Build Better Monsters

Are there no new monsters under the sun (or moon)? Or is it possible to create new types of monsters that no one has yet encountered even in the most terrifying of their reading/watching/gaming nightmares? From ancient aliens and bloodthirsty beasts to cursed cryptids and digitized demons, come discuss where monster media has been, where it's going...and where it might be hiding at this very moment.

VINCENT PRICE: MASTER OF MENACE,LOVER OF LIFE

Over the course of his 65-year career as one of the most iconic actors of the 20th century and the undisputed King of Horror, Vincent Price appeared on stage, film, radio, and television to great acclaim — earning a devoted fan base. But it was his ongoing advocacy in support of the arts that gave his life meaning and purpose. In this intimate glimpse at the man behind the mask, Vincent Price's daughter and biographer Victoria shares her father's recipes for living and anecdotes from his career, peppered with stories of Vincent's wit, wisdom, wicked sense of humor.

THEM: An Examination of Otherness in the Contemporary Horror Film

In the deepest, most primordial corners of our brain dwells one lurking thought from the time of the neanderthals: does that want to eat me? Millions of years of evolution later we as a species have functionally removed ourselves from the food chain, but that fear reamins locked away in the shadowy corners of our psyche that we try to avoid looking at tooclosely, and what better way to strike fear than to tickle that scared, animal part of the brain by showing it somethingit can't entirely relate to. The Monster isn't human, and we cannot determine whether or not it yearns for love, or for our flesh.

Enter the HeTerrorTopia

You’ve heard of utopias and dystopias—but are you ready to navigate the shadowy realms of heterotopias? Join us on a journey into the strange and layered spaces that exist between reality and imagination. We’ll examine the concept of heterotopias, trace their imprints across culture, cinema, and literature, and uncover how they manifest within the horror genre’s darkest corners. Armed with this insight, venture into our immersive follow-up workshop—an experiential expedition where theory comes alive in unsettling and unexpected ways. We dare you to enter.

The Anatomy and Psychology of Cults

A deep dive into the inner workings of religious cults. We will discuss the tactics used by cults as well as their ideal targets for recruitment and the strategies they employ to retain those members. Learn what the key identifiers of cult religions are and how to combat against them.

SAY YOU LOVE SATAN: Satanic Panic is back, baby!

Let's party like it's 1645! In 1645, a large witch hunt in England accused and executed hundreds of people. In 1985, there were 12,000 accusations of Satanism at all levels of government and culture. Here we are again, worried about Satan in 2025!

The Great Debate: Is Jaws A Horror Film?

A rowdy and raucous panel in the tradition of the Intelligence Squared Debates where we form two teams of two to argue the position. We have a pre-debate vote and a post-debate audience vote!

The Worst Horror Movies We Have Ever Loved...

Even the most devoted horror aficionados harbor secret affections for films that fail by conventional critical standards but succeed in capturing our hearts through sheer audacity, unintentional humor, or nostalgic connections. This panel offers a judgment-free zone to celebrate those delightfully terrible gems that we defend despite their obvious flaws, examining why certain "bad" horror movies become beloved cult classics while others are simply forgotten. The Castle of Horror team's chemistry and humor shine when unpacking these guilty pleasures, demonstrating how passionate disagreement about a film's merits can make for entertaining discussion.

Where No Creature Has Gone Before

To celebrate COFOH's five year mission let's take a look at some of the scariest, most bizzare creatures the late,great Gene Roddenberry could devise way back in the swinging 60s. No, no it's scary. It's not a puppy in a Halloween costume, he's a vicous widdle killer yes he is yes he is.

Bit Bot: Breathing New Life into Legendary IP

Bit Bot is a multimedia company dedicated to reimagining beloved franchises across bold, new formats. From video game development and horror film production to comics, graphic novels, soundtrack scoring, and collectible manufacturing, Bit Bot is a one-stop shop for immersive storytelling.

