Free Days at Denver Museums for 2012

The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District in Denver sponsors free days at museums, zoos and botanic gardens across the Mile High City during 2012. The SCFD sales and use tax of one cent per $10 provides the funding for free admission to Colorado residents. A Colorado driver's license or ID is required for free admission.

"The SCFD facilitates distribution of the voter-approved tax funds to eligible organizations that provide for the enlightenment and entertainment of the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement or preservation of art, music, theater, dance, zoology, botany, natural history or cultural history," the SCFD said in a statement.

The organization was created in 1988, and has distributed more than $668 million in the years between 1989 and 2010, according to the SCFD. The tax applies to residents of six other counties besides the City & County of Denver, including: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Jefferson and portions of Douglas County.

Not all free days are created equal, however. The Denver Art Museum holds free days at least once a month, while the Denver Zoo only holds free days in the chilly months of January, February and November during 2012. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts also offers a limited number of tickets at reduced prices through the program.

Other cities in the West offer free museum days as well. If you're traveling, visit listings of free days at museums in Los Angeles, Phoenix and Austin, Texas.