Denver Days Back to School Fest Returns to Support Denver Families

Denver Days Back to School Fest Returns to Support Denver Families

Published on July 23, 2026

Denver, CO - The City and County of Denver will host the third annual Denver Days Back to School Fest on Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westwood Community Center, 1000 S. Lowell Blvd., Denver, CO 80219, thanks to the support from the Southwest Denver Coalition. Hosted by Denver Human Rights & Community Partnerships (HRCP) and the Office of Mayor Mike Johnston, the event will bring together city agencies, nonprofit organizations, community partners, and volunteers to help Denver students and families prepare for a successful school year.

As Denver continues to find meaningful ways to support families and respond to the challenges many community members are facing, the city is proud to bring this celebration back for a third consecutive year. What began as an effort to help students prepare for the school year has grown into a signature Denver Days tradition, reflecting the city's continued commitment to community service and engagement, with this year's celebration also featuring First Lady Courtney Johnston's Give5 Mile High initiative.

"The only thing kids should be thinking of on the first day of school is seeing their friends again and meeting their teachers," said Mayor Mike Johnston. "This event ensures students feel supported and have everything they need to start the semester off right."

Last year's celebration [RECAP VIDEO & PHOTOS] welcomed more than 6,000 community members, connecting Denver families with school supplies, resources, health services, and family-friendly activities. This year, the city hopes to build on that success by bringing the celebration to Denver Council District 3 and providing another opportunity for students and families to start the school year prepared, supported, and connected.

Families attending this year's celebration can enjoy a full day of free resources, services, entertainment, and back-to-school support, including:

• More than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, available while supplies last
• A backpack personalization station, made possible thanks to Goodwill of Colorado
• Vaccinations provided by our city partners at Denver Department of Public Health & Environment
• Dental exams and cleanings facilitated by Kids Choice Dental
• Fresh haircuts by R&R Head Labs
• Ice cream and cookies thanks to Little Man Ice Cream and Tiff's Treats
• A full day of music and performances presented by Youth on Record
• Family-friendly activities and opportunities to connect with dozens of community organizations and city agencies.

Store Manager Sebastian Rose, Goodwill Bear Valley, said, "Every student deserves to begin the school year with confidence. The Back to School Fest helps make that possible by providing the essentials while creating moments of joy along the way. We're proud to join our community partners in helping students start the year ready to learn and ready to shine."

The Denver Days Back to School Fest is designed to be a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive event where all families feel supported and connected to the resources available throughout the city. All HRCP Divisions will be onsite to provide support, including language access services and accessibility resources such as ASL interpretation.

"Our work is centered on ensuring every resident feels welcomed, respected, and connected to the resources and opportunities available in our city," said Perla Gheiler, Executive Director of HRCP. "Events like the Denver Days Back to School Fest allow us to bring services directly into the community, remove barriers to access, and celebrate the diversity, strength, and resilience of Denver families."

A special thank you to our community partners at the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, Goodwill of Colorado, U.S. Bank, and Donor Alliance for helping make this year's event possible. Families can also look forward to visits from Miles and Dinger, who will join the celebration and help kick off the school year with plenty of fun and excitement.

As Denver Days comes to a close, the Back to School Fest serves as a celebration of community, bringing neighbors, partners, volunteers, and city agencies together to support Denver families.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact Heidi Rodríguez, HRCP Public Information Officer at [email protected].

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About HRCP: At Denver Human Rights & Community Partnerships, we are dedicated to protecting the human and civil rights of our community through advocacy, partnerships, and direct support. At the heart of our work is inclusiveness, building a Denver where everyone feels seen, valued and empowered.

• Human Rights & Community Partnerships