Headed into the mountain for some fun? Enjoy! But know that thousands of your not-so-closest friends are planning to do the same on any given weekend or holiday, creating bumper-to-bumper-to-bumper traffic. That’s why the Colorado Department of Transportation has teamed with I-70 corridor businesses and communities to get you off the highway during peak times. [Read more…] about Website Lists Deals to Detour You Off I-70
Why I Am Kicking My Nearest King Soopers To The Curb
Normally, we don’t post many personal experiences on MHOTC, but sometimes we just have to vent and you, our favorite Mile High Cheapskates, are always willing to listen. Yesterday, I headed to my closest King Soopers for some light shopping. As some of you are aware, I often use coupons to pick up extra items to donate to local charities. Using coupons in combination with a sale can sometimes shave the price on food or toiletries down to mere pennies or just the sales tax. My latest outing was to pick up some Colgate toothbrushes. My closest King Soopers is at Monaco & Leetsdale and even when other King Soopers are out of stock for a particular sale item, this store usually has them. Now, I know why. [Read more…] about Why I Am Kicking My Nearest King Soopers To The Curb
‘No Charge’ Help with Chores for Area Seniors
Everyone can use a helping hand now and again. The Senior Resource Center, a nonprofit which provides services to seniors, offers a Chore Service Program at no charge. It’s available to residents age 60 and older and there are no strings attached – no testing or income requirements. You can get help with chores in any home or apartment, up to three (3) times a year. [Read more…] about ‘No Charge’ Help with Chores for Area Seniors
Use OpenTable, Dine Out For Free
If you like dining out, but hate trying to make a reservation, check out OpenTable.com. This is one of our favorite websites. Why? You simply type in the date and time you want to dine, number of people in your party and general location or neighborhood you want to dine in. Presto! The system tells you which restaurants have available tables. Talk about a time saver — and time is money — no waiting on hold or until the restaurant opens. [Read more…] about Use OpenTable, Dine Out For Free
Like To Eat? Join Denver Focus Groups and Earn Some Cash
This post is paid for by one of our valued community partners. Their support helps us keep bringing you news about deals and events in the Denver/Boulder area. Read full disclosure here.
Paid content. Do you like dining at restaurants? How would you like to get paid to eat? This is no scam. Food & Drink Resources (FDR) Research & Innovation Center opened its Denver focus group facility in 2014. Now they’ve created the FDR Research & Innovation Center, a fully-equipped space where food, beverage and restaurant clients can test new concepts, recipes and products.
The company hosts focus groups and taste tests regularly and is looking for locals who love to eat and share their thoughts. FDR is now also doing some studies for non-food clients — not a ton but some, so even if you aren’t a foodie this could be a fun gig.
Consumer research projects pay pretty well — between $30 and $250 depending on the type of study and time commitment. It’s FREE to sign up. [Read more…] about Like To Eat? Join Denver Focus Groups and Earn Some Cash
Pop Culture Classroom: Low-Cost, Fun Educational Workshops For Kids
How do you make learning fun? Try board games, cosplay and comic books. That’s the philosophy of Pop Culture Classroom, the nonprofit organization behind Denver Comic Con. The group is hosting a series of after-school educational workshops for local kids on topics they already love. Most workshops are priced at an affordable $10. [Read more…] about Pop Culture Classroom: Low-Cost, Fun Educational Workshops For Kids
Denver’s Brewery Calendar
To say that Denver’s brewery scene is exploding is almost an understatement. Colorado has the second highest number of craft breweries in the nation. At last count, more than 350 of them across Colorado, with 150 or so in the Mile High City. That doesn’t include a growing number of distilleries and cideries.
