Celebrating Another Great Finish for Pedal The Plains

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“The Ride for the Rest of Us” was Held Sept. 16-18 

The 154 mile, three-day ride took more than 850 cyclists through the southern Colorado towns of Ordway, Fowler, and La Junta for the 5th anniversary of the event. With close to 20 educational stops and signage along the route, the riders were immersed in rural highlights, trivia and fun facts to keep them pedaling down the country roads. During the safety overview came the warning to look out for snakes and tarantulas crossing the highways, two things no cyclist would want to run over! One of the many benefits of taking part in Pedal The Plains is the focus on featuring locally grown ingredients all weekend, honoring the pride and rich culture the plains have to offer.
The Denver Post Pedal The Plains Bicycle Tour is produced in partnership with the Governor’s Office. Governor John Hickenlooper and former Publisher and current Chairman of The Denver Post Dean Singleton dreamt up this event over a discussion on how to showcase the culture and beauty of eastern Colorado. The Governor refers to Pedal The Plains as “The Ride For The Rest of Us,” as a nod towards The Denver Post Ride The Rockies Bicycle Tour through the majestic Rocky Mountains. Each year Pedal The Plains grows in numbers and each year the cyclists are treated to the charm and hospitality from some of the friendliest people in Colorado.
Proceeds benefited The Denver Post Community Foundation. For more information on The Denver Post Pedal The Plains, click here. 

12th Annual Denver Food + Wine Festival

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2016 is sure to please the palettes September 6-11    
Denver Food + Wine Festival is a multi-day extravaganza of food, wine and spirits events, presented by co-sponsors Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Colorado and Colorado Restaurant Association. The 12th annual event benefits four nonprofit partners. The Denver Post Community Foundation is honored to be a beneficiary along with Colorado ProStart, operated by the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, Kroenke Sports Charities, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. Festival events feature the best in Colorado’s restaurants paired with the finest wine and spirits, dinners, tastings, and culminating with the festival’s signature event, The Grand Tasting. Denver Food + Wine Festival aims to highlight hospitality industry impact, promote workforce development, and celebrate Denver as a culinary destination.
To view Denver Food + Wine Festival’s schedule and to purchase tickets, click

The Denver Post UMS Continues to Rock the Streets

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Denver’s Largest Indie Festival Celebrated its 16th Year in July 
Music lovers gathered for the 16th year of The Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, presented by Schomp Mini, July 28 – 31. The large main stage and host venues along South Broadway were packed with more than 15,000 attendees throughout the weekend. With headliners such as Polica, Thee Oh Sees, Allah Las and countless other favorites, the crowd was entertained from beginning to end of this year’s festival.
The Denver Post Community Foundation was proud to present a $5,000 grant toYouth on Record for their determination and focus to empower teens with music in some of the most vulnerable Denver neighborhoods.
 
Proceeds benefited The Denver Post Community Foundation. For more information on UMS, click here.  

Celebrating The Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Train

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A Fun Time Was Had by All for the 25th Anniversary Trip 
 
On Saturday, July 23, more than 600 special guests took a ride on The Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Train for its 25th consecutive trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming for the “Daddy of ’em All” rodeo. It was a full day of western entertainment! Pictured above and having fun in the Walter Dean car are guests Nancy Levine; Mary Smith; Pat Robinson; and Denver Post Community Foundation Board Member, Tim Jackson. Countless train enthusiasts lined the route to welcome No. 844’s historic return to the rails.
The Denver Post Community Foundation was proud to present its first CFD Train grant to the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the community about the history and culture of Cheyenne Frontier Days from the event’s earliest inspiration to its present celebration.
A day prior to No. 844’s return to the helm, CFD Train guests were invited to a special presentation about the nearly three year extensive restoration led by Engineer, Ed Dicken’s Jr. and the Union Pacific Steam Team.
Proceeds benefited The Denver Post Community Foundation. For more information on The Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Train, click here. 

The Denver Post Pedal The Plains Gears Up

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The “Ride for the Rest of Us” is September 16-18    
In April, Governor John Hickenlooper, The Denver Post Community Foundation and Presenting Sponsor Viaero Wireless proudly announced the route for the 2016 Pedal The Plains Bicycle Tour. Now in its fifth year, an estimated 1,000 riders will spin through Southeast Colorado covering 151 miles over the course of three days. From September 16-18, participants will visit the host communities of Ordway, Fowler, and La Junta, while touring a number of scenic, historical and agricultural stops along the way. Off the bike, cyclists will enjoy locally sourced food, beer gardens, live entertainment and the community spirit of Colorado’s Eastern Plains.
Cyclists will pedal away the weekend between entertainment and festivities, eat meals made with local produce and stay in accommodations ranging from tents to private home stays. Participants may enjoy their time off the bicycle seat as much as on it. From pie-eating contests to dairy farms, working ranches to historic re-enactments, beer gardens to live music and games, Pedal The Plains has it all.
Proceeds benefit The Denver Post Community Foundation. For more information and to register for Pedal The Plains, click here.

