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Denver is home to more than 34,000 veterans. Veterans Day allows us to reflect and honor those who have served and protected our country. Here are some of the many Veterans Day celebrations, events, discounts, and freebies happening in and around the Mile High City this week.
Veteran Artists at First Friday Walk | Friday, November 6, 6 to 9 p.m.
Denver VA Regional Office and Eastern Colorado VA Health Care System present several veteran artists’ work, from sculptures to paintings and photography, used as a form of creative therapy, at the VFW Post 1 on Santa Fe. 841 Santa Fe Dr.
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Stanford vs. Colorado Football Game | Saturday, November 7, 11 a.m.
The University of Colorado will honor vets, their families, and friends by providing discounted tickets to the CU Buffaloes vs. Stanford Cardinals game at Folsom Field. Tickets are $15 if you use the promo code “military” when buying tickets online. 2400 Colorado Ave., Boulder
VFW Post 1’s Veterans Day Celebration | Saturday, November 7, 2 to 6 p.m.
Take part in food, music, giveaways, and a fireworks display at the 14th Annual Veterans Day Celebration, taking place this year at Union Station. 1701 Wynkoop St.
Denver Veterans Day | Sunday, November 8
This year’s festivities go all Sunday long! Kick off the day at 8 a.m. with the 7th Annual Denver Veterans Day Run; the race, organized by the Colorado Veterans Project, is a 5k/10k that loops from the Auraria Campus along the Cherry Creek Regional Trail and back, and benefits the Russell B. Rippetoe Foundation and Denver Army ROTC. Post-race is a Remembrance Ceremony, presented by the Colorado Fallen Heroes Memorial, which honors those who died during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. (Register online, or beginning at 7 a.m. the day of the race.) The parade commences at 10 a.m., and will be followed by a free festival with live music, kids activities, food vendors, and a beer garden. Run: Auraria Campus, 1068 9th St. Park; Festival: Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave.
Fort Logan National Cemetery Ceremony | Wednesday, November 11, 11 a.m.
This annual ceremony will be held at the Fort Logan National Cemetery to honor and thank both veterans and active military. 4400 W. Kenyon Ave.
Buy a Vet a Beer at Declaration Brewing | Wednesday, November 11
Stop into Declaration Brewing and buy a vet a beer. Declaration will match every donation. The event benefits the Art of War Project, which uses alternative therapy to help veterans, especially those dealing with PTSD. 2030 S. Cherokee St.
Veteran’s Passport to Hope 2015 | Wednesday, November 11, 5:30 p.m.
This nonprofit’s mission is to bring awareness to the issues veterans face as they reintegrate themselves into civilian life. This year’s fundraiser will be held at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. The event will host Keynote Speaker Cpl. Daniel Riley, who will share his inspiring story. Tickets can be purchased online by table or individually ($95; $75 for veterans), and include dinner, live music, awards ceremony, and a silent and live auction. 7711 E. Academy Blvd., #1
Harvest Moon Barn Party | Saturday, November 14, 7 to 11 p.m.
Veterans to Farmers—a nonprofit providing veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts with a permanent source of income through farming—will host its inaugural Harvest Moon Party and fundraiser at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Chatfield Farms in Littleton. Local food, beer, and craft spirits will be provided by donation to this annual event. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here. 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton
The 2nd Annual Heroes & Hops Veterans Appreciation Party | Saturday, November 14, 4 p.m.
Fat Jack’s Supersubs is throwing a fundraising party for The Honor Bell Foundation with live music, delicious food, and beverages at VFW Post 1. Suggested donation is $20 per person, and the event is open to the public. 841 Santa Fe Dr.
Discounts and Freebies for Denver’s Vets:
Rocky Mountain National Park: Free admission on Veteran’s Day
Colorado Parks & Wildlife: Free admission to Colorado’s State Parks
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center: Free museum entrance for all active-duty military, veterans, and families with a military ID. (Check out the Military Artistic Healing Exhibition November 1st-21st at Cottonwood Center for Arts.)
Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Honors active or retired National Guard and Reserve every day by providing free admission with a valid ID.
Denver Zoo: Free admission for veterans and their families with a valid ID.
Waterworks Car Wash: Free basic car wash for all veterans with valid form of military ID
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk: Free lunch or dinner at Centennial Buffet for vets on November 11th, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Humboldt’s Farm, Fish, Wine and Ignite Burgers & Bar: Free meal and non-alcoholic beverage on November 11 to all active, reserve, and retired military with valid ID.
Spruce Farm & Fish: Free meal and non-alcoholic beverage; reservations recommended
The Post Brewery: Vets can receive a two-piece chicken dinner and a can of Townie Ale or Howdy pilsner