Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge | always free
The free Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City, Colorado (near Denver) is a beautiful and pristine National Wildlife Refuge, representing an impressive cleanup and conversion of a former weapons and rocket fuel processing facility. The views of the mountains from this perfect spot on the plains are quite impressive.
Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland (Annually in March)
2014's Frozen Dead Guy Days will be celebrated March 7 through March 9. The highlight of the event is really the Polar Plunge, where anyone can sign up to take a dive in a freezing pond. Some people do it for the thrill, some do it to raise money for charities, and some are just plain nuts. There is also a coffin race, hearse parade, music, and many other bizarre activities (frozen turkey bowling???). This is one of the most popular things to do in March for front range residents with cabin fever.
This is probably the wierdest festival I've ever heard of, even wierder than Manitou's fruitcake toss or Leadville's ski Joring. Come and learn about the history of the frozen dead guy and observe some of Nederland's finest citizens enjoying a day in the mountains.
Traffic can become a real problem for the small town so plan accordingly. Parking is available on the side streets but getting to them can take a while.
When:
March 7 - 9, 2014
Where:
The event is held in Nederland, Colorado (at the top of Boulder Canyon west of Boulder).
As more people down in town learn about this festival every year, it has grown from a small event for members of the mountain community to a really crowded winter festival for everyone in the front range. If the crowds don't bother you, come check it out:
Frozen Dead Guy Days Nederland Chamber web site: 
If you want to learn more before you commit to a trip to the mountains, read all about the frozen dead guy here:
Frozen Dead Guy Days Wiki:
Movies In the Park
Looking for a popular Denver attraction for the kids? The free Denver Movies in the Park are one of the top things to do in Denver with the family, and not to be missed if you're in Denver with kids.
Denver Cinco De Mayo Festival (May 3-4, 2014)
One of the best ways to experience Denver's rich Hispanic heritage is to visit the annual free Denver Cinco De Mayo Festival, one of the best things to do in Denver on a May weekend.
Mountain Fest
Mountain Fest. It’s as fun as it sounds.
Enjoy an afternoon of mountain-centric activities and discover all the exciting benefits of Colorado Mountain Club membership from noon to 4pm Saturday, March 25. This FREE event will be held at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street in Golden, Colorado. The festivities will kick off at noon featuring your 1st drink free from Upslope Brewing Company and Stem Ciders. Mountain Fest is the perfect way to get motivated and learn new skills and for spring and summer mountain adventures. This year’s event will feature, outdoor skills clinics, tours and a Beacon clinic in the American Mountaineering Museum, gear demos, open climbing , and CMC membership deals.
The highlight of the afternoon will be an expo featuring the CMC’s schools and courses: Wilderness Trekking School (WTS), Basic Mountaineering School (BMS), Fly Fishing School, Advanced Crevasse Rescue, Alpine Scrambling School, Intro to Hiking Safety, and Backpacking School. Volunteers will be on hand to give personal accounts about participating in CMC’s educational activities. Expo booths will also showcase CMC’s programs and initiatives: CMC’s Adventure Travel Program, Conservation, Youth Education Program (YEP), CMC Press, Denver Trails and how to get started Volunteering in the CMC. The membership booth will feature membership deals.
Free presentations and clinics will include: How to Properly Fit and Purchase Footwear by Adidas- Mountain Fest lead sponsor; Compass demo and clinic presented by Brunton- Mountain Fest sponsor; Climbing the 14ers; Rock Self Rescue; Avalanche Education; Wilderness First Aid; Ten Outdoor Essentials and Mountain Safety; Know Before You Go Avalanche Education; and a Highlight of the CMC’s Adventure Travel Trips from all over the world!
For a full schedule, please visit the CMC website at www.cmc.org/mountainfest
Don't miss this opportunity to experience the CMC for yourself or introduce friends and family to all the adventure the Club has to offer.
Community Car Show and Drag Race
The annual Community Car Show in Littleton takes place Saturday September 12th, 2015, from 10am to 2pm. Admission is free both for spectators and exhibitors. The car show takes place at Heritage United Methodist Church and will include music, free snacks, and you will vote on the People's Choice winner.