Many of the breweries are in the heart of the city (especially LoDo, Lower Downtown) and RiNo. But they’re showing up in the Highland and Berkeley neighborhoods, Arvada, and of course, Golden. The events of more of these breweries are being added to Mile High on the Cheap. [Read more…] about Denver’s Brewery Calendar
Free & Fun Nature and History Programs Through JeffCo Open Space
Connecting with the natural world is easy in Colorado. All you have to do is head east to the plains or west into the mountains. FREE programs take place in a variety of Jefferson County Open Space parks including Lookout Mountain Nature Center (LMNC) and the Hiwan Homestead Museum, throughout the year. The Center offers a variety of nature programs with topics that explore the diversity and richness of the foothills. Discover wildlife, plants, geology, astronomy and more. [Read more…] about Free & Fun Nature and History Programs Through JeffCo Open Space
German Fest Denver Means Food, Fun, Music and Polka
Break out the lederhosen! It’s time for German Fest 2018. The event takes place Saturday & Sunday, July 21 & 22 at the Lakewood Heritage Center. Expect plenty of food, beer, music, dancing, and activities for the kids. Central to the Festival is The Beer Garden filled with benches and tables. The tents are large enough to allowing celebrating to continue even if it rains. Surrounding the beer garden are a variety of vendors with European crafts and food. [Read more…] about German Fest Denver Means Food, Fun, Music and Polka
JeffCo Open Space Offers Free, Fun Nature & History Programs
Connecting with the natural world is easy in Colorado. All you have to do is head east to the plains or west into the mountains. FREE programs take place in a variety of Jefferson County Open Space parks, including Lookout Mountain Nature Center (LMNC) and the Hiwan Homestead Museum, throughout the year. The Center offers a variety of nature programs with topics that explore the diversity and richness of the foothills. Discover wildlife, plants, geology, astronomy and more. [Read more…] about JeffCo Open Space Offers Free, Fun Nature & History Programs
MHOTC Getaway: Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop
No matter the time of year, there are times when you just need a good, long soak. And, I’m not talking your bathtub, even if it comes equipped with spa jets. Colorado may be best known for its ski slopes, 14ers and brew pubs, but when it comes to hot springs, we aren’t too shabby. In fact, the state’s hot springs are kinda cool.
The ultimate hot springs itinerary is a 720-mile route called the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop along several roads designated as Colorado Scenic Byways. Starting from any of the five resort towns, take a week to 10 days to really experience these special places. [Read more…] about MHOTC Getaway: Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop
Need To Get Rid of Hard-To-Recycle Items? SustainAbility Can Help
While many of us sit on our recyclable items, like a squirrel hoarding a winter nut stash, until we find a neighborhood or community recycling event, there is a year-round affordable alternative. Check out SustainAbility, a one-stop recycle site. [Read more…] about Need To Get Rid of Hard-To-Recycle Items? SustainAbility Can Help
Hunger Free Hotline Helps Coloradans Find Food
Help is just a phone call away for families, seniors and other individuals who are seeking food assistance anywhere in Colorado. Hunger Free Hotline, is a FREE bilingual “one-stop” resource that helps you find food assistance programs in your area. This can include food pantries, free meal sites and nutrition programs such as food stamps. Hunger Free Colorado’s food assistance navigators provide help based on each caller’s need.
They not only answer questions but also ensure that callers receive needed information—from directions and hours of operations to help applying for nutrition programs. To reach the hotline, call 855-855-4626 (that’s a toll-free number) or 720-382-2920.
You can get a real person from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday or after-hours you can leave a message. All calls are kept confidential, and messages will be returned the next business day.
Free Attraction & Museum Passes Thru Jeffco Library
The Jefferson County Public Library offers FREE passes to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Firefighters Museum, Dinosaur Ridge, the Denver Trolley, Golden History Museums, History Colorado Center, MCA Denver. Molly Brown House, Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum and Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys.
Passes are available in limited quantities each day and allow different numbers of people to enter the attraction at no cost. You must have a current JCPL library card (you’ll need the number handy to get your pass), but any Colorado resident can get a card, as long as you present some sort of photo ID at any one of its library locations.
Because the Culture Pass page can be sorted by date, the simplest method is to pick your day and see what’s available.
Laura Lets Loose: News You Can Use
Here’s the latest… What’s this? Another MHOTC column? Well… sort of. I know many of you love reading Bryan Blathers and while I’m not one to muse at length on a specific topic, I have come to realize that there are all sorts of tidbits of news and snippets of advice I have to offer on how to find a deal or save money.
Often these come to me as I’m out-and-about, in casual conversation, read social media or from your emails. Sometimes I wake up at 3 a.m. and I realize we published some terrific event or deal eons ago and it has fallen off your radar.
Most are short and not worth a standalone post, but noteworthy enough that it gnaws at me I haven’t shared.
