Denver Art Museum
Audio By Carbonatix
Enjoy the lovely weather today with a stroll along 16th Street, then head to the Denver Art Museum for a free day. Tonight, musicians Marty Jones and Baggs Patrick are holding another round of their Singers in the Speakeasy at the Roxy on Broadway.
For more options, check our list of activities worth the price of admission. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this week.
USPS
Ongoing
SCFD Free Days
Locations and dates vary
Thanks to the sales tax you pay into the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, many arts institutions around the metro area offer occasional free days and programs. There’s no admission charge at the Denver Art Museum on Tuesday, March 10, and entry is free at the Colorado Railroad Museum Thursday, March 12. For more bargains, check the SCFD site.
Colorado State Capitol Tours
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
200 East Colfax Avenue|
The Capitol is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free guided tours are available, but limited to thirty people on a first come, first served basis. Check in at the Visitor Information Desk, which opens at 9 a.m.
America 250 – Colorado 150
Through 2026
Around the state
Happy 150th birthday, Colorado! On August 1, 1876, Colorado became a state, and there will be celebrations all year — at the same time this country is celebrating its 250th anniversary. You can find a full list of the activities at Am250CO150.org, but don’t miss the already-open exhibits at the History Colorado Center: Moments That Made US, 38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State, and the new John Fielder show, Majestic Mountains.
Thornton Yesterday, Thornton Today, Thornton Tomorrow
Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thornton Arts & Culture Center Annex, 9211 Dorothy Boulevard
When Sam Hoffman purchased the land that would one day become the City of Thornton and began building homes in 1954, he envisioned a thriving community that could stand on its own — a dream realized just two years later when Thornton officially became a city in 1956. Thornton is celebrating its seventieth anniversary with Thornton Yesterday, Thornton Today, Thornton Tomorrow, an exhibit that opened January 5 and runs through the year.
Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Photography Exhibit
Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sangres Art Guild’s 3rd Street Gallery, 59000 Highway 69, Westcliffe
Start your celebration of Colorado’s sesquicentennial with a visit to Westcliffe, which just opened a show of 52 photographs taken along Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways. Frontier Pathways, Custer County Tourism and the Sangres Art Guild are hosting the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways exhibition through April 19, with a Welcome Spring reception on March 21. Learn more at visitwetmountainvalley.com.
“We Are the Land”
Denver’s YouTube
On February 7, Landmark Preservation staff and the American Indian community celebrated the culmination of more than three years of work to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of Denver’s current American Indian population, as well as Tribal Nations with cultural and historic ties to the land that is now Denver, with the oral history project “We are the Land: American Indian Life, Legacy and Future in Denver.” The project includes an accompanying documentary produced by Off the Road Productions, “We Are the Land,” which is now available on Denver’s YouTube channel.
This Week
Denver Art Museum Free Day
Tuesday, March 10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
100 West 14th Avenue Parkway
It’s a free day at the DAM, so you can visit any of the exhibits now on display, including What We’ve Been Up To, a collection of photos from the museum’s collection, and Conversation Pieces, a display of fashion. If you want to open your wallet, you can catch a 6 p.m. lecture by photographer Zora Murff.
Democracy at the Crossroads: 250 Years as a Nation, 150 Years of the Centennial State
Through Wednesday, March 11
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
The Democracy Summit began in 2024 as part of CSU’s thematic year of democracy; this year’s edition explores “Democracy at the Crossroads: 250 Years as a Nation, 150 Years of the Centennial State: and is inspired by the America 250/Colorado 150 project. It kicks off at 9 a.m. today with the Ramplify: Civic Engagement Fair, then features a noon lecture with Colorado’s state historians. Get the complete schedule here.
Courts in the Community: Court of Appeals Oral Arguments
Tuesday, March 10, 3 to 5 p.m.
