Denver Art Museum
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There’s a lot to love in Denver, and you don’t need to wait until Valentine’s Day to experience it. The Saving Places Conference will host its first free networking event on Wednesday, when you can learn how to get into the preservation game. Black History Month activities continue, with author Adrian Miller dishing up the story of Black chefs at the White House on Thursday. And tonight, you can learn to samba…for free.
For more entertainment 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.
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 charge at the Denver Art Museum on Tuesday, February 10, and admission to the Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street and at Chatfield Farms is free on February 12. For other bargains, check the SCFD site.
Ruby Hill Rail Yard
Daily, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Ruby Hill Park, South Platte River Drive and West Jewell Avenue
How many cities have their own terrain parks? Since 2007, Denver Parks & Recreation and Winter Park Resort have teamed up to provide urban skiing and snowboarding at Ruby Hill; Rail Yard opened for the season on February 1 with newly designed rails, boxes and configurations to accommodate skill levels from beginner to advanced. Fair warning: the lights are out, so beware if you’re recreating after dark.
USPS
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; there will be a “Love the Byways” reception on February 14, as well as a Welcome Spring reception on March 21. Learn more at visitwetmountainvalley.com.
Winter of Reading 2026
Through February 28
Any Denver Public Library
Read alert! Winter of Reading, Denver Public Library’s annual reading challenge for adults, is on. The official game board includes 24 flexible activities; if you complete five in a row, you can win prizes. “These days, it can be hard to disconnect from our digital screens,” says Nicolle Davies, the new city librarian. “Our Winter of Reading challenge encourages people to connect with the community and engage with our library services in ways they probably haven’t imagined before.” The gameboard is available in several languages; you can pick one up at any library or download it from denlib.org/wor, where you can also find more info.
This week
Samba Colorado Open House
Monday, February 9, 6 to 7 p.m.
Denver Dance, 2030 Oneida Street
Explore different types of Brazilian dance during Samba Colorado Open House week. Tonight’s offering: Samba.
World Literature Lecture Series: Haruki Murakami
Monday, February 9, 6:30 p.m.
Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl Street, Boulder
In this free series, faculty from the University of Colorado present lectures on authors from around the world. Andrew Gilbert, assistant teaching professor of humanities, will discuss the work of Haruki Murakami.
Faith and Freedom Speaker Series: Christianity and the Spirit of 1776
Monday, February 9, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Anschutz Student Center, Colorado Christian University
Dr. Thomas Kidd, research professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of Thomas Jefferson: A Biography of Spirit and Flesh, will discuss the role of faith in the founding of America.
Youth Behind & Beyond Bars
Wednesday, February 11, 8 a.m.
Colorado State Services Building, 1525 Sherman Street
Motus Theater is bringing its Youth Behind & Beyond Bars program to the Colorado State Capitol, sharing first-person stories from adults who were incarcerated as children directly to state legislators. Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty will join Motus in telling stories about the lasting impacts of youth incarceration and why prevention and restorative, community-based solutions. While this is designed for legislators, there are fifty seats reserved for the public; RSVP here.
Sound Bath Meditation
Wednesday, February 11, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.
University of Colorado Art Museum, 1085 18th Street, Boulder
Head to the museum for a restorative sound bath meditation, designed to relax your body and mind with healing music. The event is also offered every third Thursday.
Colorado Preservation Inc.: Saving Places Conference
Wednesday, February 11, 6 to 8 p.m.
Grand Ballroom II/III, DoubleTree by Hilton, 3203 Quebec Street
While the annual Colorado Preservation Inc. conference requires paid registration, CPI is hosting a special preservation workforce development networking event that’s free open to all. It’s designed to connect preservation employers with people looking for jobs, students and emerging professionals with seasoned professionals, and current practitioners eager to meet collaborators across the industry. Meet people across different parts of the preservation pipeline, swap stories, build real connections, and maybe win a prize or two.
Colorado Black Round Table: What’s Next for Aurora
Thursday, February 12, 5 to 8 p.m.
Community College of Aurora, Heritage Hall, 16000 East Centretech Parkway, Aurora
Join the Colorado Black Round Table for remarks by Senate President James Coleman, a presentation on “Justice for Black Coloradans,” and a panel discussion of “What’s Next for Aurora?”
Anthony Camera
Black Chefs in the White House with Adrian Miller
Thursday, February 12, 6 to 7 p.m.
Aurora History Museum, 15051 East Alameda Avenue, Aurora
Adrian Miller, the “Soul Food Scholar,” will discuss his book The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of African Americans who have Fed First Families. A James Beard Award-winning culinary author, certified barbecue judge and recovering Denver attorney, he’s written four books related to culinary history. In The President’s Kitchen Cabinet, he presents a collective biography of the African American chefs and staff who have played pivotal roles in presidential kitchens from the Washingtons to the Obamas.
Game Night at the Gallery
Thursday, February 12, 6 to 8 p.m.
Leon Gallery, 1112 East 17th Avenue
The Wayfaring Band is at the gallery this month, and the games are about to begin! Bring a friend, a favorite game and a sense of curiosity.
Black People Know Things Trivia
Saturday, February 14, 2 to 4 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton Street
Celebrate Black History Month with Black People Know Things Trivia, an engaging evening highlighting Black excellence and cultural knowledge, with chances to learn and win prizes. For ages eighteen and up.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.