Our slate includes officially licensed projects such as Evil Dead 2, The Terminator, The Rocky Horror Show, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Cyberpunk 2077, alongside acclaimed indie titles like Deathgasm, True Believers, Terror in the Corn, and the highly anticipated reboot of Deathstalker starring Patton Oswalt and Daniel Bernhardt, co-produced by Slash of Guns N’ Roses.

Bit Bot is co-owned by Klayton (Celldweller/Scandroid)—whose music credits span horror and genre films like Malignant, Hellraiser: Hellworld, The Hills Have Eyes 2, and games like Dead Rising—and Joshua Viola, bestselling author of Soul Reaver, True Believers, and Nightmares Unhinged, as well as producer on Deathgasm 2, Deathstalker, Shrine of Abominations, Shelby Oaks, Aliens Expanded, The Thing Expanded, TerrorBytes, and more.

Join us as we explore how Bit Bot is pushing the boundaries of multimedia IP and shaping the future of cross-platform storytelling.

The Horror Within: Monsters, Demons, and the Shadows of Human Hate

From the silver screen to the printed page, horror has long mirrored society’s deepest fears. But beyond the jump scares and gore lies a complex tradition of using monsters and demons to personify real-world trauma, prejudice, and systemic violence. This panel explores how horror media, films, literature, comics, and games, has reflected and refracted experiences of racism, xenophobia, and hate. Panelists will delve into how the monstrous "Other" is often a stand-in for marginalized identities, and how horror can both reinforce and challenge harmful narratives. We'll unpack the historical roots of these representations, discuss contemporary subversions, and examine how creators of color are reclaiming horror to tell truths about injustice, survival, and resistance. In revealing the real horrors behind the fiction, this panel invites audiences to confront not only what we fear, but why we fear it — and who pays the price.

I've Got An Idea For A Horror Story

Our panel of writers discuss from where and how they get their ideas for a horror story. What was the inspiration? What about the idea made it “horror”? What made them develop the idea into a story? What kind of a story: short fiction, novel, graphic novel, screenplay, poem? How do ideas change in the writing process?

Plot on the Spot

We'll outline a horror novel in 50 minutes, but we can't do it without you. Bring your creativity and suggestions, because this session is equal parts audience participation and writers-at-work, stitching a story together out of the skin, bones, and teeth of a room full of ideas!

How Did We Get to Our Final Destination?

The Final Destination Franchise has grossed over 650 Million without ever having a physical villain across all five movies. But how, compared to franchises with iconic slashers and manmade horrors, did it become such a powerhouse? Join Mile High Horrors in exploring how the franchise that asked the simple question about escaping fate drove that log truck all the way to the bank.

Gender, Race and Chainsaws

What do horror films teach us about the world we live in? Sociologist and filmmaker, Dr. Laura Patterson, will discuss how horror gives us a window into the stereotypes we hold about different members of our society – and how horror films can be used to both reinforce and challenge those stereotypes. Dr. Patterson teaches a course at the University of Colorado at Boulder called “Gender, Race, and Chainsaws,” which examines these issues.

Do You Like Scary Movies? Live Podcast

Bryan and Bob host a live edition of their Do You Like Scary Movies podcast, interviewing one or more convention guests before a live audience, with opportunities for audience members to participate in the interview.

Something to Hold On To

Ryan from Horrifying Hot Sauce will host a small panel discussion about why physical media is important and the advantages of having your own collection over having a streaming service. We will talk about the joy of finding a new favorite movie at the video store, boutique releases of older films, hard to find titles, and movies we wish had been remastered and re-released, but are languishing in physical media hell still.

"Welcome to Silent Hill. If the Creatures Don't Get You, the Fandom Will"

We’re here to take you on a head trip through not just the history of Silent Hill’s success, but to look at how the game’s reliance on surreal and psychological horror helped to shape a spectacularly weird and unsettling fandom. Come for the Kindergarten Cop references, stay to see if your favorite SH conspiracy theory makes an appearance.

Based on a True Story

Bryan Bonner and Bob Lewis of Rocky Mountain Paranormal and the Do You Like Scary Movies horror podcast present the true stories that inspired everyone’s favorite horror movies. Featured films include The Shining, The Exorcist, The Changeling, Poltergeist, The Amityville Horror, and even, believe it or not, The Blob, along with plenty more.

