So you couldn’t score tickets to the Obama vs. Romney showdown at the University of Denver (DU) on October 3? Not to fret: We’ve got the scoop on other local, election-focused happenings to keep you in the loop.

Money Matters: Get the inside track on our nation’s financial status from two former high-level government officials. Christina Romer, the previous chair of Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, and David Walker, the U.S. comptroller general during both the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, will lead a discussion detailing how we can move toward fiscal stability. Monday, September 24, 4-5:30 p.m.; free; Davis Auditorium (inside Sturm Hall on the DU campus), 2000 E. Asbury Ave. Check out the rest of DU's debate event series here. 

History Lesson: The initial Kennedy-Nixon presidential debate in 1960 marked the first time Americans could watch the candidates duke it out on television. Relieve the decades-old drama with this special screening of that monumental debate, presented by the Denver Film Society. Thursday, September 27, 7 p.m.; free; Davis Auditorium (inside Sturm Hall on the DU campus), 2000 E. Asbury Ave.

Community Watch Party: Most of the watch parties around town are sold out, so keep this one on your radar if you'd like to take in all the hoopla in a non-partisan environment—with a stadium theater. Cocktails and refreshments (from a cash bar) will start at 6 p.m., an hour before the debate begins. Wednesday, October 3, 6 p.m.; free; The Wildlife Experience, 10035 Peoria St., Parker, 720-488-3300

The Democalypse: An aPolitical Bacchanal: Mark your calendar for a political—zombie-themed—fund-raiser. RedLine, a Colorado nonprofit that supports local arts, hosts this evening extravaganza. The Democalypse (aka democracy-apocalypse) theme calls for creative costumes inspired by a unique meshing of past or present politicians and, well, zombies. Guests will enjoy political-inspired kinetic art sculptures while Denver’s rowdy comedic troop, the Fine Gentleman’s Club, entertains the crowd. Thursday, November 1, 7 p.m.-midnight; $15-$150; 2350 Arapahoe St.

—Image courtesy of Wayne Armstrong, University of Denver