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Real-life Denver clowns say they're losing work over 'It' movie

Posted at 11:03 PM, Sep 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-09 01:27:50-04

DENVER -- The horror movie "IT" may win the box office this weekend, but it's already having a negative impact on Colorado clowns and their livelihoods. 

"Our work has gone down. People have not asked us to do birthday parties," professional clown, Rosalinda Trevino, told Denver7.

The movie, based on a novel by Stephen King, chronicles a small town being terrorized by a clown. 

The World Clown Association released this stance ahead of the movie’s release, saying in part: “People dressed as horror clowns are not 'real clowns.' They are taking something innocent and wholesome and perverting it to create fear in their audience.”

"'It' makes us sad, because we want to make people laugh, especially kids," Trevino said. "For adults to keep us away from children, it's not fun to do anymore."

Stephen King responded to this idea on Twitter, saying, “the clowns are pissed at me. Sorry most are great but kids have always been scared of clowns.”

The "It" movie comes after last fall's scary clown sightings, including here in Colorado. Local clowns say their line of work has been devastated. 

"This past year it's been zero. Nobody has called. Nobody is interested," Trevino said. 

Colorado Clown Alley is hosting a clown education day for the public on Saturday, including how-to workshops and ways for people to learn about real clowns and possibly change the perception of "scary clowns." More details can be found here.