Costumed critters conquer cold in quest for Old Colorado City candy

       Unfazed by the day’s chill, a flock of young trick-or-treaters
looks for the next candy location along the south side of
Colorado Avenue’s 2400 block during the annual Halloween Safe Treats in Old Colorado City Oct. 31.
Westside Pioneer photo More than 1,000 trick-or-treaters defied near-freezing temperatures to turn Old Colorado City into Halloween Town Oct. 31.
       “They started trickling in about 3 o'clock, and by 4 the streets were packed,” said Old Colorado City business owner Judy Kasten, who works with her daughter and business partner, Lori Kasten, to organize the annual “Safe Treats.” The event consists of two hours of costumed urchins gathering candy along Colorado Avenue between 24th and 27th streets, followed by a costume contest in a local tavern.
       “There were some great hand-made costumes this year,” Lori commented. “One was a little bubble bath. Another was a little boy with a headless mannequin on his shoulders, so his own head looked like it was on a platter.” Kirstin Harbert of the Widefield High Debating Team (which
had been given a stipend to help hand out candy to kids)
 tries to convince a cautious young trick-or-treater she's a
good demon during the Halloween Safe Treats in Old Colorado City Oct. 31.
Westside Pioneer photo
       The event was different this year in that all the money had to be raised from private donations - because of a tight budget with the Old Colorado City Associates (OCCA) merchants group, which normally kicks in $1,500. The result was $2,200 in cash donations, plus the value of several hundred dollars more in toys and gift certificates, Lori Kasten said.
       Much of the money went to buy candy to supplement what shop owners themselves were handing out. “We want to thank all of the businesses on the avenue that handed out goodies,” Judy Kasten said.
       As for the chilly weather, she thinks it was a non-issue, and that Safe Treats had more kids than ever. “I think it grows in popularity every year,” she said.
       “Kids never get cold,” Lori Kasten said. “As long as there's candy, they don't care.”

Westside Pioneer article