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Great Plates of Downtown™ Celebrates 20 Years of Delicious Dining and Community Support

A Golden Opportunity to Dine, Win, and Make a Difference in Downtown Fort Collins

DOWNTOWN FORT COLLINS, Colo. (February 14, 2025) – Get ready for a "Golden Opportunity" to dine, win, and make a difference! This March, Downtown Fort Collins' beloved Great Plates of Downtown™ celebrates its 20th anniversary, offering two weeks of specially priced menu specials ($25, $35, $45, or $15 & Under) at 50 local restaurants and a chance to win fantastic prizes.

From March 1 - 14, food lovers can indulge in curated culinary experiences while supporting the Food Bank for Larimer County. Whether you're a regular or a first-time participant, this year's 20-year celebration promises to be even more exciting, thanks to the introduction of Golden Ticket Cocktail Napkins! Diners who find a lucky napkin can enter to win one of three luxurious one-night staycations for two at premier downtown hotels (Armstrong Hotel, The Elizabeth Hotel, or the Edwards House), complete with a $100 Downtown Fort Collins Gift Card. Three additional winners will receive a $200 Downtown Fort Collins Gift Card, redeemable at over 170 businesses in downtown.

Great Plates of Downtown™ is more than just a delicious deal; it's a community-driven business promotion that has raised over $1.15 million for the Food Bank for Larimer County since 2008, providing over 2.3 million meals. Diners are encouraged to add a donation to their bill, with 100% of contributions directly supporting those facing food insecurity. 

“We're tremendously excited to celebrate 20 years of Great Plates of Downtown™," says Amy Pezzani. "This event has become a legacy, showcasing the culinary excellence of our local restaurants while giving back to our hunger relief programs. The generous donations from participants help support services for more than 50,000 people. Community contributions are key to ensuring everyone has access to nutritious food."

Amy Pezzani, CEO of Food Bank of Larimer County

This year's event welcomes exciting newcomers like Avogadro's Number, Breckenridge Brewery, Japango, Persimmon, Pure Green, and Sushi Jeju, joining long-standing favorites like CooperSmith’s Pub & Brewing and The Melting Pot Fort Collins. The official menu specials will be unveiled on February 14th at GreatPlatesofDowntown.com, though featured items may change.

How to Participate

  1. Eat: Explore the Great Plates of Downtown™ Restaurant Guide and plan your culinary adventure.
  2. Enjoy: Ask your server about the Great Plates specials and choose your favorite.
  3. Donate: Consider leaving a donation for the Food Bank through provided envelopes, designated credit card lines (varies by location), or the official PayPal link/QR code. (Donations and gratuities are separate from meal pricing.)*

The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority (DDA) thanks participating restaurants and the community for their continued support of a business promotion that has endured 20 years of success. Together, we are helping to ensure that this beloved tradition grows stronger each year and has a lasting impact on our neighbors in Larimer County experiencing food insecurity.

Great Plates, Greater Purpose. Choose Your Perfect Plate!
Join us in celebrating 20 years of Great Plates of Downtown™—where every bite counts and every donation makes a difference! This year also marks the debut of a new Great Plates of Downtown brand identity, showcasing a new logo as part of a larger rebranding initiative for the DDA. 

About the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority

The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was established in 1981 to revitalize the central business district. The DDA combines public and private investments through tax increment financing to achieve this objective and emphasizes community initiatives that benefit downtown. In 2020, the DDA introduced the Business Marketing and Communications (BMC) Program, which employs traditional and innovative methods to promote economic, cultural, and social growth through various initiatives.

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