So I’ve decided to pull all these bits and pieces together. I can’t promise a set schedule or fancy format. I just want to let you know, what I know, when I know it.
Sometimes, Bryan may even jump in, as he’s the master of scouting out deals and the fine print that often comes with them. Here’s the latest news you can use: [Read more…] about Laura Lets Loose: News You Can Use
Check It Out: New Garage Sale Page Launches This Week
April showers may bring May flowers, but also sprouting up are garage sales. And so, we re-introduce MHOTC’s Garage Sales page (one of the tabs at the top of every page) this week. This is our brand new interactive map created in partnership with the folks at Garage Sales by Map, one of our favorite “go-to” garage, yard and estate sale sites. We think (actually, we know) you are going to love it, because it lists garage sales of all sizes across the Front Range. Some listings even boast photos of the stuff being sold. Best of all, you can add your own sale (or your neighborhood/community sale) and know it will be seen not only by MHOTC readers, but across the entire GSalR network – which is huge, as in millions of shoppers. Adding a sale is easy and FREE. Simply, click on Add A Sale at the top right of the map. That will take you to GSalR.com where you will need to set up an account with your email address, but it only takes a second. Then, post your sale – one home or dozens. You can even add photos or pay a small amount to GSalR to be “featured.” As we start to hear about large community sales, we’ll highlight a few each week in our Garage Sale post, so send an email to info@milehighonthecheap.com if your neighborhood has one planned. And, let us know what you think of the new page in the comment section below.
Borrow Tech Gadgets For Free at Arapahoe Libraries
Here’s one of the best deals we’ve come across and another reason to love, love, love our local libraries. Did you know that Arapahoe Library District cardholders can check out all sorts of gadgets for FREE? These include iPad Minis, Nooks, Go Pro cameras, Garmin GPS units, video cameras and solar light bulbs. Gadgets can be borrowed for seven days to three weeks, depending on the item. Some can be renewed and a few can even be placed “on hold” (reserved). But for some items, like the iPads, you need to see what’s available at what library and then go over and get it, no holds allowed. You’ll need to sign a borrower agreement and you want to return the item on time (don’t mess with a library, they will find you if you walk off with one of their gadgets). Find more details here. And remember, all Colorado residents can apply for an Arapahoe Library card. Thanks Jacqueline for sending us this tip!
$1 Admission to Denver Museums For SNAP Recipients
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients can now gain entry to three museums for just $1 per person. These include the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Art Museum, Wings Over The Rockies, Butterfly Pavilion ($2 per person), History Colorado Center and the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus. This program is valid for SNAP recipients in all Colorado counties and good for up to 10 people at any of the participating museums.
Here’s how it works: Just show your EBT card at the ticket counter. An EBT card can not be used to make purchases in the museum gift shops, cafés or to buy admission tickets. At DMNS, any Planetarium, IMAX and temporary exhibition tickets must be purchased separately and do not qualify for the SNAP discount. Special exhibits at History Colorado also do not qualify for the discount. At the Children’s Museum, all adults must be accompanied by a child.
Free Computer Classes at JeffCo Libraries
Libraries can teach you the basics (and not so basic) about computers for FREE. Jefferson County Public Library is another system that hosts a number of classes. Virtually all its libraries including Arvada, Belmar, Evergreen, Golden, Lakewood, and Standley Lake, offer classes ranging from Internet basics and social media to workshops on using Word and Excel. Here’s a link to their current schedule. There are even special interest classes such as how to sell your stuff online. All classes are FREE, but you do need to register by calling 303-235-5275.
Spread the Word. Send Us Your Deal
Hey, MHOTC readers! As the go-to site for deals and discounts across the Front Range, you can help businesses (big and small), community activities and cultural events reach more readers just like you. How can you help? We define ourself as “a community of Mile High Cheapskates” and the best way to contribute is to share your knowledge.
Tell your friends at local cultural and entertainment facilities, including theaters, concert halls, nightclubs, museums and attractions, to put us on their mailing or media list. Plus, we want to hear about sales and community events, so keep MHOTC in mind when you spot a deal, discount or online coupon at your favorite neighborhood restaurant, shop, salon or gym. [Read more…] about Spread the Word. Send Us Your Deal