THIS WEEK

Standup comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Thursday

The 2nd Annual Stand-Up for Hope is coming to the Three Leaches Theater in Lakewood. It is a night of comedy and poetry in support of Art from Ashes creative empowerment programs for youth. The emcee and headliner is Ren Q. Dawe, a nationally recognized comedian, trans activist, and community leader. The event raises money for Art From Ashes, which “exists to empower struggling youth by providing creative programs that facilitate health and hope through expression, connection and transformation.”

Día de Los Muertos + Latin Festival in Breckenridge Friday and Saturday

Breck Create will host a two-day celebration honoring Latin American culture, ancestry and people. The festival begins on Friday evening with an exhibition opening by Denver-based artist Juan Fuentes, including a reception and artist talk. There also will be a candlelight vigil and traditional Aztec dance by Grupo Huitzilopochtli. Colorful calaveras and a community ofrenda will be on display Saturday, with workshops, face painting, live music and an artisan market. Grupo Huitzilopochtli, Dwende Flamenco, Tres Tumbao and Chihuahua-Honduras Folk Dance Group will perform.

Animas Valley Balloon Rally in Durango Friday to Sunday

Durango’s annual balloon rally opens with the downtown balloon glow on Friday evening, with opportunities to meet the pilots and see the balloons up close. Mass ascensions begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Hermosa Meadows. Free tethered balloon rides also will be available, and a second balloon glow event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Horror movie festival in Telluride Friday to Sunday

The Telluride Horror Show claims to be Colorado’s largest horror film festival, returning for its 17th edition. The festival line-up showcases feature films and short films from new and established talent, including world premieres and Colorado premieres. The festival also includes special programs, guests and other events.

Gunnison Restaurant Week starts Friday

Enthusiasts can win custom Romp skis, Monarch lift tickets and other prizes just by going out to dinner in Gunnison between Oct. 16 and 25. Diners can get a free digital passport, then check in at a restaurant for one contest entry.

Pumpkin-carrying race in Fruita Saturday

The Great Pumpkin Haul requires participants to carry a pumpkin through a two-mile cross-country course. Each competitor chooses a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and carries it through forests, open fields, over hay bales and through other obstacles. After the race, there will be hay rides, a haunted maze, food trucks and a costume contest.

So much Rocky Horror Oct. 22 to 31

It’s the season for campy comedy and participatory cinema fun. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is coming to venues across Colorado. Many of them have live local shadow casts, singing, dancing and audience props on the following dates:

Ridgway Oct. 22 to 25
Crested Butte Oct. 23
Durango Oct. 23 to 31
Gunnison Oct. 23
Pagosa Springs Oct. 29
Gunnison Oct. 30
Estes Park Oct. 31

PLAN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

Salida Improv Festival on Oct. 23 to 25

The Salida Improv Movement will host improv teams and trainers from Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Illinois for two nights of comedy and two days of workshops for all skill levels. The improv showcases are ticketed separately, and cost $10 each. Workshops cost $35 each.

Spirits & Spirits in Denver Oct. 24

The Four Mile Historic Park in Denver will host a pre-Halloween event for adults from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. The Spirits & Spirits tour includes craft cocktails and alcoholic spirit tastings while learning about ghostly spirits, haunted history and macabre tales. The ticketed event also includes Bright Nights light show entry, live drag performances, demonstrations of Victorian mourning practices and a film screening. Add-ons and on-site purchases include tarot readings, face painting and food.

Coffin Races in Manitou Springs Oct. 24

The nation’s original coffin races commemorate Emma Crawford, who wished to be buried atop Red Mountain. Colorado weather had different plans, and a series of freeze-thaw cycles and some heavy spring rains sent her coffin racing down the mountainside in 1929. Nearly a century later, teams gather shortly before Halloween to build a coffin and race it through Manitou Springs.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Glenwood Springs Oct. 29

The Middle Colorado Watershed Council takes a collaborative and educational approach to protecting the Colorado River. The group’s signature annual fundraiser is the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, which has a curated lineup of short films, as well as a live auction and door prizes.

Bloody Mary Festival in Denver Nov. 8

The 10th annual Denver Bloody Mary Festival is on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Reelworks. Some of Denver's top bars, restaurants and artisanal bottled cocktails will compete for a people’s choice award and the official prize voted on by expert judges. A VIP session starts at 11:30, with general admission from 12:15 to 2:30 p.m.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in this events roundup, we will add them to our events calendar.

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