Monster Mash

Join local horror authors to find out what makes a good monster. We will begin with a Q&A that dissects what makes a monster. At the end, we will work together to build the best one.

Rocky Mountain Aliens and Colorado Cryptids

Bryan and Bob from Rocky Mountain Paranormal explain some of the alien, UFO, and cryptid stories from all around Colorado. Includes some investigative case files as well as some that remain the stuff of folklore and legend.

Midnight Campfire Ghost Stories

Bryan Bonner and Bob Lewis of Rocky Mountain Paranormal, in what’s become a COFOH tradition, host a late night of campfire ghost stories and adult beverages. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own ghost stories to share with the group, whether true or fictional.

Horror Cosplay: Bring It To Life

People have been bringing their favorite characters to life through costumes for years. And you too can make it happen! Whether it is simple Halloween costume, a full on professional cosplay, or just simply being interested in seeing how others do it. This is the place to learn about it and meet others who want to as well.

The Finale! True Believers #3 Comic Book

A Three-Issue Slasher Comic Book Series by Stephen Graham Jones, Joshua Viola, & Ben Matsuya, set at the Colorado Festival of Horror! Experience the world of horror fandom like never before with TRUE BELIEVERS, a gripping and grisly comic book mini-series co-written by New York Times bestselling Bram Stoker Award-winner Stephen Graham Jones and Denver Post bestselling writer Joshua Viola, with interior artwork by Ben Matsuya. The three-issue series, which delves into the world of slashers, cosplay, and fan conventions, is set at the Colorado Festival of Horror. Issue #3 premieres at COFOH 2025: Monsters! Come learn how writers Josh Viola and Stephen Graham Jones wrapped the story, which artists provided the awesome variant covers, and who made celebrity guest appearances in the final issue!

A Haunted Mind: A Discussion of the Similarities Between Mental Health and the Paranormal

More people believe in the supernatural than they do in mental health. A recent 2022 study showed that 69% of 1,000 Americans polled believed in ghosts,, and there are those who claim to have experienced them firsthand. Meanwhile, it's estimated that 23% of the American population are diagnosed with a significant mental health issue like Major Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Schizophrenia, or Bipolar. Around the same number of American adults actively seek mental health treatment.

This panel, led by a licensed therapist (LPC with two Master's Degrees in clinical counseling, 20 years of clinical experience), would explore the differences between the paranormal and mental health and what to look for when investigating or experiencing claims of activity. Panelists explore ethics and cultural concerns when determining certain factors. While it takes postgraduate education credentials to diagnose and treat, the audience hears the discussion and can form an informed opinion on how to determine paranormal experiences.

DARKNESS FALLS ACROSS THE LAND: THE PRICE OF FEAR

According to an annual study, fear is taking a "larger and larger role in American life". Americans are “afraid of more things than they used to be. . . and they’re more afraid of those things than they used to be.” At the same time, horror movies have tripled in market share and popularity in a decade. In this interactive session, Victoria Price — daughter of King of Horror Vincent Price — dives into her father's assertion that "it's as much fun to scare as to be scared" by exploring the connections between fear, politics, pop culture, and the press — as well as humor and, ultimately, love.

Metaphor as Monster: Elevated Horror- A New Wave or Old Hat

It's one of the oldest adages about writing: you learn more about the author than the subject. The monster is never just a monster. Sometimes the monster is never just the metaphor. What can we learn from examining the monster, what the monster represents, and what the author is subconciously afraid of. And no, A24 didn't invent this sort of thing.

Navigating Disabilities in Horror

Take a look at how the depiction of disabilities in horror is changing. Join local horror authors as we discuss the historical representation of disabilities, how it's evolved, and where it's headed.

Wrap Up 2025

Another year come and gone and another chance to look back at the films released since last time we were together. Join us as we discuss, and talk... and talk about the horror films of 2025 so far (and a little chunk at the end of 2024) followed by Jack Hanley's superlatives to get us all thinking about their impact on the art of film as a whole.