As the longest government shutdown on record drags on, more than 800,000 federal employees are feeling the strain of missed paychecks. Enter Colorado businesses: Everyone from the Denver Art Museum (free general admission to furloughed employees and one guest) to the the Colorado Symphony (two free tickets to the the Mendelssohn Double Concerto or the Classical Romance concerts) to Flex Yoga & Barre on Welton Street (free classes through the shutdown) are extending special offers to ease the pain. More crucial, though, are the scores of local restaurants giving free food and drink to furloughed employees and, in some cases, their families. Here is a comprehensive list of current offers (because there’s no way to know how the Senate votes this Thursday will go.) Just don’t forget to bring a valid federal government ID.


Annette
The Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
Furloughed employees are encouraged to stop by during happy hour (3-5 p.m.) for a complimentary grilled cheese, steak frites, or breakfast sandwich.

Aperitivo
5530 Spine Rd., Boulder
Get a free meal for up to four people at this Gunbarrel spot. Offer limited to once per week; make a reservation at 303-530-1326.

Bar Dough
2227 W. 32nd Ave.
Government employees receive one free margarita pizza with a glass of house tap wine or beer, and kids get a free soft drink (when dining with adults only), Monday thru Thursday from 3-9 p.m., until the shutdown ends. 

Bird
1529 S. Pearl St.
Government employees get a free entrée, as well as a discount for family members throughout the shutdown.

Casa Caliente
8800 S. Colorado Blvd.
Federal workers and their families get a free meal at this Highlands Ranch Mexican spot until the shutdown ends.

Centro Mexican Kitchen
950 Pearl St., Boulder
Visit this Boulder Mexican restaurant Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and ask for the Furlough Lunch special (varies weekly). Make sure you bring an ID badge or another proof of employment and be prepared to pay tax and tip. Dine in only.

The Corner Office
1401 Curtis St.
This globally inspired downtown restaurant is offering a free lunch for furloughed employees from Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., until January 21.

Curry ‘N’ Kebob
3050 28th St., Boulder
This stellar fast-casual Indian spot offers free meals to federal employees and their families throughout the shutdown.

Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge
1512 Curtis St.
This swanky jazz club is offering a free lunch entrée on Thursdays and Fridays, a Saturday breakfast buffet from 1-1:30 p.m., and a Sunday brunch buffet from 2-2:30 p.m. to all furloughed government employees throughout the shutdown.

Denver Central Market
2669 Larimer St.
Stop by the RiNo marketplace for a slew of deals, including a free drip coffee or 50 percent off a specialty beverage at Crema; 20 percent off your bill at Izzio; a free chocolate bar at Temper; a two-pound package of ground beef or chicken at Local Butcher; a free breakfast sandwich at Culture Meat & Cheese; and 20 percent off anything at Tammen’s, Green Seed, SK Provisions, Vero, and Curio Bar.

DC Pie Co.
2223 E Colfax Ave.
Stop by this City Park pizza joint for a free a specialty cocktail of your choice until the shutdown ends.

Office of U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-7)
12600 West Colfax Ave., B-400, Lakewood
Free breakfast and lunch (plus additional resources) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. for the duration of the shutdown.

El Dorado Mexican Restaurant
720 Arapahoe St., Golden
Show your ID and receive a complimentary burrito and soft drink.

Fazoli’s
Multiple locations (check ahead to see if your location is participating)
Federal government workers get a free pizza or baked spaghetti with the purchase of a small drink.

Great Divide Brewing Company
2201 Arapahoe St. and 1812 35th St.
Furloughed employees get buy-one-get-one beers throughout the shutdown.

Hopdoddy
1747 Wynkoop St.
On Wednesday, January 23, this fast-casual chain will be offering workers a free burger, regular fries, and non-alcoholic beverage. For the remainder of the shutdown, government workers can stop by for 25 percent off their meal.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
1539 17th St.
Available at the LoDo location Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ask for the Furlough Lunch special (varies weekly) and make sure you bring an ID badge or another proof of employment. Guests pay tax and tip. Dine in only.

Kachina Cantina
1890 Wazee St.
Government employees can enjoy a free Taco Plate, with a choice of three tacos on tortillas or Kachina’s signature Navajo fry-bread, alongside rice and beans and a non-alcoholic drink.

