Taste of Colorado

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Food & DrinkDenver
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forRegional food & drinkThis festival's founding story reaches back
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Taste of Colorado in Denver

A Taste of Colorado traces its roots to the 1895 Festival of Mountain and Plain, a Mardi-Gras-style carnival meant to lift Denver's spirits after an economic downturn. Revived in 1983 to mark the opening of the 16th Street Mall, the modern free festival fills Civic Center Park each Labor Day weekend with over 50 local food booths, four music stages, and crafts vendors.

Denver's Labor Day weekend food and music festival has a history considerably older than most attendees realize.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

This festival's founding story reaches back further than most Denver traditions: the original Festival of Mountain and Plain launched in 1895 as a New Orleans Mardi Gras-inspired carnival, created specifically to boost civic morale during the economic depression that followed the Silver Panic, though it ultimately failed to reverse the downturn and folded by 1902 amid declining attendance

02

The mystery stays covered

Nearly a century later, in 1983, the Downtown Denver Partnership revived the concept, adding A Taste of Colorado to the historic name and relocating the celebration back to Civic Center Park to commemorate the opening of the 16th Street Mall, and the modern event now draws more than 500,000 visitors annually as a free, three-day showcase of Colorado food, music, and crafts

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival channels the civic-morale-boosting spirit of the original 1895 Festival of Mountain and Plain into a modern celebration of Colorado's food and music scene

Water and renewal

Living ritual

maintained since its 1983 revival by Downtown Denver Events Inc

The sacred route

Living ritual

as part of the nonprofit Downtown Denver Partnership's broader mission of community and cultural programming in the city's core

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

For Taste of Colorado, plan transport around the exact Denver venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Early September in Denver typically brings warm days with the possibility of a cooling evening or an early-season cold snap, so light layered clothing, sun protection for daytime hours, and...

Safety

Use normal food-market caution, hydrate, and leave time between crowded stalls.

Where to stay

For Taste of Colorado, stay near the part of Denver you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.74 N, 104.98 WOpen in Google Maps

Denver, CO

Nearest airportDEN — Denver
TransportFor Taste of Colorado, plan transport around the exact Denver venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Taste of Colorado, stay near the part of Denver you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Denver via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Denver, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearEarly September in Denver typically brings warm days with the possibility of a cooling evening or an early-season cold snap, so light layered clothing, sun protection for daytime hours, and comfortable shoes for a large park-based festival footprint are practical.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Taste of Colorado?

Taste of Colorado is listed for July · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Taste of Colorado take place?

The festival is listed in Denver, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Denver, CO

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLthedownlo.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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