Labor Day is a chance to take stock of summer and prepare for fall, and itap clear we have something to be grateful for this season.
Unlike last year, Denverites have seen a relatively wet and temperate climate over the last three months, which has been good for everything from wildfire-ravaged wilderness areas to back yards and baseball diamonds — with the occasional rain-out to be expected. And in the city, the list of ever-multiplying activities have practically demanded that we spend our time outdoors checking out the new murals, food trucks, festivals and exhibitions.
Here are eight ideas for marking the (unofficial) final weekend of summer as Labor Day segues into fall.
Colorado State Fair
How many things can claim to be going strong at 147 years old? (Please, save your dad jokes for the next barbecue.) If you can’t find something for your tastes at the Colorado State Fair & Rodeo, which opened Aug. 23 and runs through Sept. 2, you’re not looking hard enough. Yes, you’ll have to leave Denver to enjoy it, but the annual event hits all the nostalgic notes with its carnival rides, livestock and agricultural competitions, horse shows, fine-arts displays and dizzying array of comfort food — everything from tacos to Greek food. There’s also diverse live music with Aaron Watson, Ramon Ayala, The Beach Boys, Halestorm, Brett Young, 38 Special and Banda Machos, along with monster trucks, rodeo contests and a demolition derby.
10 a.m.-11 p.m. through Sept. 2. Tickets: $6-$12 for gate admission, kids under 4 free. Various prices for ticketed events and concerts. 1001 Beulah Ave. in Pueblo. 866-461-6556 or
Crush Walls
This wall-art festival in the River North Arts District has, , annually added dozens of colorful, perspective-shifting murals and street art on the historic brick walls of this fast-growing area. The festival begins on Labor Day and runs through the following week with 80-plus public and commissioned exhibitions from local and international artists. In addition, there are dozens of “art happenings” at bars, restaurants, breweries, galleries and businesses around RiNo, including the Sept. 7 block party, a kid-friendly event in the Denver Central Market parking lot. Watch artists at work or simply stroll the streets for whatever catches your fancy, because there will be plenty beyond the graffiti and murals.
Various events and hours, Sept. 2-8 in the River North neighborhood. Events free.
A Taste of Colorado
This event, which draws about 500,000 total attendees, has wisely pivoted toward free, live music over the last couple of years as the city’s culinary scene has transformed into something not easily served by a big, free outdoor party. Of course, itap still stuffed with eating options, from turkey legs to all manner of comfort foods from local and national brands. Itap also got the requisite kid’s zone, arts-and-crafts vendors, and more. But as with the last couple of years, the draw this year will be the free, outdoor musical performances from 25 or so artists, including KC and the Sunshine Band, Kool & the Gang, Grand Funk Railroad, Dwight Yoakam, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Taylor Dayne and ex-Creed singer Scott Stapp.
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 2. General admission is free, but food and beverages cost $10 for 15 tickets.
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Colorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Being a Colorado Rockies fan means sitting with the team through good times and bad, even if we’ve had more of the latter than the former lately. But if you’re looking to bask in the glory that is Coors Field one last time before the weather turns chillier, head to Lower Downtown this weekend for a four-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with games Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
6:40 p.m. Aug. 30; 6:10 p.m. Aug. 31; 1:10 p.m. Sept. 1. Coors Field, 2001 Blake St. Tickets: $8-$77.
Rocky Mountain Showdown
This is your last chance to catch the state’s biggest college football rivals on a neutral field — and certainly one as big as Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Following this year’s big game between the University of Colorado Buffaloes and Colorado State University Rams, the Rocky Mountain Showdown will alternate between each team’s home turf. While it remains to be seen if the games draw the crowds that the Denver matches do (more than 73,000 at each of the last six games, according to ), there’s no doubting the crush of fans who will show up for this final Mile High City contest. Watch it on ESPN on Comcast/Xfinity (channel 27/668 HD), DirecTV (206) and Dish Network (140). CSU radio broadcast on KARS (FM 102.9) and KDCO (AM 1340 and FM 104.7) and CU radio broadcast on KDSP (AM 760).
8 p.m. Aug. 30 at 1701 Bryant St. Tickets: $35-$110, 800-491-7267 or
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Brews and Views Beer Festival
The Hudson Gardens & Event Center in Littleton will host this fifth annual event, featuring craft beers from more than 30 Colorado breweries, free rein of 30 acres of open space, food trucks, local vendors, music, games and more. The event is 21-and-up only, but offers discounted entrance ($5) for designated drivers, plus multiple tasting-ticket levels from casual tasters to beer buffs and connoisseurs (higher-level tickets are basically VIP packages and allow for slightly earlier entry).
1-5 p.m. Aug. 31 at 6115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton. Tickets: $5-$55. ǰ
Broncos Fit Expo
With contact sports under fire for causing head injuries in youth athletics, itap nice to see an NFL team offering a free, family-friendly health festival (in fact, that may be why they’re doing it — for the positive PR). As with last year, lots of people will likely show up to this fifth annual event hoping to get autographs from Broncos players and cheerleaders, but they can also take advantage of the family-friendly activities, check out the field at Mile High Stadium, and enter contests and giveaways. There are also Denver- and Fort Collins-based 7Ks, the former of which begins inside the Broncos’ home and winds its way through the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood before returning to finish on the stadium’s 50-yard line. The adult run begins at 8:30 a.m.; the kid’s version starts at 11:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 2 at 1701 Bryant St. in Denver. Tickets: Expo is free, 7K is $45; register at
Last Splash at Elitch Gardens
The city’s oldest theme park is gearing up for its 130th anniversary next year, which also makes it one of the country’s oldest continuously operating theme parks. Of course, today’s Elitch’s bears little resemblance to the attractions at the original site, but you can still tap into a local tradition by visiting over Labor Day weekend, when the park offers free fireworks with park admission (on Sept. 1) and closes down its Island Kingdom water park (Sept. 2). This is also your chance to check out the new Meow Wolf ride Kaleidoscape, which packs a lot of bang for its short-ride buck.
10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 31,-Sept. 1, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 2. 2000 Elitch Circle. Tickets: $60 general admission at the gate; $40 online, kids under 2 free; $30 after 5 p.m.; $20 on-site parking.
