Colorado Ballet

A nonprofit organization

$98,163 raised by 178 donors

98% complete

$100,000 Goal

As 2023 comes to an end, Colorado Ballet invites you to join us for a magical end of year giving campaign inspired by the timeless classic, The Nutcracker. Just like the Nutcracker Prince takes us on a journey to the Land of Sweets, your donation can help us create a world of wonder and artistry on stage. 

We have a goal of raising $100,000 this giving season that will go towards supporting: 

  • THE PROFESSIONAL COMPANY: Donations help Colorado Ballet hire outstanding dancers and invest in productions that include beautiful sets and costumes and live music provided by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.  
  • EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS: Colorado Ballet makes 40,000 contacts each year in 200 schools and organizations serving a variety of youth, families, teachers, and people with and without disabilities. Support provides programs to students and community members least likely to access dance independently and for whom it could have the greatest impact 
  • THE RAYDEAN ACEVEDO COLORADO BALLET ACADEMY: The Academy serves over 1,200 students from toddlers to seniors each year. As a premier institute for classical ballet and official school of Colorado Ballet, Academy students receive professional classical ballet training and mentorship from our faculty members that extends beyond the dance studio.  Donations make these opportunities available to all students and help attract top talent to study at Colorado Ballet. 

Your gift today will go twice as far, thanks to a generous $25,000 match opportunity from long-time supporters Jane and Skip Netzorg. Your gift and your impact will be doubled!  

Make a Gift


Testimonials

"Many of these students have never participated in an event that displays the arts. Many of them went home to tell their families about what they saw and how incredible it would be for the whole family to see something like that." 

          -Teacher after a student matinee performance 


“The combinations of the music, dance, on-stage chorus for Carmina Burana, orchestra, sets, and costumes -- are world class. I've never had a dance performance move me so much. I said [to my friend] 'it is a privilege to be able to describe something like this, and then I cried."  

          -Audio describer Bonnie Barlow after previewing Ballet MasterWorks 


“Thank you thank you thank you for doing this!!!! We have 3 boys with special needs, and this is the best way for us to attend without making it a painful experience for them. This would not have been possible for us without this being a special performance as well as the reduced pricing! Their special needs means I can’t work and all their therapies cost more than we can make as a one income household, I know that’s common in special need homes, so I truly thank you guys for this!!!!” 
         -Attendee after The Nutcracker with sensory- friendly adaptations 

Mission

Colorado Ballet's mission is to present exceptional classical ballet and contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement while inspiring and growing an increasingly diverse audience base.

Background Statement

1961 – Colorado Ballet is founded as a ballet school by Denver natives Freidann Parker and Lillian Covillo, then known as the Colorado Concert Ballet.

1961/1962 Season – Denver's first full-length production of The Nutcracker. The six performances of the holiday classic were completely sold out, ushering in a beloved tradition that has continued today.

2006 – The renovated Auditorium Theater reopened as the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and is today's primary performance venue for Colorado Ballet.

2006-2007 season – Gil Boggs began his tenure as Artistic Director of Colorado Ballet. During his 17-seasons, Colorado Ballet has added to its expansive repertoire and received some of the best critical reviews and ticket sales in its history. Under Gil's leadership, Colorado Ballet has grown into a world-class ballet company presenting more than 50 classical and contemporary performances. Moreover, six recent seasons achieved record-breaking ticket sales.

2014 – For the first time in its history, Colorado Ballet owned its home, The Armstrong Center for Dance. The 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art rehearsal and training facility now houses 36 professional Company dancers, 21 Studio Company dancers, 1,200 Academy students, and many community programs.

2016 – Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker was named the best-loved Nutcracker in the 10th Annual Goldstar National Nutcracker Award contest, winning this coveted honor in a field that included more than 80 other productions throughout the U.S.

Present Day – As one of the oldest and most successful arts organizations in the region, Colorado Ballet continues to present world-class productions and its audience grows every year. The last four seasons have been the most successful in Colorado Ballet’s history, breaking both revenue and attendance records.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Colorado Ballet

Year Established

1961

Tax id (EIN)

84-6038137

Category

Arts, Culture & Humanities, Education

Organization Size

Large Organization

Address

1075 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204

Service areas

Denver County, CO, US

Phone

303-339-1642

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