By Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media

“Go directly to Jail. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200.” That dreaded landing spot on the monopoly board game became a reality for us at the MONOPOLY LIFESIZED Travel Edition game now open at 407 S. Broadway (Broadway & Alameda).

This super fun life sized game pits four teams of four members against each other in a quest to obtain the most value in money and property. Each team member has a role to play. One is the captain, the other roles the dice, another is the realtor and the last is the contractor. Each group is assigned a token that represents their group. We were the stegosaurus,  a four-legged, armored dinosaur from the late Jurassic period. There are a couple of hosts that explain the rules and keep the game moving.

I was surprised to learn that there are over 1,700 Monopoly versions, including licensed and localized editions, and the number is constantly growing. Some Monopoly games include Barbie, Beatles and a Cheaters edition that comes with handcuffs if you get caught cheating. (see photo gallery below). There’s also a Denver edition, Denver-Opoly, that includes Wash Park, Red Rocks and Coors Field. Monopoly has been sold in 114 countries and translated into 47 languages.

MONOPOLY LIFESIZED  comes to Denver direct from London where it is a very popular attraction. It is making its highly anticipated international tour debut with its brand-new Travel Edition at DCPA Off-Center for a limited run. It is an interactive way to play the world’s favorite board game in an exhilarating 70-minute experience.

Our group started out well landing on a coveted property. We were required to enter a private room associated with that property to engage in a brain teaser with video instructions and hints that would reward us with the deed to that real estate if we figured it out in the alloted time. No luck.

Each property, utility and railroad has a secret room. There are videos and instructions to help you figure out the brain teasers. But you are on the clock. Maybe three to five minutes to figure it out.

A couple of the other groups succeeded and quickly had property. On our next roll, we landed on the Go To Jail square. Ugh. We were ushered into a jail cell with a small bunk bed and some books. Some graffiti was on each of the four walls that surrounded us. We had the option to pay a large bail or figure out a brain teaser that would get us out for free. We opted for the brain teaser. Bad choice. It was nerve racking. We almost had it figured out, but one team member got impatient, so we paid the bail. Meanwhile the other three teams were cashing in buying railroads and properties.

Still we hung in there. We collected “chance” cards that required us to figure out other brain teasers, which we did successfully that resulted in large cash rewards. And so the game went for everyone.

In the end, we had no property but lots of cash. The moderators announced the results from last place to first. Surely we were last. But no, not last. We were second place. We would have won had it not been for the bail we paid to get out of jail. Good thing there is a bar that is part of the event where you can celebrate your win or drown your sorrows if you lose.

Arrive 15-minutes prior to your start time to check in, place belongings in a locker, and use the restroom. Games will start promptly at your ticketed game time.

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HOURS
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00pm – 8:15pm
Friday: 2:00pm – 8:45pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 8:45pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 7:30pm