Denver, CO

Denver charities struggle with rising costs, fewer donations

Published

12 months ago

December 19, 2024

Denver charities struggle with rising costs, fewer donations

It’s the season of giving, but for many Denver nonprofits, there’s a tinge of worry.

Some local non-profits are seeing a shift in donations as income inequality grows and costs rise with inflation. Both nonprofit organizations and the people they serve are feeling the squeeze.

“We’re doing everything we can to serve just as many people, if not more,” said Erin Pulling, CEO of Food Bank of The Rockies.

The food bank serves people directly as well as hundreds of partner organizations that distribute food, but Pulling said the need keeps growing.

“At our biggest Thanksgiving distribution (ever) we had a thousand households in line to pick up a couple boxes of food,” she said.

Those in line told food bank volunteers how their struggles have affected them.

“Just story after story of hard-working people making really tough choices,” said Pulling.

Florence Crittenton Services, or FloCrit, is one of the oldest charities in Denver, dating back to the 1890s. Its mission is to educate, prepare, and empower teen mothers and their children. FloCrit Director of Development Theresa Garcia said nonprofits like theirs are in a period of change.

“I think that there is just kind of a shift in the way that people are engaging with non-profits and are engaging with kind of the work in their community,” said Garcia.

FloCrit received donations from many of its large donors on Colorado Gives Day this year, but there were fewer small and entry-level donors.

“Fewer donors are being asked to fill greater needs,” said Garcia.

She said the costs for young mothers are often out of reach. Housing costs have remained high and the price of necessities has continued to grow.

“We buy lots of diapers, lots of wipes, lots of formula. All of the things that we know that everybody struggles with,” said Garcia.

Garcia said the needs of the teenage mothers they serve have also continued to grow, including more mental health care, baby items, supplies, educational needs, and employment help. Many don’t have enough to cover these things.

“There’s a lot of things that our families are dealing with that just make it harder to climb out,” Garcia added.

Organizational costs are a major hurdle. Although 70% of the food at the food bank is donated, Pulling said they purchase about 30% themselves.

Each year the food bank ships out about 17 truckloads of cabbage. Now the pricetag has them searching for ways to keep supporting the community as more people struggle financially.

“For that cabbage, we now spending $31,000 more for the cabbage than we were a year ago,” Pulling said. “Like how do we meet this high need? Higher need than we’ve ever seen before with fewer resources.”

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Denver, CO

Canceled due to high winds: Wednesday’s drone show, holiday tree, Christkindlmarket

Published

2 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Canceled due to high winds: Wednesday’s drone show, holiday tree, Christkindlmarket

Downtown’s Mile High Drone Show, the Denver Christkindlmarket and access to the Mile High Tree have been canceled for Wednesday, Dec. 17, due to high winds, said producers at Visit Denver.

The city’s tourism arm on Wednesday morning decided to cancel the shows and outdoor holiday market for this evening “due to weather conditions,” as well as cut off access to the 110-foot LED icon known as the Mile High Tree, through which visitors can typically walk and snap selfies.

Denver is forecasted to endure wind gusts of up to 50 mph on Dec. 17, with gusts of up to 75 to 80mph possible in higher elevations. High winds, low humidity and the possibility of wildfire led Xcel Energy to cut power to more than 100,000 Front Range residents by Wednesday morning. Xcel Energy also sponsors the Mile High Tree.

Denver Christkindlmarket is scheduled to run through Dec. 23 at the Auraria Campus.

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Denver, CO

Denver weather: Strong wind and increased fire danger Wednesday

Published

14 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Denver weather: Strong wind and increased fire danger Wednesday

DENVER (KDVR) — A Pinpoint Weather Alert Day has been issued for Wednesday as fire danger increases in Denver due to strong wind gusts and dry conditions, with even stronger wind gusts to the west into the foothills.

Denver weather tonight: Mainly clear

Denver weather tomorrow: Warm & windy

Wednesday will be warm and windy.

As high temperatures climb to the mid-60s, wind gusts will pick up to over 40 mph.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued across the urban corridor as strong wind gusts are paired with dry conditions on the ground and low humidity, leading to high fire danger for the potential of rapid fire spread.

The strongest wind gusts will be west of the metro. High wind warnings are set to go into effect Wednesday morning and continue into early Thursday. During this time, gusts could reach 65-85 mph, especially for areas above 6,000 feet.

Above 9000 feet, there is a chance for light snowfall. Even though most places will only see 4″ of snowfall or less, blowing snow from strong wind gusts will lead to limited visibility and difficult driving conditions.

Looking ahead: Staying warmer through the weekend

Temperatures will drop on Thursday to around 50 degrees, which is still more than five degrees above normal for this time of year.

Friday, sunny, breezy and warm weather returns. High temperatures will climb to record range, which in Denver is a high of 67 degrees, last hit in 2023.

More dry and warmer than normal conditions will continue into the weekend, with a high in the mid-60s Saturday, then just shy of 60 degrees by kickoff of the Broncos game. Then the workweek starts with sunshine and high temperatures reaching record levels.

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Denver, CO

Where To Eat Christmas Eve Dinner In Denver – 303 Magazine

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Where To Eat Christmas Eve Dinner In Denver – 303 Magazine

For Christmas Eve dinner in Denver, options range from upscale steakhouses like Elway’s and Urban Farmer to Italian spots like Cranelli’s, seafood at Jax Fish House, Mexican at Kachina Cantina, and varied American/international cuisine at places like Tavernetta, Root Down, with many offering both dine-in and takeout for prime rib, seafood feasts, or holiday boxes, but reservations are essential.

Remember to book early, as many of these places fill up fast. Check the websites or call to confirm holiday hours and make reservations.

Steak & Upscale

Elway’s Downtown
Featuring their classic steakhouse menu plus festive additions like Duck Breast and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms.
Make a reservation HERE

Urban Farmer Denver
Offers prime rib and Peking duck to-go or dine-in options.
Make a reservation HERE

The Capital Grille
Another upscale steakhouse option for the holiday.
Make a reservation HERE

Italian & European

Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant
Featuring a la carte menu with seasonal luxuries.
Make a reservation HERE

Tavernetta
Featuring a la carte menu with seasonal luxuries.
Make a reservation HERE

Le French – 9+CO
Focusing on decadent food like oysters, foie gras, seafood, turkey/goose, and the iconic chocolate log cake.
Make a reservation HERE

Seafood & American

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Featuring seven Fresh Fishes, Five Golden Courses, and an unforgettable Christmas Eve.
Make a reservation HERE

Local Jones
Savor carving stations, classic holiday favorites, specialty desserts, and more
Make a reservation HERE

Root Down
Creative American cuisine with global influences offering prix fixe or a la carte menue
Make a reservation HERE

Mexican & Latin

Kachina Cantina
Features a Christmas Eve Prime Rib special.
Make a reservation

SOL Mexican Cocina
Featuring Prime Rib served with Truffle Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Bacon Brussels Sprouts & Maple Syrup Glazed Carrots
Make a reservation HERE

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