On Wednesday evening, Denver advocates and survivors converged on East Colfax for a string of Denim Day events, turning the longtime symbol of solidarity into a tight, two-hour push for cash and community support. At Champagne Tiger, the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) hosted a city gathering to mark the international observance and rally donations for local programs feeling the financial squeeze. Organizers cast the night as both a celebration of survivors and a sober response to shrinking federal grants that have forced providers to rethink how they keep doors open.
Event In Denver
Billed as a "Denim Day Party," the Colfax event ran from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with free registration and a suggested $50 donation, according to Eventbrite. The listing names Champagne Tiger as the host venue and invites community members to "lean into joy" while showing up for survivors, blending fundraiser urgency with a more upbeat, evening-out vibe.
What Is Denim Day?
Denim Day started as a survivor-led protest and has grown into a global observance held on the last Wednesday in April, built around a simple point: clothing is never an excuse for sexual violence. The campaign urges people to wear jeans and organize educational actions that challenge victim-blaming and bolster support services for survivors, according to Denim Day.
Funding In Flux
Behind the party vibe is a tense budget reality. Statewide coalitions warn that federal VOCA grants to Colorado have dropped sharply, tightening the screws on providers. In a recent press release, CCASA said the state's VOCA award "is expected to drop 40–50%," a cut officials say will trigger reductions in staffing and services, according to Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The release notes that victim services programs across the state are bracing for those "major reductions," which is why smaller fundraisers and private sponsorships have taken on outsized importance.
Who's Backing The Event
Local partners lined up to give the Denver gathering some extra lift. The Women's Foundation of Colorado spotlighted CCASA's work in a blog post and urged supporters to take part in Colorado Denim Day, as noted by Women’s Foundation of Colorado. State agencies and workplace teams also launched Denim Day fundraising campaigns benefiting the coalition, according to ColoradoGives.
How To Help
For those who missed Wednesday's Colfax event, CCASA outlines multiple ways to contribute — online, by mail, or through workplace giving — and offers recurring sustainer options for longer-term support. The national Denim Day campaign also provides an Action Kit and fundraising tools for individuals and groups looking to host their own events or crowdfunders. More details are available via the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Action Kit from Peace Over Violence.
