Stories of Change

A tattoo can represent many things.  

For some, it is a unique expression of self, a small slice of a personal story brought to vivid life in so many strokes of ink. For others, it is an act of self-empowerment, a creative manifesto in response to systems of inequity, or a first step in the sacred journey of individuation. For Mario Romero, owner of the private studio R3hab Ink Tattoo in Denver, Colorado, the art of ink means all of this and more, with one powerful emotion rising above the rest – hope. 

Inspired by his family history and personal health challenges, Mario began offering tip-only flash tattoo events for first responders during the COVID19 pandemic, as a way to give back to a community that consistently gives their all for others.  

The event has since expanded to involve physicians and healthcare workers as well, with proceeds donated to worthy causes across Colorado, including cancer research at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. 

“I lost my grandma to breast cancer when I was very young, and my stepmom is a breast cancer survivor,” Mario says. “She’s our family’s anchor, so it was very eye-opening when she was diagnosed. I knew the work being done for cancer research and treatment here at CU Anschutz was important.” 

During R3hab Ink’s pay-what-you-can appointments, Mario provides a safe oasis wherein each customer can find relief and hope, even for a moment, as they share the intimate experience of tattoos and conversation together. 

“These clients love having that opportunity to come in and talk one-on-one,” he says. “They’re often overwhelmed on the job or at the clinic, so I want to make them smile. Tattoos mean something; they carry weight. It’s about creating an experience that will help them know they’re not alone, because we’re all human and vulnerable.” 

In a world that feels increasingly divisive – and divided – Mario firmly believes in channeling his career success to change lives, to be a light in the darkness and “just a little bit of fresh air.” 

An Unexpected Journey

Born in 1989, Mario remembers a time when ink wasn’t always accepted. 

“Growing up, tattoos were really taboo for a while,” he says with a wry smile. 

Over the intervening decades, however, Mario watched as the art form slowly emerged from the shadows to become a unique conversation starter, thanks in large part to the rise of prominent figures such as Kat Von D. It was this shift in the tide of public perception that helped define Mario’s own journey. 

“By the time I got to college, I’d been going through some things. I was defiant, so I had my body fully tattooed.” 

An artist to his core, Mario originally enrolled at Metropolitan State University of Denver to become an art teacher but pivoted to an exercise science degree after his third year. Upon graduation, he took a job in glass construction for a period, during which time a persistent feeling of disconnect began to take hold. 

“I was an artist, but I wasn’t making art. I felt like I wasn’t being true to myself.” 

It was Mario’s brother who eventually suggested he return to his roots, to the medium he loved most: tattoos. 

“I completed my first tattoo on my brother in 2017. He asked me, ‘Why don’t you start tattooing? It would save us a lot of money,’” Mario recalls with a laugh. 

And so, he did. 

Converting the extra room in his apartment into a makeshift personal studio, Mario began offering free tattoos to customers, with the understanding that he was developing his skill in the process. 

Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for his designs to garner attention. When a client finally insisted on compensating Mario for his work, he relented, accepting the opportunity to turn his passion into a sustainable career.  

For the next three years, Mario continued to nurture his burgeoning tattoo clientele while balancing two other jobs. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he threw caution to the wind and transitioned to tattooing full-time. 

Where Generosity Meets Art

It’s a testament to Mario’s talent and dedication that his business thrived at a time when so much else in the world was brought irrevocably to a halt. Still, his path has not been without its challenges. Currently awaiting a liver transplant in what has been a prolonged medical battle, Mario has faced significant health struggles, including the debilitating effects of radiation treatment.  

During his toughest moments, when his ability to work was obliterated and the bills piled ever higher, hope bloomed through the support he received from others. Having been marked in a profound way by this experience, Mario embarked on a philanthropic journey that has been grounded firmly in community. 

“Being at rock bottom and still needing help is what inspired me,” he says. “There was a time in my life when everything was about me and all I did was take, but my perspective changed. Now, I want to provide some relief for people who are in a bind, because I’ve been there. Giving is so fulfilling.” 

Mario plans to continue his tip-only flash tattoo events in perpetuity. While each design does go out into the world as a conversation starter – and marketing tool – on the bodies of his clients, it is the human connection that is the abiding cornerstone of R3hab Ink. This element is what Mario Romero prizes most, far above any career success that could come his way. 

“Sometimes, I get discouraged because I want to do so much more,” he says earnestly. “But a $400 tattoo is something. In the end, it’s about putting yourself in others’ shoes and having grace for people. If R3hab Ink could grow to the point of being able to donate a $20,000 check someday, well, that would be more rewarding than any amount of money you could ever give me.” 

If you would like to make a gift to the University of Colorado Cancer Center for cancer research and treatment, please visit our online giving form or call 303-541-1290. If you would like to support the work of Mario Romero, you can schedule a tattoo appointment online and also purchase a R3hab Ink Tattoo T-shirt. All T-shirt proceeds will be donated to charitable causes.