Itap one of the biggest questions of the year regarding your entertainment dollar. Yes, itap amateur’s night. Yes, you’ll pay a big-night-out tax, with everything from hotels to bars to limos at a premium. But yes, it can be worth it if you handle it properly.
They have one of the hottest venues in town, the towering, neo-classical, centrally located McNichols Building. They have a bluegrass band and food trucks, the red-hot Mile High Soul Club DJs and a slick 1920s speakeasy theme, an open bar of Colorado brews and distilled beverages and a crowd thatap not afraid to get really, really dressed up.
And that base audience also doesn’t mind shelling out $85 per person to party with a purpose.
“The majority of that ticket price goes to the non-profit that we’re supporting,” said Ryan Snyder, who helps with the non-profit S.O.U.L. Foundation, which works toward educating Ugandan youths. “We’re doing a lot of good things in Uganda and this is a good fundraiser for us.”
The average Ugandan family has eight people and earns $1 per day, according to Snyder — “So $5 is a lot of money to our non-profit.” The group targets youths considering dropping out of school and then partners with the family to pay 50 percent of a child’s school fees, which average $30 per month, Snyder said.
“We don’t do any handouts — itap a partnership model, meeting with the families and getting them invested in the process of their child’s improvement,” said Snyder, who added that at least 65 percent of each ticket price will go to the non-profit.
Five great New Year’s Eve options in Colorado — from the family-friendly to the booze-happy:
The Big Kid Sleepover
Whatap up: I know, crazy. At the Big Kid Sleepover, kids (and entire families) can pack their sleeping bags and join the mania of an all-night jump-off. Jump into the new year, indeed.
Where itap at: Jumpoline, 15380 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
More: Tickets are $45-$300, via .
Cee Lo Green in Aspen
Whatap up: Dude’s playing a big show at a small venue on New Year’s Eve in Aspen, of all places. Will he bring his parrot? Stay tuned.
Where itap at: Belly Up, 450 S. Galena St., Aspen
More: Tickets are $375-$875, via .
Midnight at the Library
Whatap up: As we said above, this party is the most intriguing option in a very crowded market. But the brother-sister team behind the grass-roots party have a proven track record. This year is their third and biggest New Year’s Eve party, and it also looks to be the best.
Where itap at: McNichols Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave., Denver
More: Tickets are $85, via .
The Resolution Run
Whatap up: The most common New Year’s resolution? Getting in shape! The event takes off at 5 p.m. in Washington Park, which means you’re done and showered in time for the ball drop.
Where itap at: Registration is at Denver South High School, 1700 E. Louisiana Ave.
More: Registration is $20-$30, via .
Coohills & Hazel Miller
Whatap up: — with musical accompaniment from Denver favorite Hazel Miller. It’ll be a classy night out, what with Coohills’ well-designed dining room, chef Tom Coohill’s French-inspired cuisine and Miller’s familiar vocals.
Where itap at: Coohills, 1400 Wewatta St., Denver
More: Bar seating ($40) and prix fixe options ($75-$135) are available, via .
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Ricardo Baca is the founder and executive editor of , the co-founder of and an award-winning critic and editor at The Denver Post.
