Downtown Employee Appreciation Week
Monday - Sunday, June 1 - 7, 2026
Downtown Boulder works because you do. From early mornings to late nights, your energy, hustle, and heart are what keep this place thriving, and we don’t take that lightly.
Each year, the Downtown Boulder Partnership teams up with downtown businesses and community partners to celebrate the people behind it all. Employee Appreciation Week is your invitation to enjoy exclusive offers, pop-ins, and a little extra fun...all designed with you in mind.
If you work anywhere downtown, (office, restaurant, retail, or anything in between), or if your business is a member of the Downtown Boulder Partnership...YOU-ARE-IN. This week is for you!
To participate, you must pick up a sticker that will identify you as a downtown employee (or member). Stop by the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center (1303 Pearl Street) starting Tuesday, May 26 through Sunday, June 7 from 10 am - 8 pm daily. Can’t leave work? Request a digital sticker instead.
If you pick up your sticker in person, the City of Boulder will be providing $5.00 off parking coupons (limited to 400 employees while supplies last). Coupon can only be used one time from June 1 - 7, 2026.. Valid at City of Boulder Parking Garages (except the one location at 1434 Spruce, which is a private garage).
You can pick up/request stickers for your colleagues...however, only the person doing so is eligible to be entered into the drawing for one of these prizes:
- $200 gift set from Taspen's Organic Wellness
- $156 honey gift basket from Savannah Bee Company
- $125 Home or Business Healing Gift Card from Boulder Psychic Institute
- $65 gift card to Pompadours Hair Salon
Look through the sections below to learn more about the fun ways we are celebrating all downtown employees with Stacked: a Pancake Breakfast, Happy Hour & Headshots, Downtown Showdown Games, Downtown Creates, and Employee Spotlights!
Bank of Colorado is the Official Prize Vault of Employee Appreciation Week!
Winners of the prizes will be notified on Friday, June 5.
Check back often for updates. Questions? Email us.
Downtown Employee Perks
Just for you - all week long
You are invited by restaurants, retailers, and other downtown businesses to enjoy a special discount, promotion, or treat in their shops.
Map out who you are going to visit this week!
Remember your Downtown Employee Sticker!
Stacked: a Pancake Breakfast
Tuesday, June 2 | 8:30 am - 10 am
Hosted at Avanti / Mangia Panino
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and we’re making it one of the most fun, too.
Swing by Mangia Panino located on the first floor of Avanti Food & Beverage on the 1400 block for Stacked, our downtown pancake breakfast. Grab a fresh stack of pancakes, treats from the bakers at Mindful Works, pour yourself a cup of coffee (or purchase a specialty coffee at Bona Coffee Roasters), and take a little time to connect with fellow downtown employees, neighbors, and friends before the workday gets rolling.
Whether you stay for a quick bite or linger a little longer, it’s a great chance to meet new people, celebrate the downtown community, and maybe even walk away with a prize or two.
Remember your Downtown Employee Sticker!
Even if breakfast isn't your thing, employees can stop by and enter to win prizes from: Big Red F Restaurant Group, Boulder Dushanbe Tea House, Liberty Puzzles, Pasta Jays, Pasta Press, Pedestrian Shops, Pendleton, Pompadours Hair Salon, Prana, Postino Boulder, River and Woods, and more!
Registration Deadline is Monday, June 1
Downtown Showdown & Happy Hour
Let the minute-to-win-it games begin
This downtown tradition is back with a fresh twist designed to bring even more teams into the action. Gather your co-workers, friends, or neighboring businesses and assemble a team of 6–8 people to compete in a series of fast-paced, minute-to-win-it style challenges that are equal parts skill, strategy, chaos, and fun.
You don’t need to be an athlete to compete—just ready to laugh, cheer on your teammates, and embrace a little friendly competition. Expect quick games, big energy, hilarious moments, and plenty of downtown bragging rights on the line.
Returning teams already know: this event gets competitive in the best way possible. And if you’ve never joined us before, this is your year.
Teams can recharge between rounds at the recovery station from Allo Fiber.
You won’t want to miss this year’s showdown to earn bragging rights, the coveted traveling trophy or one of the top team prizes from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Pasta Jay's, or Big Red F Restaurant Group. Plus, prizes from Mountain Sun ($100!) for Best Costume and Gemini ($100!) for Best Team Name
Registration deadline is Monday, June 1, 2026
Happy Hour & Headshots
Thursday, June 4 | 4:30 pm - 6 pm
Hosted at Bank of Colorado
Step away from your business or desk and into something a little more social. We’re bringing a fresh take on networking to Employee Appreciation Week. Hosted by our partners at Bank of Colorado (1102 Pearl St., Suite 201), this downtown happy hour brings together professionals from across industries to unwind, mingle, and celebrate the people who keep downtown thriving.
Enjoy bites from Mangia Panino, drinks, prizes, and great company with optional professional headshots available on-site, plus touch-ups from JAM Hair Studio if you’d like to refresh your LinkedIn profile while you are there.
Whether you’re growing your network or simply looking for a fun way to connect after work, this is your space to show up and be part of the downtown community.
Bonus: we prizes to give away from the following businesses: Backcountry, Colorado Glass Works, Kantor & Company Salon, Lindsay's Boulder Deli @ Haagen-Dazs, Mountain Sun, Pasta Press, Pasta Jay, Pedestrian Shops, Pompadours Salon, River and Woods, Savvy on Pearl and more!
Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 3, 2026
RSVP For the Happy Hour and/or Select a Time for your Headshot
Downtown Creates
Your perspective. Your creativity. Your downtown.
We know downtown Boulder is full of creativity, and now it’s your turn to show it off.
Submit a photo, poem, sketch, coloring page, short note, or any creative piece inspired by downtown Boulder for a chance to win prizes* and be featured during Employee Appreciation Week.
Whether you’re artistic, funny, thoughtful, or just want to show some downtown love, we want to see your creative perspective.
GRAND PRIZE:
$100 Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery
*Other prizes donated from: Colorado Glass Works, Gelato Boy, Mountain Sun, Pedestrian Shops, Pendleton, Pompadours Hair Salon, and more!
Deadline to Submit Your Creative Piece is Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
We'll be judging standout entries based on two key elements:
Creativity - Show us a fresh or surprising reflection of downtown life.
Downtown Spirit - Does your piece truly capture the vibe, energy, or beauty of downtown Boulder?
Employee Spotlights
Who on your team deserves a shout-out?
Shine the light on our incredible downtown employees by nominating them for an Employee Spotlight. You can nominate a co-worker, your favorite coffee barista, waiter or any other downtown employee who deserves special recognition.
Employees who are nominated will receive any number of prizes from: Big Red F Restaurant Group, Gelato Boy, Illegal Pete's, Kantor & Co, Mountain Sun, Organic Sandwich, Pasta Press, Postino Boulder and more!
Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 3, 2026
The MVPs of Employee Appreciation Week!
