ABOUT Taste

The Denver region’s favorite end-of-summer celebration of community pride and spirit is back to celebrate 25 years of good Taste!  Join your neighbors, friends, and family at A Taste of Colorado and enjoy the offerings of over 50 area food establishments, 250 marketplace artisans and vendors, seven entertainment stages, kids’ and family activities, educational programs, and more — all for no admission fee.

This year marks 25 years of A Taste of Colorado, an end-of-summer Labor Day Weekend celebration of community pride and spirit in the Denver region.  Originally named Festival of Mountain and Plain and established in 1895 as a carnival similar to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, the Festival was created to boost the city’s morale and vitality following the silver panic.  The event, unsuccessful in ending Denver’s depression and declining in attendance, folded in 1902 when organizers were unable to obtain financial support.  In 1983, the Downtown Denver Partnership decided to bring back the spirit of the original Festival to commemorate the opening of the 16th Street Mall.  The following year, A Taste of Colorado was added to the Festival of Mountain and Plain name and concept and moved back to Civic Center Park in Downtown Denver, where the event first began.

FAQs

What are the items I CANNOT bring to A Taste of Colorado?

The following may not be brought into the Festival:

• Alcoholic beverages, beverage containers, glass bottles, food, or beverages
• Coolers, picnic baskets, or carry-ins of any type (back-packs or large bags may be searched)
• Kites, Frisbees, balls, or other sports equipment
• Scooters, skateboards, or inline skates
• Pets (except service animals)
• Firearms, weapons, contraband, or laser pointers
• Bicycles (please use bike parking operated by BikeDenver at two locations: in front of the Colorado History Museum on 13th and Lincoln and at the northeast corner of Cherokee and 14th by the City and County Building)

Is there a separate fee for concerts?

No, all concerts are free.

How do I pay for food and beverages?

Tickets must be used to purchase food and beverages. A strip of 8 tickets can be purchased for $5. Cash is accepted at all Rocky Mountain News ticket booths. Checks and credit cards are not accepted. ATMs are located throughout the Festival grounds.

Are alcoholic beverages sold at A Taste of Colorado?

Yes, you must be 21 to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. Identification is required.

How does my company become a sponsor at A Taste of Colorado?

Please contact Dean Menos, (303) 295-1211.

How do I forward my band’s contact information to management? 

Please mail a promotional packet including: CD or tape of band, band biography, band photo, and band contact person or manager to:
Jim Schwartzkopff
A Taste of Colorado
511 16th Street, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80202
Bands may follow-up with Jim at (303) 329-6242.

What accommodations are available at A Taste of Colorado for people with disabilities?

Wheelchairs, powerchairs, and scooters will be available for rental just inside the Broadway and 16th entrance from A Solutions Medical.  For early reservations, call (303) 432-2230 or (303) 437-2820.  Don’t forget to register to win a Champion Companion Power Lift Chair, a $325.00 retail value!

Every effort for wheelchair accessibility is made with many street ramps and some temporary street ramps maintained for wheelchair users. There is no on-site parking; however, those with a valid handicapped license plate will find spots available in lots adjacent to the site as well as off-Festival street parking.

The site itself offers wheelchair-height counters at each ticket booth and entertainment stages that are at ground level, making viewing accessible for all patrons.

A downloadable map will be available in mid-August showing all access points.