Welcome to "In Focus", a quick note from me to you where you’ll find updates on key SCFD focus points like reauthorization and SCFD’s ongoing organizational development. First, I want to offer immense gratitude for the warm welcome and support from our amazing SCFD community - my heart is full! As I round out my first 100 days as Executive Director, I want to share some exciting updates with you. Our talented team has been busy preparing for our Road to Reauthorization and have achieved a couple of big milestones. 

Stakeholder Engagement Contractor Selected 

Following a robust RFP process and careful review of submitted proposals, I am delighted to share that SCFD has selected GBSM to support phases 1-5 of its upcoming Stakeholder Engagement Process in preparation for a 2028 reauthorization. GBSM’s work kicks off in December 2025 and will begin with an onboarding process with SCFD staff. Their work will continue in the new year by conducting additional analysis to build a stakeholder engagement strategy rooted in the board-approved framework. This will help us gather feedback and forge consensus on the right framework for the district as we consider what is best for the next era of SCFD era. Read the full announcement here. And stay tuned, we'll be sharing bios of the project team in the new year so you can get to know our partners in this work.

Senior Advisory Role for Deborah Jordy Begins

I am grateful for the opportunity to work directly with Deborah Jordy in her new advisory role that took effect in November. Together, we defined the focus of her role, and Deborah has begun providing input on overarching reauthorization strategy as well as developing a framework for our Speakers’ Bureau. Deborah and I are working closely together to ensure we align with the district's upcoming 2026 priorities and are maximizing the impact of her expertise. 

We have a full and exciting new year ahead of us, and we’re looking forward to continuing this important work together. To stay informed of the ongoing stakeholder engagement process and to be updated about opportunities to participate, please ensure you add this email address to your contacts and bookmark our Road to Reauthorization webpage. 

Engage with Us

Seeking Members for County Cultural Councils

There are three openings on the Adams County Cultural Council. Interested applicants can learn more about the council here.

There are four openings on the Douglas County Cultural Council - two in District 1 and two in District 3. Interested applicants can learn more and apply here.

Community Screenings: The Art of Growth

In celebration of our cultural community, SCFD and our funded partners are hosting FREE community screenings of "The Art of Growth" across the seven-county district! There's one more chance to see the film out and about this year at the Denver Art Museum on December 9. Find more information and snag tickets here.

Check out CBCA's Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture

This biennial report quantifies the economic contributions of SCFD-funded organizations in the Denver metro area. In 2024, cultural organizations generated $3.12 billion in economic activity! Learn more here.

Of note, CBCA staff are able to present this data in-person or virtually to chambers of commerce, economic development councils, city councils, boards of directors, or other civic, cultural or business groups across the region. Please contact CBCA at main@cbca.org to learn more or schedule a presentation.

Free Days/Events

Organizations from across the metro area provide hundreds of free days and free programs each year, made possible in part, by funding from SCFD. Some organizations are free every day such as the Broomfield Veterans Museum, Foothills Art Center, Colorado Music Hall of Fame, Depot Art Gallery, and the Louisville History Museum. Here are a few free days on tap for December:

• Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave – Dec. 3
• The Upstart Crow Theatre Company Open Dress Rehearsal – Dec. 3
• Denver Museum of Nature & Science – Dec. 8
• Denver Art Museum – Dec. 9
• City of Aurora's Plains Conservation Center, managed by Denver Botanic Gardens – Dec. 11
• Four Mile Historic Park – Dec. 19
• Brightonmusic Choir and Orchestra's holiday concert – Dec. 14
• Colorado Chamber Players' Harp for the Holidays – Dec. 30

Tune into the SCFD Wonder-Cast with Heidi Echtenkamp

In the upcoming episode of the SCFD Wonder-Cast, meet Heidi Echtenkamp, the Wardrobe Supervisor at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Learn more about Heidi's job behind the scenes of the DCPA's productions, and her journey through the world of theatre to create the magic behind the seamless costume changes we see on stage. The episode will drop on Wednesday, December 3!

SCFD Board of Directors News

A board of directors governs the SCFD with representation from district member counties Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson and four governor's appointees. The board oversees district funding and ensures the district is running the way voters intended. The board meets eight times a year and all meetings are open to the public.

• The next meeting of the SCFD Board of Directors will be hosted virtually at 1:00 p.m. on February 26, 2026. Get information for joining meetings.

We Fund Culture

Thanks to the voters and residents of the seven-county metro area, SCFD has come a long way in its more than 35 years of existence. SCFD is the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, a tax collected and distributed to more than 300 cultural organizations in our seven-county Denver metro region including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties. Just one penny on every $10 spent in the district creates vibrancy for us individually and collectively.

SCFD | scfd.org