The Blue Ribbon Legislative Reception (BRR) is a CRA MEMBER-ONLY event and is typically the most popular reception of the season among Colorado legislators; it always draws a large and lively crowd. Kicking off the State Legislative Session, BRR is your chance to forge meaningful relationships with Colorado legislators and personally communicate the needs of our industry.

This exciting annual event showcases more than 250 Colorado ProStart^® students from 20+ local high schools who demonstrate a mastery of culinary and academic skills as they compete in the Colorado ProStart® Student Invitational & Sysco Denver Hospitality Cup Competition.

Teams compete for more than $750,000 in scholarships through a Culinary Competition and Hospitality Management Competition. The school that accumulates the most points at the end of the contest takes home the “Sysco Denver Hospitality Cup.” The winning teams represent Colorado at the National ProStart^® Student Invitational event, with the opportunity to win even more scholarships. Contact us if you are an industry professional interested in judging at the Invitational or mentoring a team.

The CRB Show is the premier and largest Rocky Mountain-region foodservice show. The show brings together industry leaders and suppliers to present absolute excellence in many restaurant and hospitality categories, including food, services, equipment, and technology. The CRB Show offers the opportunity to learn about the newest trends, products, and best practices in the business so your restaurant or bar can grow and thrive.

The Government Affairs Golf Tournament is a day of fun, golf, and networking at Arrowhead Golf Course that benefits the CRA Government Affairs programs. The advocacy work we do on behalf of Colorado restaurants would not be possible without the support this event brings!

Drink Red Wear Red is a lively party celebrating the hospitality industry while raising funds to support Colorado’s hard-working restaurant employees. Proceeds benefit the Colorado Restaurant Association Mile High Chapter Hardship Fund and the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, which both provide emergency assistance to industry workers.

Enjoy signature wines and spirits from Republic National Distributing Company, bites from prominent local restaurants, great entertainment, a silent auction, and wear your best red attire to impress!

The Denver Food + Wine Festival, the signature annual fundraiser of the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, is a multi-day extravaganza of culinary and wine education and tastings. Affiliated events include the Shake + Brake Showdown, a cocktail-and-food-truck party with a competitive edge, and the Riedel wine glass tasting seminar. The main event, the 2,500-person Grand Tasting, combines 50+ restaurants and hundreds of wines and spirits, for an all-out party that no Denverite wants to miss. Sign up for discounted tickets here!

At this festive annual event, scholarship award recipients from post-secondary and Colorado ProStart^® high school hospitality education programs are recognized for their outstanding achievement in academics and their commitment to careers in the foodservice and hospitality industry. The event includes presentation of the Colorado ProStart® Student, Teacher, and Industry Mentor of the Year awards, as well as secondary and post-secondary scholarships. Since its inception in 1987, the CRF has awarded more than $750,000 in scholarships funds to students who plan to enter the hospitality industry.

Celebrating the depth and breadth of Colorado’s restaurant industry, the Colorado Restaurant Association Hospitality Awards (HOSPYS) program recognizes the top professionals at all levels of foodservice and hospitality who have pushed our industry through their mentorship, community leadership, and outstanding performance.

The HOSPYS gala will take place on Monday, November 10, 2025 at the Seawell Ballroom in Denver.

The CRA has seven chapters across the state, through which members can network, share ideas, focus on local issues, host events and educational programming, and foster a strong community of industry leaders. Chapters work to support important local political initiatives, local schools, charities, and other worthwhile organizations.