Old Colorado City streets fill up with candy day costumes

An estimated 1,200 children (nearly all in costume) and adults (not as many but still a lot) - strolled through Old Colorado City snagging candy the afternoon of Oct. 31 for the annual Halloween Safe Treats. Erica Buelow (second from left), owner of the Earthen Artisan House in the 2600 block of Colorado Avenue, was a queen bee (her business symbol) for Safe Treats in Old Colorado City Oct. 31. Her "flowers" are (from left) Katie Kurschner, Shanna McCann and Ledah Klutinoty. Westside Pioneer photo        “It was a good amount of people, not too crowded and it was a beautiful day,” enthused event coordinator Lori Kasten. “Look at all those memories we were making.”        Although not roped off, the 2½-hour trick-or-treating area mainly covered the blocks (and side streets) of Colorado Avenue between 24th and 27th streets. Cake walks and other games took place in the Old Town Plaza parking lot (closed for the occasion) at 25th and Colorado.        Many merchants handed out candy in front of their stores, with their efforts aided or augmented by recruited volunteers. Among these were students from Coronado High School who also helped out as crossing guards and in running the plaza games.        Asked about interesting costumes, Kasten recalled being impressed by “Despicable Me” minions, several little angels, “the cutest little dracula” and a young boy who was essentially wearing a fire engine made out of an upside-down plastic box. “Toward the end, I heard him say, 'Take it off, Mom.'” Westside Pioneer article At Safe Treats... LEFT: Volunteer Pat Thomas (left, in 1950s-era garb), helps trick-or-treaters in the 2500 block. RIGHT: Giving out candy in front of the All That Glitters shop where she works, a dapper Lisa Jones meets a pair of fellow fashionistas (Halloween style). BOTTOM: A haunted tableau, abetted by a “witch” (Dee Warner, seated, of the adjacent Funky Caravan store). Westside Pioneer photos