Tattoos, piercings, pinups and more: The NoCo Tattoo Convention brings it all to three-day convention

May 20—Over the years, tattoos have become a common sight on the bodies of people of all ages, races, backgrounds and careers.

Some people get a tattoo to signify a cause like breast cancer or autism, while others have tattoos that pay tribute to loved ones or friends that have died. Then, there are the people who got inked with something odd or random just to say they have a tattoo.

No matter what the tattoo, there's sure to be an interesting story behind it.

The NoCo Tattoo Convention is bringing tattoo fans and artists of all ages together to celebrate and acknowledge the art of tattooing in a three-day event at The Ranch Events Complex. The event will be the first large tattoo convention to take place in northern Colorado.

Convention organizers, Rito Ramirez and Hilda Arellano, have teamed up with local tattoo shops, vendors and tattoo industry leaders to bring the convention to NoCo.

Organizing a tattoo convention is second nature for Ramirez an Arellano since they also are respectively president and vice president of the Colorado Tattoo Convention and Expo and host that event which place in the fall in Denver.

The Denver convention and expo draws hundreds of tattoo artists from across the U.S. and the world for three days of competitions, live tattooing and seminars along with thousands of tattoo fans and spectators attending a variety of activities, demonstrations and shows.

Ramirez and Arellano wanted to bring a smaller version of the Denver convention to northern Colorado to help shine a light on tattoo artists in the region and the amazing work they do.

While the duo have been working to bring the NoCo Tattoo Convention to Loveland, the pandemic put a hold on the timeline for the inaugural event.

"We felt that northern Colorado has a lot of shops, but there's a lot of non-communication between the shops so they don't really know each other as well as big players in the industry like vendors, distributors, tattoo supply companies and manufacturers," Ramirez said. "This is a great way for them to meet these people in the industry and our focus for this convention is on Colorado artists and the region."

Around 70% of the artists at the convention will be from Colorado with the other 30% of artists coming in from out of state or out of the country.

"When we do our shows, we want to show off Colorado so we generally cherry pick a lot of the vendors and local pinups and fashion designers. We do go through the community first then we go outside of the community to other states or areas," Arellano said. "We want people to see what Colorado has to offer."

Attendees will be able to see artists participating in different styles of tattoo competitions as well.

Some of competitions that will be featured at the tattoo convention include:

* Best Pop Culture Tattoo

* Best Horror Tattoo

* Best Black and Grey Sleeve

* Best of Day

* Best New School Tattoo

* Best Water Color

* Best Mandala Tattoo

* Best Neo Traditional Tattoo

If people are looking to get inked, they will have the opportunity to do so at the convention.

"We recommend people go the first day, look around and talk to the different artists and get a feel for the artists," Ramirez said. "And if you see an artist that you like and you want a tattoo, if it's reasonable and they have the time, they will certainly tattoo you at the convention.

"If it's something really intricate, they will let you know and you can set up an appointment with them."

Some of the tattoo shops that will be at the convention showcasing their portfolios and doing live tattooing include Ohana Ink from Wyoming, Red Letter Tattoo out of Loveland, Rebel Muse Tattoo from Denver and Metamorphosis Tattoo from Lyons.

La Salle tattoo shop, 85 South Tattoo and owner Jay Bunner, is one of the sponsors for the tattoo convention. Bunner and his partner, Ax, and apprentice Shayne will be in attendance doing live tattooing, participating in competitions and offering body piercing to those interested in getting some new hardware.

"I've been to conventions before and I hated dragging all my stuff over, tattooing the public with my back to them, if I didn't have something, I was out of luck because I'm not in my shop. I might as well skip the hassle and just stay in my shop for that day," Bunner said. "So when Hilda asked me if I wanted a booth, I was like, 'I think I would rather go up and participate'. And that's when she offered the sponsorship opportunity."

Bunner will be entering a large leg piece, consisting of a brightly colored Japanese-inspired dragon that he has been working on over the past few weeks into one of the competitions at the convention.

"I want to go and come back and fill my trophy case," Bunner said. "And next year, I will be known as an award-winning shop."

Another goal of the convention is for attendees to "come and hang around" rather than just walk through a leave, Arellano said.

"We want them to be there and be part of everything we have to offer," she said.

Along with tattoo artists and body modification specialists, the convention will feature a pinup contest, charity car show, sideshow, art show and more.

The tattoo convention is open to all ages and is family friendly. Pets are not allowed in or on The Ranch Events Complex or inside the buildings.

The Ranch Events Complex prohibits outside alcohol, food or beverages, weapons of any kind, tablets or computers, video cameras or recording devices as well as many other items. To see a complete list of prohibited items, go to https://bit.ly/3FScjIh.

The complex also has a clear bag policy and attendees may bring one large clear bag- either at one-gallon Ziploc style bag or a 12-inch by 6-inch by 12-inch clear bag — and one small clutch that is no larger than 4.5-inches by 6.5-inches. All bags are subject to search.

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If you go:

What: NoCo Tattoo Convention

When: noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday

Where: The Ranch Events Complex, 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland

Cost: Day passes are $15 per person, age 11 and older, weekend passes are $25 per person, age 11 and older, children age 10 and younger are free and veterans with a military ID will receive free admission.

Parking: The Ranch Events Complex offers free parking

For more information, go to www.coloradotattooconvention.com

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