littleton on Oct. 3, 2021.
LITTLETON, CO – OCTOBER 3: Connie Ballard, center, joined other members of the SUP Sisters paddling group, tp paddle dressed up as a witch to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park on October 3, 2021 in Littleton, Colorado. The group meets up to paddle together in a variety of areas. This was the first year that they decided to dress up as witches for the upcoming holiday. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
LITTLETON, CO – OCTOBER 3: A member of the SUP Sisters paddling group paddles dressed up as a witch to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park on October 3, 2021 in Littleton, Colorado. The group meets up to paddle together in a variety of areas. This was the first year that they decided to dress up as witches for the upcoming holiday. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
LITTLETON, CO – OCTOBER 3: Brittani Carmona, left with green face, and Megan Reid, right, join other members of the SUP Sisters paddling group dressed up as witches to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park on October 3, 2021 in Littleton, Colorado. The group meets up to paddle together in a variety of areas. This was the first year that they decided to dress up as witches for the upcoming holiday. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Katiera Edward, a member of the SUP Sisters paddling group, paddles dressed up as a witch to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park in Littleton on Oct. 3, 2021.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Kyle Breco, left, and Angela Burns, right, wear witches hats as they dressed up to join other members of the SUP Sisters paddling group to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park in Littleton on Oct. 3, 2021.
LITTLETON, CO – OCTOBER 3: Connie Ballard, left, and Elizabeth Castle, right, members of the SUP Sisters paddling group, paddle dressed up as witches to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park on October 3, 2021 in Littleton, Colorado. The group meets up to paddle together in a variety of areas. This was the first year that they decided to dress up as witches for the upcoming holiday. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
LITTLETON, CO – OCTOBER 3: Connie Ballard, left, and Elizabeth Castle, right, members of the SUP Sisters paddling group, paddle dressed up as witches to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park on October 3, 2021 in Littleton, Colorado. The group meets up to paddle together in a variety of areas. This was the first year that they decided to dress up as witches for the upcoming holiday. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
About 50 members of the SUP Sisters paddling group dressed up as witches to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park in Littleton on Oct. 3, 2021.
LITTLETON, CO – OCTOBER 3: Megan Reid, left, and Brittani Carmona, right, with green face, join other members of the SUP Sisters paddling group dressed up as witches to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park on October 3, 2021 in Littleton, Colorado. The group meets up to paddle together in a variety of areas. This was the first year that they decided to dress up as witches for the upcoming holiday. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Katiera Edward, a member of the SUP Sisters paddling group, paddles dressed up as a witch to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park on October 3, 2021 in Littleton, Colorado. (Photo by Helen Richardson, The Denver Post)
LITTLETON, CO – OCTOBER 3: Eileen Stewart, right, on her knees, Holly Steinke, center, and MaryAnne Garland, left, joined other members of the SUP Sisters paddling group and dressed up as witches to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park on October 3, 2021 in Littleton, Colorado. The group meets up to paddle together in a variety of areas. This was the first year that they decided to dress up as witches for the upcoming holiday. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A member of the SUP Sisters paddling group paddles dressed up as a witch to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park in Littleton on Oct. 3, 2021.
LITTLETON, CO – OCTOBER 3: Katiera Edward, a member of the SUP Sisters paddling group, paddles dressed up as a witch to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park on October 3, 2021 in Littleton, Colorado. The group meets up to paddle together in a variety of areas. This was the first year that they decided to dress up as witches for the upcoming holiday. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Stacie Jones, a member of the SUP Sisters paddling group, paddles dressed up as a witch to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park in Littleton on Oct. 3, 2021. The group meets up to paddle together in a variety of areas. This was the first year that they decided to dress up as witches for the upcoming holiday.
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Lake Dillon – Sept. 24
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Giberson Bay, Frisco
Other details: Parking is $8 at the Giberson Bay day-use area. Several members of the group are headed to Breckenridge Oktoberfest after the paddle. Find more information at facebook.com/events/587956302977940/.
Grand Junction – Oct. 22
When: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Grand Junction Adventures, 1695 Las Colonias Landing, Grand Junction
Other details: Paddlers will put in at the Las Colonias boat ramp on the Colorado River and paddle to the Blue Heron boat ramp. This event is hosted by Grand Junction Adventures, which will have some shuttles running from the Blue Heron boat ramp back to Las Colonias park, but paddlers may also need to coordinate additional shuttle options. Find more information at facebook.com/events/1517489118721507/.
Chatfield State Park – Oct. 23
When: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Chatfield State Park, 11500 Roxborough Park Road, Littleton
Other details: If you don’t already have a state parks pass, there’s a $10 entry fee to the park plus you need a $30 ticket for the event. Chatfield has several parking lots near the marina. The group will launch in Roxborough Cove. More information at witchpaddle.com.
