Films in the park and ethnic fests are just a few of Colorado’s affordable events

Summer in Colorado can be a season of sweet savings — especially for those who think ahead.

Free and affordable activities abound, in the cities and in the high country. But the clock is ticking. With about a month left until the official summer solstice (June 20), the time is now to plan to spend the season enjoying music, art, sports and this state’s splendid outdoors — without breaking the bank.

Here are several budget-minded tips to help round out your warm-weather calendar.

Free outdoor films

Denver Parks and Recreation has teamed up with several local sponsors to host free outdoor movie nights starting June 30 with “Forrest Gump” at Skyline Park; other showings happen at Civic Center Park, Bible Park, Curtis Park, Governor’s Park and Ruby Hill. There are 16 free movie nights in total as part of Denver’s 2012 Movies in the Park Series. Look for the full schedule at denvergov.org/parksandrecreation.

At Infinity Park (4500 E. Kentucky Ave., Glendale, 303-639-4711), Monday Movie Madness begins June 11 and happens twice a month through Aug. 20. These free family films — including “The Goonies” and “The Princess Bride” — are shown at 8 p.m. on the park’s JumboTron. infinityparkatglendale.com

Elsewhere around the metropolitan area, there are free outdoor summer films at Festival Park in downtown Castle Rock, DeKoevend Park and Trails Recreation Center in Centennial, O’Brien Park in Parker and Aspen Grove in Littleton.

Ethnic festival stay-cations

The metro area’s ethnic festivals bring the world to our doorstep with food, music, dance and traditional clothing from around the globe. Admission is free or rock-bottom cheap; pay for food, rides and purchases. Among them are the Denver Greek Festival, June 15-17, at Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral (4610 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, 303-388-9314); and the Cherry Blossom Denver Festival, June 23-24, which is devoted to Japanese culture and heritage including martial arts, at Sakura Square (1947 Lawrence St.; details at 303-295-1844).

The Colorado Irish Festival (303-973-1209) is July 13-15 at Clement Park in Littleton; the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is July 28-29 at Sloan’s Lake (Sheridan Boulevard between West 17th and West 25th avenues; 303-953-7277); and Festival Italiano is Sept. 8-9 at Belmar in Lakewood (303-742-1520).

Kids get rolling

Parents can register online for three free bowling programs.

Brunswick Bowling’s free Summer Ball Pass 2012 is for students 18 and under, and includes one free game per day every day in June, July and August at local bowling centers. Details at coupons.bowl brunswick.com/ballpass.

With AMF Summer Unplugged, kids 15 and younger can bowl for free all summer using a weekly voucher for two free games per child per day.

And the national Kids Bowl Free program provides two free games every day at more than a dozen Colorado centers. To learn more, call 866-798-4502 or visit kidsbowlfree.com.

Nature calls

The best freebie during National Get Outdoors Day, June 9, is waived entrance fees at all 397 national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park.

Other free events on that same day include the family-friendly 5th Annual Fishing Frenzy Fishing Derby at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Center (5656 Havana St., Commerce City; details at c3gov.com/recreation or fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal); the First Annual Backcountry Community Campout in Highlands Ranch; and an open house at Dinosaur Ridge (16831 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison) with rockhounding, wildlife watching, guided tours of Dinosaur Ridge Trail, gold panning, metal detecting, fossil sifting, track painting and more.

For those who prefer to stay in the city, Get Outdoors Colorado is a free family event Denver’s City Park, also on June 9. getoutdoorscolorado.org

Informal, affordable escapes

Bargain hunters can have the joy of camping and doorstep outdoor recreation with the comfort of sleeping indoors in rustic but comfortable cabins. Save even more by preparing your own meals.

In addition to campgrounds that accommodate tents and RVs, nine of Colorado’s state parks have, among them, 58 cabins and yurts that accommodate families or groups of four or more. Rental fees from $70 per night. The closest is Golden Gate Canyon State Park; the most distant is Mancos in southwest Colorado.

Also, Larimer County’s Hermit Park near Estes Park has 15 rustic camper-cabins renting for $80-$100 per night. A bit farther afield, Larimer County rents two cabins at Horsetooth Reservoir and Flatiron Reservoir. Details at larimer.org or call 800-397-7795.

The YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park and the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch near Granby are large family-friendly resorts with reasonable rates that are bargains since they include on-site recreational activities. Options range from lodge rooms to multi-bedroom houses at reasonable prices. (The Y calls them “cabins,” but they’re way bigger.) Snow Mountain Ranch even has cool yurts. Cabin rates from $129 nightly. 800-777-9622.

The best price of all

Off-season prices at mountain resorts are great to begin with. But some mountain resorts offer additional getaway savings, like a fourth night free when you pay for the first three.

You can do this in Vail; find out more by calling 800-805-2457 or visiting vail.com (click on “Plan a Trip,” then “Vacation Deals”).

Book a summer or fall stay in Telluride by June 15 and receive every fourth night of lodging free in a condominium or vacation home. Find out more by calling 970-728-3388 or visiting telluridelodging.com (use promo code “4SUMMER”).

And Breckenridge’s midweek special gives you a fifth night free when you book four. 800-536-1890 or breckenridge.com.

Lest we forget …

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Aurora History Museum, Boulder History Museum, Bluff Lake Nature Center, Colorado Railroad Museum, Denver Firefighters Museum, Foothills Art Center, Mizel Museum and other local institutions all offer free days to Colorado residents throughout the year. (Note that you’ll have to wait until fall for the free day at the Denver Zoo.) The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District tax funds this great local perk. Look for a complete list of remaining 2012 free days at scfd.org.

-Claire Walter of Boulder and Laura Daily

Author: Mile High Mamas