Friday, April 10, 2026
Doors open at 5:30 PM
The Denver Art Museum, Lanny & Sharon Martin Building
100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204
Attire: Black Tie
This exclusive event will celebrate an extraordinary convergence of Colorado history in 2026: our state's 150th anniversary, Central City Opera's 94th Summer Festival season, and the highly anticipated return of The Ballad of Baby Doe to our historic stage in July — 70 years after we commissioned this iconic American opera that immortalized Colorado's silver barons and the mining boom that built our state.
Join us for an unforgettable evening honoring the pioneering spirit that built Colorado — the audacity of silver barons, the dreams of prospectors, and the vision that brought grand opera to a mountain town. Set against the Denver Art Museum's architectural splendor, we'll gather to enjoy cocktails, dinner, and live performances while raising essential support for Central City Opera's mission. Dress in your finest gold and silver as a tribute to the precious metals and bold elegance that defined Colorado's Gilded Age.
5:30 pm — Cocktails & Reception
7:00 pm — Seated Dinner
8:00 pm — Live Auction, Paddle Raise, and Performances
Gala Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
About Central City Opera
Founded in 1932, Central City Opera is the fifth oldest professional opera company in the country and is renowned for exquisite world-class productions, a robust young artist training program, creative education activities and community engagement. Our annual summer opera festival takes place at 8,500 feet above sea level in the Colorado mountain town of Central City, only 35 miles west of Denver, where the company owns and maintains 27 Victorian-era properties, including the intimate 550-seat jewel box opera house built in 1878.
