Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge, Arvada (always free)
Two Ponds is a very small National Wildlife Refuge which was created as a place for migrating birds to stop and rest.
2017 National Park Free Days
The National Park Service offers free entrance to all National Parks a few times each year. This is a great way to explore our beautiful Colorado park lands.
Colorado Mineral and Fossil Spring Show
The free Colorado Mineral and Fossil Spring Show brings gem and fossil dealers from across the U.S. to the Denver area to showcase their huge selection of amazing finds.
Up to 85 Retail / Wholesale Gem, Mineral, Fossil, Jewelry Dealers From All Over The USA
When:
April 14-16, 2017
Location:
The Crowne Plaza Dia
15500 EAST 40TH AVENUE, DENVER, CO 80239
http://www.rockygems.com/colorado-mineral--fossil-spring-show-2017.html
Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs (always free)
Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is probably the most beautiful small park in the state. Paved trails make it easy to wander around and check out the amazing cliffs and spires. Picnic areas, paved and unpaved hiking trails, horseback riding, a trading post, and a visitor's center with amazing views; Garden of the Gods is a great place to spend a day.
Creek at the Peak Rafting Festival
The Creek at the Peak raft and kayak race takes place on June 23rd, 2012 and provides a great opportunity to watch rafters and kayakers compete for prizes while supporting a great cause. Come check out the race and the after race festival in Idaho Springs on Saturday June 23rd. The festival takes place on the east side of the Springs at the ball fields. The race finishes just west of Idaho Springs and begins in Lawson.
The festival begins at noon and will feature live music, food from local restaurants, and Idaho Springs' famous Tommyknocker beer!
When: Saturday June 23rd, 2012.
The festival begins around noon and continues through the evening.
The races begin at 5pm and will probably finish around 7:30pm.
Where: Idaho Springs at the ball fields on the east side of town.
For all the details, check the Creek at the Peak site: 
Golden Super Cruise Car Show (first Saturday monthly May-October)
The South Golden Road area around the Sonic drive-in is home to a very large monthly car show called the Golden Super Cruise. They typically hold this event on the first Saturday of every month from May through October. One of the best things to do in Golden on a Saturday evening.
Buffalo Bill's Birthday (February)
Golden, Colorado celebrates Buffalo Bills birthday in grand style every year at Rock Rest Lodge. This free festival features re-enactments of the wild west days as well as great music, food, and western authors.
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Free First Fridays Art Walk
On the first Friday of every month, art districts around Colorado open their galleries late for an evening of gallery hopping. Most districts will have great food, drinks, music and an all-around festive atmosphere.
Colorado Ski Museum & Snowboard Museum at Vail (always free)
The Colorado Ski Museum & Snowboard Museum in Vail Village celebrates Colorado's rich ski history with a huge collection of artifacts and exhibits covering the whole of ski and snowboard history in Colorado.
Golden History Center and Astor House (free days)
The Golden History Center, along Clear Creek next to the Golden Library, and the Astor House Museum, offer free days from time to time. The next free day is during the winter Candlelight Walk, December 5th, 2014.
Details from the Golden History Museums web site:
Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden (free days)
The top Colorado attraction for train enthusiasts also has free days! A few free days are held each year at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. This museum features a diverse collection of trains, some restored and some not, located outdoors. You can climb aboard some of them. There are also indoor museum exhibits and a huge indoor miniature train layout that is operated by quarters.
Irish Snug Denver Happy Hour (Capitol Hill)
Happy hour at the Irish Snug just south of Denver offers cheap, quality food and more than affordable drinks. Their happy hour menu is offered every day from 3-7 and 10-12. A diner will encounter traditional Irish fare, such as corned beef sliders and sangers. If you don’t like Irish food, don’t worry. The Irish Snug also offers burgers, tex mex and sophisticated American bar food.
Underhill Museum | Idaho Springs | Always Free
The free Underhill Museum is a small but quaint depiction of early life in downtown Idaho Springs, with several rooms set up to display a typical home setting in the early 1900's. The kitchen in particular is very elaborate, and during better weather the Victorian Garden is open to the public. In addition, there is an old vault, antique cash register, and many photos of Idaho Springs through the years.
This free museum earns revenue for the History Society of Idaho Springs with a bookstore located at the entrance. They have an excellent selection of Colorado books as well as a large used book inventory.
This is a nice free historical museum to visit while browsing the shops in downtown Idaho Springs. I'm no fan of tourist trap shops that are full of cheap imported junk, like many of the shops in more popular Colorado tourist destinations. The shops in Idaho Springs are not like that. Many feature locally made artisan works for reasonable prices.
Fall and Winter hours 2011-2012:
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 11am to 5pm.
Location:
The Underhill Museum is at the western end of the strip in downtown Idaho Springs on Miner Street. Look for the sign that says "Books".
While you're in the area check out the Visitor Center and Heritage Museum at 2060 Miner Street.
Historic Idaho Springs site:
Colorado State Capitol Free Tours (Weekdays)
The Colorado State Capital is one of the popular Denver Attractions, not only for the well known '5280 step' but also for the free tours inside.
Why take a Colorado State Capitol tour? I'll give you three reasons:
- The Colorado State Capital building in downtown Denver allows you to watch our state Legislature in action. As more people take an interest in the workings of our government, this is a great opportunity to see firsthand how the system works. The Colorado State Legislature is in session from early January to early May.
- The capitol building itself is awash in history and amazing architecture. It was built using Colorado materials as much as possible, such as Colorado gold for the dome, granite walls from Granite, Colorado, and Colorado's distinctive red onyx throughout the interior.
- The views from the Dome tour are some of the best in Denver!
Location:
Just head for downtown Denver and the 16th Street Mall, you can't miss the gold domed building beyond the southern end of 16th street mall. The steps on the western side are the most popular area to enter as the "1 mile above sea level" markers are there. The civic center park area has become very sketchy, expect to encounter quite a few homeless if you walk through the park.
Visitors to the state capitol are allowed to wander the public areas on their own, or you can take one of several guided tours:
Historical Tours:
All about construction of the building and early Colorado history, as well as some of the more interesting artifacts on display within the building. Reservations are not required unless you have a group of 10 or more. Tours are 45 minutes long and are available weekdays except holidays.
Historical Tour Hours:
10am - 3pm every Monday - Friday
Legislative Tours:
Legislative tours are a popular field trip for Colorado grade school students. When possible, you will make stops in the House and Senate galleries to see the legislature in action. This tour is only for school groups and reservations are required.
Legislative Tour Schedule:
Annually, early January through early May. Reservations are required.
Dome Tours (currently closed):
This tour climbs a long spiral staircase to an indoor observation area with amazing views of Denver.
Dome Tour Hours:
Daily from 9am to 2:30pm. Reservations are required.
Dome tours are currently closed until further notice due to dome renovations.
Mr. Brown's Attic:
This exhibit area illustrates Colorado's history and the legislative process, and includes a hands-on children's area. The attic is open 9am to 3pm on weekdays and reservations are not necessary.
For more information about Colorado State Capitol Tours, visit the Colorado Legislative Council Site: