Denver Businesses Step Up With Free Meals And Services For Furloughed Federal Workers

During one of the longest government shutdowns on record, more than 800,000 federal employees across the country found themselves without regular paychecks, creating financial strain on households nationwide. In response, communities rallied to support those affected, with Denver businesses leading the way in offering free meals, discounts, and services to furloughed workers. The Denver metro area saw an outpouring of support from restaurants, breweries, hotels, and other establishments, all requiring valid federal identification to access these special offers.

Restaurant and Food Establishment Offers

Denver's hospitality industry responded generously to the needs of furloughed federal employees, with numerous restaurants and food establishments providing complimentary meals and discounts. These offers ranged from complete free meals to specific menu items and beverages, with many extending their generosity throughout the duration of the government shutdown.

Complete Free Meals

Several establishments offered complete free meals to furloughed federal employees:

• Señor Bear: Government employees with valid IDs received a free bowl of pozole (pork, hominy, and red chile broth) and a beer from 5 p.m. until close Mondays through Thursdays until the end of the shutdown.
• The Crafty Fox Taphouse & Pizzeria: Provided a free meal to furloughed federal workers who showed their employment ID, with the offer running until the end of the day Wednesday, January 16.
• Oblio's Pizzeria: Federal workers and their immediate families could eat free, with the restaurant also planning to "adopt" five federal workers and their families for the duration of the shutdown.
• Papa John's Pizza: The pizza chain offered two one-topping pizzas and a two-liter soda for free to those furloughed employees affected by the shutdown.

Free Specific Menu Items

Many businesses focused on offering specific complimentary items:

• D.C. Pie Co.: Treated furloughed employees to a free specialty cocktail of their choice with federal ID.
• Citizen Rail: Offered free meals for kids of furloughed workers through the end of the shutdown with valid ID presentation.
• Sushi-Rama: Provided a free lunch of the restaurant's signature conveyor belt sushi from Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at multiple locations (not valid at DIA).
• El Dorado Mexican Restaurant: Offered a complimentary burrito and soft drink with valid ID presentation at their Golden location.
• State 38 Distilling: Appropriately provided furloughed employees with a free shot of Impeach Vodka.
• Great Divide Brewing Company: Offered buy-one-get-one beers to furloughed employees throughout the shutdown.
• Hopdoddy: On Wednesday, January 23, this fast-casual chain offered workers a free burger, regular fries, and non-alcoholic beverage.

Discounted Meals and Special Offers

Some establishments provided special discounts rather than completely free offerings:

• Denver Central Market: Government workers could receive a free drip coffee or 50 percent off a specialty beverage (Crema); a free Juan's burrito (Izzio); a free chocolate bar (Temper); 20-percent off anything (Tammen's, Green Seed, SK Provisions, Vero, and Curio Bar); a two-pound package of ground beef or chicken (Local Butcher); and a free breakfast sandwich (Culture Meat & Cheese).
• West End Tavern: Featured a Furlough Lunch special that varied weekly, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Patrons needed to bring an ID badge or proof of employment and be prepared to pay tax and tip. Dine-in only.
• Zolo Grill: Offered a Furlough Lunch special that varied weekly, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. -3:30 p.m. Valid ID was required, and tax and tip needed to be paid.
• Fazoli's: Announced free helpings of its baked spaghetti dish for furloughed workers who purchased a small drink, an offer running through Wednesday at multiple locations.
• Sheraton Denver Tech Center Hotel: Through January 31, furloughed employees received a free flatbread pizza or Sheraton house salad with the purchase of a beverage from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Urban Farmer: From January 28 through February 1, furloughed employees could enjoy a free brunch entrée (inclusive of tax and tip) at this modern steak house from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Breakfast and Coffee Offers

Several establishments focused on breakfast and coffee offerings:

• Walnut Café: This Boulder coffee shop offered free breakfast to furloughed employees during the duration of the government shutdown. Multiple locations included the original at 3073 Walnut St., Boulder; Southside at 673 S Broadway St., Boulder; and Super Mini at 2770 Arapahoe Rd #116, Lafayette.
• Office of U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-7): Provided free breakfast and lunch (plus additional resources) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. for the duration of the shutdown at their Lakewood location.
• Modern Market Eatery: Offered complimentary meals from 5 p.m. until close to all furloughed government employees throughout the shutdown.

Non-Food Offers and Services

Beyond food and beverages, numerous Denver businesses and organizations extended offers of free services and experiences to furloughed federal employees:

Fitness and Wellness

• Yoga High Denver: Offered free yoga for furloughed employees. To schedule a class, individuals could visit www.yogahighdenver.com/schedule or call (720) 446-6324.
• Flex Yoga & Barre: Provided free classes through the shutdown for affected federal workers.

Cultural and Entertainment Venues

• Denver Art Museum: Extended free general admission to furloughed employees and one guest throughout the shutdown period.
• Colorado Symphony: Offered two free tickets to the Mendelssohn Double Concerto or the Classical Romance concerts to affected federal workers.

Additional Business Offers

• Annette: Located at The Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, furloughed employees were encouraged to stop by during happy hour (3-5 p.m.) for a complimentary grilled cheese, steak frites, or breakfast sandwich.
• Aperitivo: This Gunbarrel spot offered a free meal for up to four people, limited to once per week. Reservations could be made by calling 303-530-1326.

Financial Assistance Resources

In addition to free meals and services, several organizations provided financial assistance resources to furloughed federal employees:

• 211 Resource Line: Furloughed federal employees and government contractors in need of resources could call 211 and get connected to various services. This statewide program could help connect people to health care services, food pantries, mental health resources, childcare, utility and eviction prevention assistance, and more.
• Premier Members Credit Union (PMC): Assisted existing and potential new members by offering a fixed rate loan with no payments for 90 days and a term up to 24 months to any federal employee affected by the shutdown.

Participating Businesses by Location

For easier reference, here is a list of participating businesses organized by location:

Denver Proper

• Señor Bear: Free pozole and beer (5pm-close, M-Th) until shutdown ends
• D.C. Pie Co. (2223 E Colfax Ave.): Free specialty cocktail with federal ID
• Citizen Rail: Kids of furloughed workers eat free through shutdown end
• Denver Central Market (2669 Larimer St.): Multiple offers including free coffee, discounts
• Modern Market Eatery: Free meal from 5pm until close throughout shutdown
• Office of U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (12600 West Colfax Ave., B-400, Lakewood): Free breakfast and lunch (8:30am-5pm, M-F)
• Annette (The Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora): Complimentary food during happy hour (3-5pm)
• Urban Farmer (1659 Wazee St.): Free brunch entrée (Jan 28-Feb 1, 7am-3pm)
• Hopdoddy (1747 Wynkoop St.): Free burger, fries, and non-alcoholic beverage on Jan 23
• Papa John's Pizza: Two one-topping pizzas and two-liter soda for free

Boulder

• Walnut Café (3073 Walnut St.): Free breakfast during shutdown
• Southside Walnut Café (673 S Broadway St.): Free breakfast during shutdown
• West End Tavern (926 Pearl St.): Furlough Lunch special (11am-4pm, M-F)
• Zolo Grill (2525 Arapahoe Ave.): Furlough Lunch special (11am-3:30pm, M-F)
• Aperitivo (5530 Spine Rd.): Free meal for up to four people (once per week)

Golden

• El Dorado Mexican Restaurant (720 Arapahoe St.): Free burrito and soft drink
• State 38 Distilling (400 Corporate Cir B): Free shot of Impeach Vodka
• Great Divide Brewing Company (2201 Arapahoe St.): Buy-one-get-one beers

Other Areas

• The Crafty Fox Taphouse & Pizzeria: Free meal until Jan 16
• Sheraton Denver Tech Center Hotel (7007 S Clinton St.): Free pizza or salad with beverage purchase (through Jan 31)
• Sushi-Rama (Multiple locations, not DIA): Free lunch (11am-2pm, M-F)
• Fazoli's (Multiple locations): Free pizza or baked spaghetti with purchase of small drink
• Flex Yoga & Barre on Welton Street: Free classes through shutdown
• Oblio's Pizzeria (6115 E. 22nd St., Park Hill): Federal workers and families eat free; adopting five families

Conclusion

During a challenging period when federal employees faced financial uncertainty due to missed paychecks, the Denver business community demonstrated remarkable generosity and solidarity. Restaurants, breweries, hotels, fitness centers, and cultural venues opened their doors with free meals, discounts, and services specifically for furloughed workers. These offers not only provided immediate relief to affected families but also sent a powerful message of community support during a difficult time.

The response highlighted the importance of local businesses in times of crisis, with many establishments going beyond simple gestures to provide sustained support throughout the shutdown. From complete free meals at establishments like Oblio's Pizzeria to ongoing discounts at Denver Central Market, the variety of options ensured that furloughed employees could access food and services across different price points and neighborhoods.

Beyond direct assistance, resources like the 211 helpline and financial assistance from institutions like Premier Members Credit Union provided additional safety nets for those in need. These comprehensive support systems reflected the community's recognition that the impact of the shutdown extended beyond immediate food needs to broader financial and wellness concerns.

For furloughed federal employees in the Denver area, these offers provided not just tangible relief but also psychological comfort during an uncertain period. The widespread participation across different business sectors demonstrated a community-wide commitment to supporting those affected by circumstances beyond their control.

Sources

1. Denver Restaurants Are Serving Furloughed Employees This Week And Beyond
2. These Colorado Businesses Are Helping Federal Employees Affected by the Government Shutdown
3. Here's Where Furloughed Employees Can Eat and Drink for Free
4. Denver Businesses Step Up to Help Furloughed Federal Workers