Kaos Pizzeria
1439 S. Pearl St.
Government employees get a free entrée, as well as a discount for family members, through the duration of the shutdown.

Chef Kristin Hazlett
719-660-5065
Personal chef Kristin Hazlett is generously offering to cook furloughed employees and their families a meal in their own homes.

Le French Cafe
2525 Arapahoe Ave. C-1, Boulder
Stop by for a free order of sweet or savory crepes from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (closed on Mondays).

Lucha Cantina
8026 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton and 606 Sixth St., Georgetown
Both locations of this Mexican restaurant will provide any any government worker and their kids a meal from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily until the shutdown ends.

Marco’s Coal Fired
2129 Larimer St. and 10111 Inverness Main St., Englewood
Show your ID daily between 2 and 6 p.m. for the “Furlough Special,” a one-topping Neapolitan-style pie and soft drink. The offer applies to federal employees, spouses, and their children age 17 and under for the duration of the shutdown; guests are responsible for tax and gratuity. Dine in only.

Mas Kaos Pizzeria & Taqueria
4528 Tennyson St.
Government employees get a free entrée, as well as a discount for family members, through the duration of the shutdown.

Mint & Serif Coffee House
11500 W Colfax Ave., Lakewood
Furloughed employees get one free drip coffee per day for the duration of the shutdown.

Modern Market Eatery
Multiple locations
Stop by any of this popular chain’s Front Range locations from 5 p.m. to close, Friday through Sunday, throughout the shutdown and receive a complimentary grain bowl.

Moxie Bread Company
641 Main St., Louisville
Furloughed employees get free drip coffee for the duration of the shutdown.

Oblio’s Pizza
6115 E. 22nd Ave.
Furloughed employees and their families eat free at this old school-style pizzeria; diners who want to give back to furloughed families can also donate online or with cash at the restaurant.

The Post Brewing Co.
Multiple locations
Stop in to any of Post Brewing Company’s four locations Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and ask for the Furlough Lunch special (varies weekly). Bring an ID badge or another proof of employment and only pay tax and tip. Dine in only.

Precision Pours Coffee House
1030 E South Boulder Rd., Louisville
Half-off any drink with a valid government ID.

Punch Bowl Social
65 Broadway and 3120 Uinta St.
Punch Bowl Social is offering a 25 percent discount on all food, beverages, and games (including brunch and daily specials) to any federal government employee throughout the shutdown. The offer doesn’t include private parties or merchandise.

Ragin’ Hog BBQ
4361 Lowell Blvd.
Stop by and show your ID for a free pork or chopped beef sandwich combo.

Señor Bear
3301 Tejon St.
Government employees can enjoy a free bowl of pozole with pork, hominy, and red chile broth, as well as a beer, from Monday through Thursday, 5:00 p.m. until close.

Sheraton Denver Tech Center Hotel
7007 S Clinton St.
Through January 31, furloughed employees get a free flatbread pizza or Sheraton house salad with the purchase of a beverage from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

State 38 Distilling
400 Corporate Cir B, Golden
Appropriately, furloughed employees can stop by for a free shot of Impeach Vodka.

Sushi-Rama
Multiple locations (not valid at DIA) 
From Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., government employees can enjoy a free lunch of Sushi-Rama’s signature conveyor belt sushi.

Urban Farmer
1659 Wazee St.
From January 28 through February 1, furloughed employees can enjoy a free brunch entrée (inclusive of tax and tip) at this modern steak house from 7-3 p.m.

Walnut Cafe, Southside Walnut Cafe, and Super Mini Walnut Cafe
3073 Walnut St., Boulder, 673 S Broadway St., Boulder, and 2770 Arapahoe Rd #116, Lafayette
Furloughed employees can stop by any location for a free breakfast.

West End Tavern
926 Pearl St., Boulder
Visit this Boulder tavern Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., and ask for the Furlough Lunch special (varies weekly). Make sure you bring an ID badge or another proof of employment and be prepared to pay tax and tip. Dine in only.

Zolo Grill
2525 Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder
Visit this Boulder Southwestern restaurant Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. -3:30 p.m., and ask for the Furlough Lunch special (varies weekly). Make sure you bring an ID badge or another proof of employment, and be prepared to pay tax and tip. Dine in only.