Foolish Colorado Bigfoot Hoax
Posted by: Loren Coleman on April 2nd, 2009
I really don’t enjoy April Fool’s Day because the problem of hoaxes in the field of cryptozoology is merely reinforced by activities of people trying to get attention on this stupid media day.
Here’s what a Colorado television station – KKTV had to say about one such hoax yesterday (I’m not interested in even posting the video):
Is Bigfoot walking around your backyard? A recent visitor to the Monument area is sharing what she captured on video, and saw with her own eyes.
A choppy, 15-second video clip depicts a typical day on Palmer Ridge, until things get interesting along the treeline.
A shadowy figure saunters into the frame, long arms swinging by his side.
Reportedly, it’s Bigfoot making a brief appearance near Monument.
“Never did believe it until I saw it for myself,” said Denise Plante. She spotted the big guy during a recent barbecue.
“We heard a noise, and thought maybe we should take a closer look,” Plante said.
11 News showed the video that’s been posted online to residents in the area.
“I saw something move,” said Kathy. “I seriously doubt it’s Bigfoot.”
It’s a hard sell for some.
“I don’t think it’s him. I’ve seen him. He’s a little shorter,” said Jim, an El Paso County resident.
Others could at least be swayed.
“That was him! I saw his long hair!” said Jim’s son Finn.
Despite compelling video, and a telltale footprint, the whole thing boils down to two words.
“April Fool’s!” Plante said.
Plante thought up the gag for her gig as a morning talk host on Denver’s KOSI 101, choosing a southern Colorado setting by doing some homework.
“A lot of people have witnessed Bigfoot at Pikes Peak, they claim,” she said.
That part of the Bigfoot story is true. Bigfoot researchers conducted expeditions in Colorado as recently as last August. But do believers think it’s possible he spends time further downhill?
“I think it’s cool!” said Cassie, who lives near Monument.
The whole truth may still be out there.
“We’ve been here a long time and I haven’t met him yet,” said Cassie’s mom. “But I’d like to.”
If you notice, most of the April’s Fools’ jokes are coming from media people, these days. Too bad they don’t spend this much energy on real cryptid stories!
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
Bigfoot is wearing a winter coat XD
I hate April Fools day so much, the jokes are always so lame and predictable.
Too bad they don’t spend that much energy on real news.
I don’t have a problem with this. They admitted it was a hoax and even brought attention to the fact that “a lot of people have witnessed Bigfoot at Pikes Peak.”
As cryptozoologists, and in the spirit of April Fool’s Day, I think we need to be able to laugh at ourselves every once in a while. I mean, we spend countless hours studying grainy video and blurry photographs, and embarking on major expeditions all in the search of “monsters” (as Monsterquest puts it).
I don’t think this hoax is particularly funny, but there’s no point in getting in a fuss about it. A sense of humor is a great asset, especially in this field.
lol the things people do when they are bored