Free Things to Do in Denver (and Beyond) This Week

Enjoy the lovely weather today with a stroll through Chatfield Farms, where admission is free. The Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street is free today, too, but most of those slots are gone…so move fast. And tomorrow, you can visit the Denver Art Museum for free.

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.

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. Monday, March 9, is a free day at the Denver Botanic Gardens — both the York Street and Chatfield Farms locations. 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 3^rd 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

Democracy at the Crossroads: 250 Years as a Nation, 150 Years of the Centennial State
Monday, March 9, 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.

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms Free Day
Monday, March 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
8500 West Deer Canyon Road, Littleton
While most of the slots for free day at the York Street Facility are gone, there are still plenty of spaces at Chatfield Farms, where you can enjoy the lovely weather while strolling through this site. Sign up here.

Denver Botanic Gardens Free Day
Monday, March 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1007 York Street
Move fast: Although most of the free-admission slots are gone, early today there were still spaces available at 2 and 2:30 p.m. And sorry, but the DBG advises that walk-ups will not be accomodated!

Last Lecture Series: Dr. David Murphy
Monday, March 9, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Great Hall, Anschutz Student Center, Colorado Christian University, 8787 West Alameda Avenue, Lakewood
Dave “Bosco” Murphy will examine leadership and how a lifetime of lessons learned while serving around the world shaped his life’s purpose. David Murphy joined the CCU team in 2021, after retiring in 2014 after 25 years of Air Force service and then completing his Ph.D. in Leadership Philosophy from Dallas Baptist University in 2019.

Crisis in the Gulf: U.S. Strategy, Iranian Response and Global Impact
Monday, March 9, 6 p.m., online
Join the Denver-based CELL for a timely discussion on current developments in Iran. This discussion will feature two of the most respected experts on Iran and Middle East security: Clifford D. May, founder & president, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and Peter Bergen, CNN national security snalyst. Register now for access to this program and all spring 2026 events in the CELL’s “Emerging Threats to National Security” series.

Theatre Artibus Monday Night Social Club
Monday, March 9, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Savoy Denver, 2700 Arapahoe Street
Join Artibus for a social evening that shows how you can dabble in its adult educational programs. First drink is on Artibus; learn more 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. Register here.

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.

Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.