Colorado Gives Day: Supporting Organizations Making a Difference Across Colorado

Colorado Gives Day is a statewide giving movement organized by the Colorado Gives Foundation, bringing Coloradans together to support nonprofits and causes that matter most to them. Through one unified platform, individuals can discover organizations, make donations, and contribute to important work happening throughout the state. The Foundation also offers incentives, including matching funds and prizes, to encourage participation and increase the impact of donations.

In recognition of Colorado Gives Day on December 8th, we’re highlighting several organizations making a difference in conservation, agriculture, environmental education, food access, and the arts. Many have also been featured on the Mirr Ranch Group podcast, where we’ve had the opportunity to learn more about their missions and the work they do.

Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust

Founded in 1995, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) works with landowners to protect Colorado’s working lands, wildlife habitat, and agricultural heritage. Through voluntary conservation easements and stewardship programs, CCALT helps ranching families keep their properties intact, productive, and protected from development.

To date, the organization has helped more than 500 families conserve over 850,000 acres across Colorado. Its recent conservation efforts include the protection of more than 17,000 acres of the historic Nottingham Ranch in Eagle and Routt Counties.

Projects like these demonstrate the important role private landowners and conservation partnerships play in protecting Colorado’s agricultural landscapes for future generations.

Douglas Land Conservancy

The Douglas Land Conservancy works alongside landowners, local governments, and conservation partners to protect open space, wildlife habitat, and important natural landscapes throughout Douglas County.

One example is the 1,390-acre Mark Weston Open Space at Spruce Mountain near Larkspur. Once considered for a major resort development, the property was preserved through conservation partnerships and now offers miles of trails, wildlife habitat, and scenic views of Colorado’s Front Range.

In 2026, the property was renamed in honor of Mark Weston, a longtime conservation advocate who helped protect thousands of acres throughout Douglas County.

Today, this protected landscape provides opportunities for outdoor recreation while preserving important natural resources for future generations.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver Botanic Gardens is a leader in plant conservation, environmental education, and sustainable agriculture. Its work extends beyond its Denver gardens, supporting biodiversity, sustainable growing practices, and opportunities for communities to connect with the natural world.

One of its recent initiatives is the Chatfield Farms Solar Garden, a five-acre project combining renewable energy with agricultural production. During its first growing season in 2025, the garden produced more than 1,200 pounds of food for five community partners, with continued success in 2026.

The solar panels also generate electricity to support Chatfield Farms and part of the York Street location while providing subsidized electricity to low-income Denver Public Schools families.

The project demonstrates how agriculture, renewable energy, and community partnerships can work together to address environmental and social needs.

The GrowHaus

The GrowHaus is a Denver-based nonprofit dedicated to improving access to fresh, healthy food and building a more equitable food system. Through food distribution, nutrition education, and community partnerships, the organization helps families overcome barriers to affordable, nutritious food.

The GrowHaus has continued expanding its impact, helping more than 7,500 Denver residents access nutritious food and distributing over 88,000 pounds of fresh produce each month.

Its work highlights the importance of local food systems and community partnerships in supporting Colorado families.

High Line Canal Conservancy

Founded in 2014, the High Line Canal Conservancy works to preserve, protect, and enhance the 71-mile High Line Canal, one of the Denver metro area’s most important recreational and natural corridors.

Through habitat restoration, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, the organization helps ensure this historic green space remains accessible and ecologically healthy.

In 2025, the Conservancy invested more than $1 million in natural resource restoration, planted 100 trees with community partners, and engaged nearly 1,000 volunteers who helped remove more than 11,000 pounds of trash. The organization also completed a comprehensive natural resource management plan to guide future conservation efforts.

These initiatives demonstrate how conservation can make a meaningful difference in urban communities by protecting wildlife habitat and connecting residents with the outdoors.

More Colorado Organizations Worth Supporting

Beyond these featured nonprofits, several additional organizations are doing important work throughout Colorado.

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is dedicated to conserving birds and their habitats through scientific research, education, and partnerships with landowners. Since 1988, the organization has worked to monitor bird populations, restore critical habitats, and promote conservation practices across the Rocky Mountain region and Great Plains. Its partnerships with ranchers and farmers demonstrate the connection between working lands and healthy wildlife populations.

Art Students League of Denver has provided accessible arts education and creative opportunities since 1987. Through classes, workshops, scholarships, exhibitions, and community outreach, the organization supports artists of all backgrounds and experience levels. In 2026, its 33rd annual Summer Art Market featured more than 200 Colorado artists, while its educational programs continue reaching more than 14,000 students annually.

Make a Difference This Colorado Gives Day

Colorado’s nonprofit organizations play an important role in protecting the state’s landscapes, supporting local communities, and preserving opportunities for future generations. Their work depends on partnerships, volunteers, and individuals who believe in their missions.

Colorado Gives Day offers an opportunity to learn more about these organizations and support the causes that matter most to you.

Visit ColoradoGives.org to explore participating nonprofits and make a donation. We also encourage you to listen to our podcast conversations with several of these organizations to learn more about their work and the impact they’re making across Colorado.