Lowry Student Center Theater, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Three judges from the Colorado Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in two court cases as part of the Colorado Judicial Department’s Courts in the Community outreach program; this is offered in conjunction with CSU’s Democracy Summit. These are not mock proceedings: Colorado Court of Appeals Chief Judge Gilbert Román, Judge Stephanie Dunn and Judge Craig Welling will hear oral arguments in SMB v. Boulder, a case involving a news outlet request for police body-worn camera footage following an allegation of police misconduct.People v Albat arises from a defendant’s conviction for first-degree murder, and an allegation of ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
Singers in the Speakeasy
Tuesday, March 10, 7 to 9:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30)
Roxy on Broadway, 554 South Broadway
Longtime musician (and sometime Westword contributer) Marty Jones has started a songwriter showcase with Baggs Patrick, who ran the famed open-mic at Cricket on the Hill for about thirty years; it’s held on the second and third Tuesday of the month in the basement of the Roxy on Broadway. Jim Dalton, frontman for local legends The Railbenders and lead guitarist for Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, will be the featured guest at this event. No cover; food and drink are available to order.
Making Ends Meet
Wednesday, March 11, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Mile High United Way, 711 Park Avenue West
After a screening of the new CBS News Colorado documentary Making Ends Meet, following the dreams and challenges of hard-working families in Colorado, there will be a panel discussion with leaders in housing, health care and higher education across Colorado. Mercy Housing CEO Ismael Guerrero, Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne and former Senator and CU/UNC President Hank Brown will discuss these areas where rising costs are consuming a growing share of what families earn. Also speaking: Mile High United Way CEO Christine Benero and CBS Colorado VP, Station Manager & News Director Kristine Strain.
Queer and/or Sober Karaoke
Thursday, March 12, 7 to p.m.
Sexploratorium, 1800 South Broadway
A philosophy professor from Regis University hosts Queer and/or Sober Karaoke, an inclusive event designed for members of the queer community and those in sobriety. Attendees are encouraged to embrace their authentic selves while belting out their favorite tunes, from classic hits to modern anthems
Nonprofit Networking Breakfast Summit
Friday, March 13, 8 to 11 a.m.
Serendipity Labs, 1801 Wewatta Street
This free event will bring together nonprofit professionals, 501(c)(3) organizations, human service providers, and corporate leaders from across the Denver metro for a morning of meaningful connections and discussions, with a complimentary breakfast.
Keggs & Eggs 2026
Friday, March 13, 8 a.m. (doors at 7 a.m.)
Union Station Great Hall, 1701 Wynkoop Street
KTCL’s Keggs & Eggs is moving to Union Station for its twentieth anniversary, bringing live music and a free party to the Great Hall. There will be music from Sublime, alongside The Paradox and Bike Routes, as well as special themed food and drink offerings. If you really want to live it up, book a Crawford Hotel package. But for the rest, it’s first come, first served; queue up early on the Wynkoop Plaza.
Terminal Bar St. Patrick’s Day Parade Watch Party
Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m.
Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street
Want a front row seat to the St. Patrick’s Day parade? The Terminal Bar is hosting a watch party, where you can ctch the parade right as it marches down Wynkoop Street for its turn down 17th Avenue. There will be a live DJ on hand, and drink specials.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: “Stars, Strips & Shamrocks”
Saturday, March 14, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
19th and Wynkoop Streets
The 64th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. from the corner of 19th and Wynkoop, turns left on 17th Street to Blake Street, then marches east on Blake and ends at 27th and Blake at the Coors Field parking lot. Find the schedule of parade week events here.
St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Parade
Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m.
1600 38th Street, Boulder
Boulder Social’s third annual St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Parade kicks off at 1 p.m. at the club, starting in the back parking lot, then heading down Arapahoe and around 38th Street. There will be a wrap-up part on the dog-friendly patio and in the parking lot. It costs $10 to enter your pet in the parade and costume contest (registration starts at 11 a.m,, and you get a free Boulder Social Beer); watchingis free. Proceeds go to POSO Dog Rescue.
Local Author Meet and Greet
Sunday, March 15, 3 to 6 p.m.
Fiction Beer Company, 7101 East Colfax Avenue
Looking for a new book to read? Swing by the Fiction Beer taproom to meet local authors, who’ll be talking about their books…and selling them. The lineup: Christine Layne/RC Lehan, Contemporary Romance/Horror & Dark Romance; Rae Valtera, Fantasy, Ann H. Fox; Fantasy, Ian Thomas Healy, Sci fi, Superhero; TJ Lundin, Fantasy/Adventure; and Mikaelynn Rose, Urban Fantasy Romance.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.