Editors Note: The documentary video embedded above features an interview with Pam Denahy, Director of Tourism and Economic Development for the City of La Junta. The video examines how Tarantula Fest has grown from a tourism initiative into an annual event focused on wildlife education, community engagement and visitor experiences in southeastern Colorado.
Each Fall, visitors travel to La Junta to experience Tarantula Fest, an event centered on the seasonal appearance of tarantulas in the region surrounding the city. Organized in conjunction with local businesses, community organizations and tourism efforts, the festival has become apart of a broader initiative aimed at educating visitors about the area’s natural resources while promoting local tourism.
According to Pam Denahy, the event grew from an effort to answer questions visitors had about tarantulas and the ecompassing landscape. The city launched online resources related to tarantula tourism, and the interest expanded after media coverage increased awareness of the phenomenon.
“We’ve really led with responsible and respectful visitation,” Pam Denahy said in an interview. “So we really are trying to educate people about tarantulas on our land.”
The festival is tied to the mating season of tarantulas found throughout portions of southeastern Colorado. During this period, male tarantulas leave their burrows in search of females. As a result, visitors often have opportunities to observe the animals in areas near La Junta and the adjacent grasslands. According to Denahy, one of the most common misconceptions is the belief that the spiders are migrating from one location to another.
“People really are interested to find out it’s actually the mating season,” she said. “All of the tarantulas live here. They’re not coming from another location.”
Festival activities include community events, educational opportunities, vendor booths and public gatherings that brings residents and visitors together. Information about festival programming, guided tours and event schedules is available at the Visit La Junta website. The festival is also connected to tourism opportunities involving the nearby Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche Grasslands, and regional attractions like Bent’s Old Fort.
Denahy said organizers are focused on managing future growth while maintaining the educational mission of the event and protecting the valuable environment.
As attendance continues to draw visitors to southeastern Colorado, organizers say the event serves as an opportunity to introduce guests to the regions natural landscape and local community. According to Denahy, visitors frequently comment on the atmosphere of the city and the experience of spending time in a rural community during one of the area’s most distinctive annual events.