After the car show, a drag race takes place from 4pm - 8pm at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison. Admission is free for spectators, and $30 for racers.
You are encouraged to bring a canned food item or good condition used winter coat or boots.
When:
Saturday September 12, 2015
Car show runs from 10am to 2pm.
Drag race runs from 4pm to 8pm.
Where:
Car show takes place at Heritage United Methodist Church:
7077 S. Simms Street
Littleton, CO 80127
(next to Chatfield Sr. High)
Drag Race takes place at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison:
Immediately off the C-470 Morrison exit.
Golden Clear Creek Kayak festival (Wednesdays in June)
The "Golden Community Rodeo" is a weekly kayak competition in downtown Golden along Clear Creek at the Golden kayak park. You can sit or stand along the creek and watch the competition. It's pretty amazing what these kayakers can do, and definitely worth taking some time to watch. Can you think of a better thing to do on a warm spring Wednesday?
Competitors are arranged according to class. This year the classes are:
Juniors
Masters
Men: Sport, Intermediate, and Expert
Women: Sport, Intermediate, and Expert
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Liftopia Ski Discounts
Colorado resorts offering substantial Liftopia ski discounts:
Arapahoe Basin.
Copper Mountain.
Durango.
Loveland.
Monarch Mountain.
Ski Cooper.
Sunlight.
Winter Park.
Some other resorts have discounts on Liftopia that really aren't discounts at all.
Check out Liftopia:
Rentals
If you need to pick up rentals on your way to the mountain, my favorite super cheap rental shop is Maison De Ski in Idaho Springs.
Santa Fe Art Walk (first Friday monthly)
Denver's Art District on Santa Fe Drive features one of the more diverse collections of galleries in the United States, all situated within a short walking distance.
Denver Zoo Free Days
The Denver Zoo free days are by far the most popular Denver free days for families with kids, and are typically held during the fall and winter.
Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (always free)
The free Museum at the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame at Invesco Field showcases the accomplishments of Colorado's finest athletes across many sports disciplines from the most popular spectator sports to little-known gems.
There are exhibits featuring many of the greatest triumphs in Colorado sports history, from the Broncos to Golf to women in sports, as well as an interactive Kid's Zone. There is also an exhibit honoring the National Sports Center for the Disabled and the Special Olympics.
Hours
September thru May: Thursday -- Saturday 10am to 3pm
June, July, August: Tuesday -- Saturday 10am to 3pm
Beware of special hours and closures before or during Broncos home games, contact the Museum to confirm hours.
Location
Invesco Field Gate #1 (western side)
For the latest info, check the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame web site:
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder (always free)
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has created a beautiful nature preserve on their property on Table Mesa Drive in Boulder, at the base of the Flatirons.
Hammonds Candy Tour (always free)
Hammond's Candies in Denver has been producing high quality hard candy and chocolates since 1920. The Hammonds Candy Tour shows you the process of creating and packaging Hammonds candy. After you enter the tour center and receive your tour sticker, free Hammonds candy samples are provided and you can take a hat if you like as well. You can browse the OOPS! room where Hammonds candy mistakes can be purchased for low prices.
The tour begins by watching a short movie describing the Hammond's Candies company, it's history, and the candy making process. You then enter the production viewing area where you watch the workers create candy from start to finish. You then move to the packaging area and finish with another free sample to take home before you enter the store and gift shop.
Hammonds Candy Tour Hours:
Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday: 10am - 3pm
Closed Sunday.
Where:
5735 N. Washington Street, Denver, Colorado.
58th Street between Washington Street and I-25.
For more information visit the
Hammonds candy tour site:
Euclid Hall Denver Happy Hour (Downtown Denver)
OK, I normally make it a policy to only check out Denver happy hours that have food specials with drink specials. However, when I saw that that 5280 had deemed Euclid Hall the best Denver happy hour, I had to check it out for myself. I went in skeptical, and came out satisfied and stuffed.