Four $100,000 Signature Grants Awarded

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A new initiative in 2016 is The Denver Post Season To Share Signature Grants. These $100,000 grants, one in each of our four issue areas: Child & Youth Education; Health & Wellness; Homelessness; and Hunger, address the ever growing needs in Metro Denver by exploring bold systems support solutions with strategies to change the future for thousands in our area. On Wednesday, July 6, 2016, grants were awarded to the Denver Metro Chamber Foundation – Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative; Colorado Nonprofit Development Center – Mile High Health Alliance Initiative; Metropolitan Denver Homeless Initiative; and Hunger Free Colorado. These four groups are included in the 49 grant recipients through The Denver Post Season To Share. Presenting the awards to each group were Tracy Ulmer, Director of Community Relations of The Denver Post; David Hiller, President and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Dean Singleton, Chairman of The Denver Post, and Mac Tully, CEO and Publisher of The Denver Post.     
To see a description of each Denver Post Season To Share Signature Grantee, click here.  

$2.29 Million Awarded to 49 Nonprofits

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The Denver Post Season To Share

On Thursday, July 7, 2016, 49 nonprofit agencies in Metro Denver serving the areas of Child & Youth Education, Health & Wellness, Homelessness, and Hunger, were recognized and awarded grants through The Denver Post Season To Share, a McCormick Foundation Fund. It was another outstanding year for Season To Share, with more than $1,525,000 contributed by over 4,900 generous donors! Every dollar donated was matched at 50% by the McCormick Foundation, bringing the total to $2,290,000. Thank you to MDC Richmond American Homes Foundation for being the largest donor to this campaign. Presenting the grants were Mac Tully, CEO and Publisher of The Denver Post; Dean Singleton, Chairman of The Denver Post; and David Hiller, President and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.   
To see a complete listing of The Denver Post Season To Share grantees, click here. 

Emily Griffith Foundation Legacy of Learning Awards

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Celebrating Commitment to Lifelong Learning    
On June 8, Emily Griffith Foundation hosted the 2nd Annual Legacy of Learning Awards Breakfast, an event celebrating local businesses and individuals who serve as champions in the 50+ industries represented at Emily Griffith Technical College. The Denver Post was recognized along with Elaine Gantz Berman, and Tom Gamel, for representing the spirit of Emily Griffith and her vision of providing education for “all who wish to learn.” Accepting on behalf of The Denver Post was Michael Henry, CFO and Sr. VP of Finance, pictured above with Colorado Historian, Thomas J. “Dr. Colorado” Noel.   
For more information on Emily Griffith Foundation, click here.

Another Denver Post Ride The Rockies in the History Books

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The 31st Annual Bike Tour Was a Great Ride
Two Thousand cyclists from all over the world traveled 403 miles across the scenic Rocky Mountains June 12 through June 17. The 2016 ride showcased the communities ofCarbondale, Aspen, Copper Mountain, Grand Lake, Estes Park and Fort Collins. In keeping with tradition, the route featured some of Colorado’s most scenic and breathtaking views on some of the state’s most iconic roadways and highlighted Independence Pass, Fremont Pass. Tennessee Pass, Vail Pass, Ute Pass and Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park.
In each host community Ride The Rockies and The Denver Post Community Foundation were proud to grant $5,000 to a deserving nonprofit organization. Scroll down to our Grant Corner to see the recipients and photos.
Thank you to all of the generous Ride The Rockies sponsors, especially presenting sponsor ViaWest, and to all of the dedicated volunteers, who gave so much of their time and talents to make the ride a smooth one!
Proceeds benefit The Denver Post Community Foundation. For more pictures from this year’s Denver Post Ride The Rockies, click here.  

All Aboard! It’s Time for a Train Ride to Cheyenne

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No. 844 Makes Her Return Debut on Saturday, July 23

The Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Train, started in the 1900s by The Denver Post, will take 700 passengers north to the Cheyenne Frontier Days “Daddy of ’em All” rodeo on Saturday, July 23, 2016. We are honored to have Steam Locomotive No. 844 make her return debut leading our guests on the rails, after two years of extensive restoration led by Engineer Ed Dicken’s Jr. and the Union Pacific Steam Team. No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad and is considered a Living Legend.
New this year, The Denver Post Community Foundation will present a $2,500 grant during lunch to the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the community about the history and culture of Cheyenne Frontier Days from the event’s earliest inspiration to its present celebration.
This event is sold out, however, this month’s contest is giving away two tickets for July 23, so scroll down to our contest section to find out how to enter!
Proceeds benefit The Denver Post Community Foundation. For more information on The Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Train, click here.