Denver Union Station to Celebrate Colorado’s 150th Birthday
The free Aug. 1 celebration features live music, cultural performances, family activities, local food and historic tours in the heart of downtown Denver
Denver Union Station will celebrate Colorado’s 150th birthday with the second annual Colorado Day: Spirit of the Centennial State on Saturday, Aug. 1, inviting visitors to enjoy a day of history, music, food and family-friendly activities at one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
Free and open to the public, Colorado Day at Denver Union Station is designed to honor the state’s rich history while highlighting the station’s continuing role as both a transportation hub and community gathering place in downtown Denver.
The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers activities throughout the station and surrounding Wynkoop Plaza.
nside the Great Hall, visitors can enjoy a full lineup of performances showcasing Colorado’s arts and cultural organizations, including the Cleo Parker Robinson Youth Ensemble, Central City Opera, Colorado Symphony, Denver Jazz Fest Trio and Mariachi Internacional by The Mexican Cultural Center.
Families can also attend storytime with local author Katy McQuaid, who will read from Everybody Loves Grace at Milkbox Ice Creamery. Guided tours of Denver Union Station and LoDo walking tours led by Historic Denver will also be available throughout the day.
Chef demonstrations by Ultreia will add another local flavor to the event.
Wynkoop Plaza will transform into a family-friendly festival featuring activities that celebrate Colorado’s heritage. Guests can try dummy steer roping and participate in a Silver Buckle Hunt presented by The National Western, while Argo Mill will offer gold-panning demonstrations.
The Colorado Rapids will host interactive soccer activities, and Channel 93.3 KTCL will distribute tickets to upcoming concerts.
Visitors looking to sample local cuisine can purchase tickets for A Taste of Colorado, featuring small bites prepared with Colorado-inspired ingredients from Denver Union Station restaurants, including Mercantile, Ultreia, Olive & Finch, Milkbox Ice Creamery, Terminal Bar, OGO Kitchen, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery and Telluride Truffle. Adult tasting tickets are $26.25, while children’s tickets (ages 12 and under) are $15.75.
Adults 21 and older can also participate in the Colorado Cocktail Trail, sampling Colorado wines, craft beers and spirits served by several station restaurants. Cocktail Trail tickets are $26.25.
Live entertainment continues on Wynkoop Plaza with performances by country artist Wilson Clark and headliner Rootbeer Richie, whose performances blend soul, swamp pop and classic rhythm and blues influences.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Fire Adapted Colorado, a nonprofit organization that has supported Colorado’s wildfire resilience professionals since 2015.
To coincide with this summer’s celebrations, The Crawford Hotel at Denver Union Station has introduced its new Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights package, available through Aug. 31.
The offer includes a two-night minimum stay, a curated Aspire Tour experience with a choice of visiting Rocky Mountain National Park or Red Rocks Amphitheatre, dinner at Mercantile Dining & Provision, and ice cream from Milkbox Ice Creamery.
Located in the heart of downtown Denver, Denver Union Station recently completed an extensive renovation that refreshed all 112 guest rooms at The Crawford Hotel while redesigning both the historic Great Hall and The Cooper Lounge.
Colorado Day takes place Saturday, Aug. 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional event details, ticket information and hotel offers are available through Denver Union Station.
