We believe in kid-powered learning.

Every day, we work to open doors for our future leaders, innovators, and adventurers to explore, create and learn – on their own terms. Our target ages are newborn through eight years old, but everyone can have a good time at the Museum! Our exhibits are hands-on, interactive and totally one-of-a-kind.

The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is a 501(c)(3), private non-profit organization and a Tier II SCFD member. 

Mission

To create extraordinary experiences that champion the wonder and joy of childhood.

History

The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus was founded in 1973 (Articles of Incorporation, May 9, 1973) by a group of parents, educators and other professionals who wanted to create an interactive cultural and educational institution for children and families. After two successful traveling exhibitions, the Museum recognized the need for a permanent location to further serve the needs of the community. The Museum leased and renovated a building just south of downtown Denver on Bannock St. and opened its doors in January 1975. Within months of opening, the Museum was drawing record numbers from the metro Denver area and beyond. Planning began for a larger facility, and in 1984 the Museum moved to its current home along the west bank of the South Platte River location. In 2015, the Museum underwent an extensive expansion that doubled its public space and welcomed seven new exhibits and extra amenities.  in 2019, the Museum opened Adventure Forest, it’s iconic 500 ft long outdoor adventure course and immersive art installation and in 2023, it opened Bloom, a groundbreaking space for children newborn – 36 months and their caregivers.

Our Commitment to Our Community

The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is a community gathering place. We welcome all children and their adults, regardless of ability, age, color, creed, ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status, and invite everyone to learn and explore together.

We celebrate diversity in all aspects of our organization. Through inclusive programming, exhibits, communal spaces and hiring practices, we commit to creating an environment that reflects and respects our community.

Why children’s museums?

The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is a member of the Association of Children’s Museums, a trade organization made up of more than 500 members. Children’s museums are one of the fastest-growing segments in United States educational/cultural institutions. Over the last decade, the number of children’s museums has grown by 100% annually, reaching 30 million children and their families. Children’s museums rank only second to zoos among museum-related attractions in their ability to attract ethnically and culturally diverse audiences, and address the developmental needs of young children.

Location

2121 Children’s Museum Drive
Denver, CO 80211

Get in Touch

303-561-0107
www.mychildsmuseum.org

Project PAVE was established in 1986 in response to a number of violent incidents in the Denver area. Community leaders came together to create a framework for intervening early in the lives of youth and families exposed to relationship violence and to promote alternatives to violence in youth relationships.

Our Approach

At Project PAVE, we believe that every young person deserves to feel safe, supported, and empowered—in their relationships, at school, and in their community. Our approach blends trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and a deep commitment to meeting youth and families where they are. We partner with schools and community organizations to deliver wraparound support that addresses the full spectrum of needs, from prevention to crisis intervention.

Trauma-Informed and Healing-Centered

Everything we do is rooted in the principles of trauma-informed care: safety, trust, collaboration, choice, and empowerment. We understand that violence and adversity impact every aspect of a young person’s life, and our therapists, educators, and advocates are trained to respond with compassion and evidence-based practices that support healing.

Culturally Humble and Responsive

We recognize that healing is not one-size-fits-all. Our diverse team reflects the communities we serve and brings lived experience that allows for authentic connection. We approach every interaction with cultural humility, listening first and adapting our work to affirm each young person’s identity. Services are available in English and Spanish, and we partner with translation agencies to ensure accessibility for all language communities. We also create safe, affirming spaces for LGBTQ+, male, female, and nonbinary youth.

Meeting Youth Where They Are

We know the best way to reach youth is to meet them in the environments where they already feel comfortable—schools, community centers, sports teams, even at home. Our school-based and mobile service model removes barriers like transportation, cost, and stigma, making it easier for young people to access help when they need it most.

Guided by Youth Voice

Young people are not just participants in our programs—they are co-creators. Through our Youth Community Educators Program (YCEP), youth leaders shape our curriculum, inform program decisions, and ensure our services remain relevant to the real experiences of Denver’s youth. This integration of youth voice keeps our work authentic, responsive, and impactful.

Holistic and Wraparound Support

We integrate prevention and intervention services so that youth receive seamless support. A student might attend a healthy relationships class, connect with a therapist the same week, and have their family linked to resources by our advocate—all within the same trusted network. This wraparound model strengthens protective factors, builds resilience, and supports long-term wellbeing.

