Jefferson County (Jeffco) is a special place, and it’s where we call home. Colorado Gives Foundation connects people, ideas and nonprofits and we believe that community is built by connection. That’s why we’re supporting events throughout Jeffco to connect people with nonprofits working to help our community thrive.
Mark your calendars for April 27 and 28 to explore Jeffco with free admission to some of our community’s museums, art galleries and historical parks. Immerse yourself in Jeffco’s rich history from dinosaurs to gold rushes to art.
Whether you’re a history buff, a culture connoisseur, or simply someone who loves to learn, Jeffco has something for everyone. Discover the past and present and make memories as you explore Jeffco.
Colorado Railroad Museum: Stroll the museum’s 15-acre railyard with over 100 locomotives, passenger and freight cars, cabooses and even a G-scale garden railway. Colorado’s railroad history comes to life as you explore trains dating from the 1880s to 1980s.
Admission Details: Free admission with a train ride for Jeffco residents. Capacity is limited and advanced reservations are recommended, Saturday, April 27. Doors & Exhibits open 9 AM – 5 PM. Rides depart 10 AM – 3 PM.
Location: 17155 W. 44th Avenue in Golden
Morrison Natural History Museum: Stegosaurus Day is a celebration of the paleontological heritage of Colorado. This free event offers hands-on programs and a behind-the-scenes look at fossil preservation efforts at Morrison Natural History Museum.
Admission Details: Jeffco residents get a free pass for future visit to explore the center. Free event admission Saturday, April 27, 10 AM – 6 PM.
Location: Morrison Natural History Museum, 501 Colorado Highway 8, Morrison, CO 80465
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum: Visit this downtown Golden treasure to explore the history and scope of quilting, from bed coverings of the 1800s to contemporary pieces.
Admission Details: Free admission for Jeffco residents: Sunday, April 28, 11 AM – 4 PM
Location: 200 Violet Street, Suite 140 in Golden
Mines Museum of Earth Science: This museum proudly houses a number of significant artifacts. Among its treasures is one of Colorado’s two Goodwill moon rocks, obtained during the Apollo 17 mission. Additionally, it showcases the esteemed Colorado State Mineral Collection, originating from the Bureau of Mines in the 1890s.
Admission Details: Free admission for Jeffco residents: Saturday, April 27, 9 AM – 4 PM and Sunday, April 28, 1 PM – 4 PM.
Location: Colorado School of Mines, General Research Lab (GRL) building, 1310 Maple St. in Golden
Wheat Ridge Historical Park: Founded in 1974 and celebrating its 50th anniversary! You can visit the first post office built in 1913, a log cabin, an historical red brick home and more! Explore the park on your own or get a guided tour.
Admission Details: Free admission: Saturday April 27, 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: 4610 Robb Street in Wheat Ridge
Heritage Lakewood Center: Heritage Lakewood Center is a 20th century history park, museum and festival experience celebrating community. Home to 15 historic buildings and more than 40,000 artifacts, you can explore the grounds.
Admission Details: Earth Day Celebration: Saturday, April 27, 11 AM – 7 PM
Location: 801 S. Yarrow Street in Lakewood
Dinosaur Ridge: Celebrating its 35th Anniversary, take a guided tour and visit the #1 dinosaur track site in North America and one of the top track sites in the world. Part of the Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas National Natural Landmark.
Admission Details: Free admission with guided tour: Sunday, April 28, 9 AM – 4 pm
Location: MAIN VISITOR CENTER – EAST SIDE, 16831 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO
Other great places to explore any day that are always free:
Conifer Historical Society and Museum: The Conifer Museum features a 1923 one room schoolhouse known by locals as the Little White Schoolhouse. It is open for tours by appointment only. Call 303-396-5975 to schedule a tour.
Location: 26951 Barkley Road in Conifer
Golden History Museum & Clear Creek History Park: Get a taste of pioneer life when you visit the old cabins, feed chickens or check out the one-room schoolhouse. Located just a block from downtown Golden. The grounds are open seven days a week, 5 AM – 11 PM.
Location: 923 10th Street in Golden
Hiwan Heritage Park and Museum: Set in an old-growth ponderosa forest, the Hiwan Heritage Park and Museum was built in 1893 and called Camp Neosho, it once served as the summer camp and residence of one of Colorado’s first female doctors, Josepha Williams Douglas and her family. Open Thursdays and Fridays noon – 4 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays noon – 4:30 PM.
Location: 28473 Meadow Drive in Evergreen
Arvada Center: Curates and creates national-caliber arts, humanities, education and entertainment designed to help you see, hear, feel and think a little deeper. Free admission to three galleries.
Location: 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada
Center for the Arts Evergreen: Open Tuesday – Friday, hours vary. Visit Evergreenarts.org for more information. Great art collections begin with small works. That’s the thought behind Center for the Arts Evergreen’s current exhibition – 12x12x12. This exhibition features small, scaled-down 2D and 3D pieces from 90 different artists, hailing from nearby mountain towns to as far off as Idaho, Montana and Alaska. Just as great oaks can grow from small acorns, so too can Exhibition runs through April 27 and was supported by Colorado Gives Foundation. Free admission.
Location: 31880 Rocky Village Drive in Evergreen
40 West Arts and Lakewood Arts Gallery: 40 West Arts District manages and operates 40 West Gallery, an inclusive community exhibition space in the heart of the creative district off Lakewood’s West Colfax Ave. The gallery is a great space for starting First Friday Art Walks and for new and professional artists to showcase their work. The gallery is open Wednesdays & Thursdays 12 – 5 PM; Fridays 12 – 9 PM. And Saturdays and Sundays 12 – 5 PM.
Location: 6501 West Colfax Avenue in Lakewood
