guides

SCFD Free Days for 2023

January 11, 2023

Colorado residents can enjoy FREE DAYS at some of our area's most popular destinations, thanks to SCFD funding as well as state and corporate sponsorship. Free Days are for general admission; special events and exhibitions may still require the purchase of a ticket.

Due to COVID restrictions, some of the Free Days require tickets or sign ups that must be secured prior to your visit. Please click on the venue name to check the ticket/sign up requirements.

Dates are subject to change without notice; contact the venue prior to your visit to confirm.


Buffalo Bill's Museum and Grave

987 1/2 Lookout Mountain Road, Golden | (720) 856-2160

A special note: Free Admission for active military and up to 3 family members, Memorial Day thru Labor Day.

  • Wednesday, January 4
  • Wednesday, February 1
  • Wednesday, March 1
  • Wednesday, April 5

Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

2121 Children's Museum Dr., Denver | (303) 433-7444

4:00–8:00 PM only

A special note: Families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can visit the Museum any time throughout the year and pay just $1 per person (up to 10 family members) when they show their EBT card. Admission can not be paid with the EBT card; it is simply proof of program participation.

  • Friday, May 19
  • Friday, June 16
  • Friday, July 21
  • Friday, August 18
  • Friday, September 15

Clyfford Still Art Museum

1250 Bannock St., Denver | (720) 354-4880

A special note: Ages 17 and under are always free.

  • Friday, January 13
  • Thursday, February 23
  • Sunday, March 26
  • Sunday, April 30 – Día del Niño Celebration Program
  • Wednesday, May 31
  • Sunday, June 25 – PrideFest Weekend
  • Sunday, July 23 – ADA Celebration Program
  • Friday, August 18
  • Wednesday, September 6
  • Thursday, October 5
  • Saturday, November 4 – Night at the Museums
  • Sunday, December 3

Colorado Railroad Museum

17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden | (303) 279-4591

A special note: Boulder County residents can enjoy additional free days throughout the year. Visit the venue's website for details.

  • 2023 Dates TBD

Denver Art Museum

100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver | (720) 913-0130

A special note: Children 18 years and younger are free EVERY day of the year!

  • Tuesday, January 10
  • Saturday, January 28
  • Tuesday, February 14
  • Tuesday, March 14
  • Tuesday, April 11
  • Sunday, April 30
  • Tuesday, May 9
  • Sunday, May 14
  • Tuesday, June 13
  • Tuesday, July 11
  • Sunday, July 30
  • Tuesday, August 8
  • Saturday, September 9
  • Tuesday, September 12
  • Tuesday, October 10
  • Saturday, November 4
  • Tuesday, November 14
  • Tuesday, December 12

Denver Botanic Gardens

1007 York St., Denver | (720) 865-3500

A special note: Families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can visit the Gardens any time throughout the year and pay just $1 per person (up to 10 family members) when they show their EBT card. Admission can not be paid with the EBT card; it is simply proof of program participation.

  • Monday, January 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
  • Thursday, February 16
  • Wednesday, March 15
  • Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day)
  • Tuesday, June 6
  • Wednesday, July 5
  • Tuesday, August 15
  • Friday, November 24 (Thanksgiving Friday)

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield

8500 Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton | (720) 865-4346

  • Monday, January 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
  • Thursday, February 16
  • Wednesday, March 15
  • Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day)
  • Tuesday, June 6
  • Wednesday, July 5
  • Tuesday, August 15
  • Friday, November 24 (Thanksgiving Friday)

Denver Firefighters Museum

1326 Tremont Pl., Denver | (303) 892-1436

NOTE: Dates marked with (*) are only free to residents in the seven SCFD counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson.

  • Saturday, February 11 - Family Free Day
  • Saturday, September 9 - Grandparents with their grandchildren
  • Saturday, October 14 - Family Free Day
  • Saturday, October 28 - Halloween Children's Free Day
  • Friday, November 10 - Veteran's Day Free Day

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver | (303) 370-6000

A special note: Families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can visit the museum any time throughout the year and pay just $1 per person (up to 10 family members) when they show their EBT card. Admission can not be paid with the EBT card; it is simply proof of program participation.

  • Monday, January 9
  • Sunday, January 29
  • Monday, February 6
  • Sunday, February 26
  • Sunday April, 30
  • Wednesday, June 28 | Free Night
  • Wednesday, August 16 | Free Night
  • Wednesday, September 6 | Free Night
  • Monday, September 18
  • Sunday, October 15
  • Monday, December 4

Denver Zoo

2300 Steele St., Denver | (720) 337-1400

* Free Day tickets are ONLY available via the lottery system. See how to win free tickets here.

A special note: Families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can visit the Zoo during the off-season (typically August through April) and pay just $1 per person (up to 10 family members) when they show their EBT card. Admission can not be paid with the EBT card; it is simply proof of program participation.

  • Friday, January 6 | Lottery Closed
  • Sunday, January 22 | Lottery January 8 - 14
  • Sunday, February 5 | Lottery January 22 - 28
  • Sunday, April 9 | Lottery March 26 - April 1
  • Saturday, October 7 | Lottery September 23 - 29
  • Tuesday, November 7 | Lottery October 24 - 30
  • Sunday, November 12  | Lottery October 29 - November 4

Dinosaur Ridge

16831 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison | (303) 697-3466

A special note: Admission to the exhibit hall Trek Through Time is free; guided bus tours are available at a reduced rate of $8 for adults and $6 for children.

  • Friday, March 17
  • Monday, April 17
  • Sunday, September 17
  • Saturday, November 4 - Night at the Museum
  • Friday, November 17

Four Mile Historic Park

715 S. Forest St., Denver | (720) 865-0800

Join us for our monthly Free Day, the 4th Friday of each month!

  • Friday, January 27
  • Friday, February 24
  • Friday, March 24
  • Friday, April 28
  • Friday, May 26
  • Friday, June 23
  • Friday, July 28
  • Friday, August 25
  • Friday, September 22
  • Friday, October 27
  • Friday, November 24
  • Friday, December 22

History Colorado Center

1200 Broadway, Denver | (303) 447-8679

A special note: Families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can visit the Museum any time throughout the year and pay just $1 per person (up to 10 family members) when they show their EBT card. Admission can not be paid with the EBT card; it is simply proof of program participation.

  • 2023 Date TBD

Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)

1485 Delgany St, Denver | 303-298-7554

  • 18 and under ALWAYS FREE
  • FREE admission for healthcare workers, SNAP beneficiaries, reciprocal museum members, and museum professionals - Call 303-298-7554,  Monday–Friday 9AM–5PM to reserve tickets.
  • Penny Admission the FIRST SATURDAY of each month

Plains Conservation Center

21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora | (303) 739-7160

A joint effort by the City of Aurora and Denver Botanic Gardens.

  • Thursday, January 19
  • Thursday, February 23
  • Saturday, March 11
  • Thursday, June 15
  • Saturday, July 15
  • Thursday, August 17
  • Saturday, November 18
  • Thursday, December 7

Always Free: 

Aurora History Museum, Golden History Museum, Heritage Lakewood, Hudson Gardens, Littleton Museum and Museum of Outdoor Arts.

Additionally, you can request free passes for a variety of area museums and Colorado State Parks through the Arts, Culture and Travel Pass offered by Aurora Public Libraries and the Exploration Pass offered by Arapahoe Libraries. Passes are for general admission for a specific day and are very limited in quantity. You must have a library card and not all venues listed below are available at all libraries. Please click on the library links to see which venues they provide passes to and to reserve your passes.

Participating venues include:


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