Where to Celebrate Earth Day This Week

We live in a beautiful state, and events surrounding Earth Day remind us to keep Colorado that way. You can clean parks and riverbanks, learn from movies and lectures, or just let the scenery do the talking during National Park Week.

For more information on how to enjoy this state while protecting its natural resources, see Colorado Tourism's Do Colorado Right page. Now, keep reading for Earth Day events along the Front Range on April 22 and beyond.

2024 City Nature Challenge
Friday, April 26, through Sunday, April 28
Denver Parks & Recreation
Started in 2016 as a competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the City Nature Challenge has grown into an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities. Run by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the CNC is a global bioblitz. The Denver Department of Parks & Recreation is hosting a number of free programs, including a bug bioblitz; get the details here.
Environmental Film Festival
Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, 2 p.m.
Historic Park Theatre, 130 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park
The premiere of documentarian Nick Molle's Wild Ride: The Peak to Peak Highway will kick off a two-day event celebrating his thirty years of hiking, documenting and filming Rocky Mountain National Park. On April 27, the theater will debut Water, The Sacred Gift, delving into watershed history among Indigenous cultures. Both days will feature a reception before the screening and guest speakers, including TV meteorologist Mike Nelson on Saturday. Single-night tickets are $35 and packages are $60; purchase them here.

South Platte Renew's River Clean-Up 2024
Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m. to noon
Mary Carter Greenway Trail & Centennial Park, 4630 South Decatur Street, Englewood
To celebrate Earth Day, South Platte Renew is hosting its annual River Clean-Up along the South Platte River. Participants must register; learn more here.

Earth Mysteries & Histories
Saturday, April 27, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Biotechnology Building, CU Boulder East Campus, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder
This Earth Science public outreach event offers interactive and hands-on exploration stations where you can learn about oceans, groundwater, fossils, earthquakes, volcanoes, climate change and more. Admission is free; learn more here.

Earth Day, Every Day Celebration
Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bob L. Burger Recreation Center, 111 West Baseline Road, Lafayette
The City of Lafayette is celebrating Earth Day with a variety of family-friendly activities, including a sustainable makers' market, a nature-themed kids' concert, over fifty eco-exhibitors and a raptor program. Admission is free; get the full schedule here.

Live From Planet Earth 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2 to 9 p.m.
Sanitas Brewing, 3550 Frontier Avenue, Boulder
Climatique, an alliance of artists and activists focused on harnessing the power of community to protect our people and our planet, is hosting Live From Planet Earth 2024, a celebration with live music performances, speakers on climate justice, interactive discussions and more. Admission is free; learn more here.

Earth Week Story Slam: Call of the Wild
Sunday, April 28, 2 p.m.
Historic Park Theatre, 130 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park
Whether you're telling your own story or simply listening to those of others, you can immerse yourself in the spirit of Earth Week at this slam hosted by The Moth's Nick Ross. Tickets are $17-$22; learn more here.

Do you know of an event that belongs here? Send the details to [email protected].