Rooted in Equity and Inclusion

Racial justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are not add-ons—they are woven into the fabric of our work. From intentional hiring to ongoing anti-oppression training, to partnerships with high-need, majority BIPOC schools, we ensure that our programs address both the immediate impacts of violence and the systemic inequities that perpetuate it.

EDUCATION

Path to Healthy Relationships (PATH)

This program is designed to help young people:

• Recognize healthy vs. unhealthy relationship behaviors
• Communicate needs and set boundaries with confidence
• Manage emotions and resolve conflicts in healthy ways

PATH is PAVE’s flagship education program series, taught in middle and high schools across the Denver Metro area. Grounded in trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices, PTHR equips students with the knowledge and skills to build safe, respectful relationships in all areas of life—family, friendships, dating, and online. Through interactive lessons, students learn about communication, consent, boundary-setting, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and recognizing unhealthy behaviors. The program is designed to be engaging, developmentally appropriate, and relevant to the lived experiences of the youth we serve, helping them make informed choices and prevent relationship violence before it starts.

Social Emotional Learning Facilitation (SELF)

SELF is PAVE’s small-group program designed to help youth build the emotional and social skills they need to thrive. Offered in schools and community settings, SELF provides a supportive, peer-based environment where students practice self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Guided by trained facilitators, participants explore topics like coping with stress, building self-esteem, managing conflict, and fostering empathy—skills that improve mental health, strengthen relationships, and boost academic and personal success.

This program is designed to help young people:

• Increase self-awareness and ability to manage emotions
• Improve coping skills and stress management strategies
• Develop stronger, deeper, and more positive relationships with peers and adults

True Man

True Man is PAVE’s healthy masculinity program, developed in partnership with the Denver Broncos to engage boys and young men in redefining what it means to “be a man.” Through interactive workshops and honest dialogue, participants examine the impact of gender norms, learn to express emotions in healthy ways, and practice building respectful relationships. True Man fosters empathy, self-respect, and accountability, empowering participants to challenge harmful stereotypes and become positive role models in their schools and communities.

This program is designed to help boys and young men:

• Cultivate awareness of how gender stereotypes and bias influence our behavior in intimate relationships
• Increase empathy and respect for themselves and others
• Identify, process, and express their emotions in healthy ways

THERAPY

School-Based Therapy

School-Based Therapy brings PAVE’s licensed, trauma-informed therapists directly into partner schools, eliminating common barriers like cost, transportation, and stigma. Offered at no charge, therapy sessions provide a safe, confidential space for youth to navigate challenging relationship dynamics, relationship violence, or domestic violence, and help them process the impacts of trauma, violence, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. By working in close collaboration with school staff, our therapists ensure that support is timely, accessible, and tailored to each student’s needs.

This program is designed to help young people:

• Navigate challenging relationships with friends, peers, family and community members
• Heal from trauma resulting from intimate partner violence
• Manage and maintain their mental wellness

CONNECTIONS

Youth & Family Advocacy

Youth & Family Advocacy provides mobile, client-led support to help youth survivors and their families navigate the challenges that often accompany trauma. Our advocates meet clients where they feel safest—whether at school, home, or in the community—to connect them with resources like housing assistance, food security, technology access, and legal support. We also offer court accompaniment, safety planning, and help applying for victim compensation or other benefits. By addressing practical needs alongside emotional support, our advocacy services reduce stressors, remove barriers, and create the stability young people need to heal and thrive.

This program is designed to help young people and their families:

• Increase access to resources that support safety and stability
• Gain confidence in navigating systems and advocating for needs
• Reduce external stressors that impact mental health and wellbeing

EMPOWERMENT

Youth Community Educators Program (YCEP)

YCEP is PAVE’s youth leadership initiative that trains and mentors high school students to become peer educators and advocates for healthy relationships throughout the year. YCEP members—many of whom reflect the communities and lived experiences of the youth we serve—help shape PAVE’s curriculum, co-facilitate workshops, and lead outreach efforts in schools and community spaces. By centering youth voice, YCEP ensures our programs remain relevant, authentic, and responsive to the real challenges young people face, while equipping participants with professional development opportunities and leadership, public speaking, and advocacy skills they can carry into the future.

This program is designed to help young people:

-Become peer leaders and advocates in anti-violence and healthy relationships
-Increase confidence and skills in leadership, public speaking, and community advocacy
-Obtain professional development and college-readiness opportunities