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Great Plates of Downtown™: Savor Every Bite, Make a Meaningful Difference for Larimer County

New flavors, time-honored tradition – culinary excellence with a purpose in the 19th year of community giving

DOWNTOWN FORT COLLINS, Colo., Feb. 14, 2024 – Embark on a journey of taste and purpose with the renowned Great Plates of Downtown™ promotion, returning for the 19th year in Downtown Fort Collins. This dining extravaganza showcases local establishments' culinary excellence and champions a fusion of flavors and compassion for those in need. Designed to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief in Larimer County, Great Plates is a vibrant celebration that inspires us to unite and make a difference in our community.

Great Plates, Greater Purpose. Choose Your Perfect Plate!


Indulge in the delicious cuisine of 44 restaurants offering delectable breakfast options, scrumptious lunch and dinner specials, and all-day flexible menu specials crafted to perfection. New this year, choose from curated menu specials at different price points, including $25, $35, $45, or $15 & Under.

On February 14, juicy menu special details will be featured on GreatPlatesofDowntown.com, making it easy to plan your culinary journey and discover new flavors and pricing options. Please note that featured specials are subject to change. 

A Legacy of Giving Back


The heart of this promotion lies in its commitment to community well-being. 100% of donation proceeds collected during the celebration will continue benefiting the Food Bank for Larimer County. In 2023, Great Plates of Downtown™ raised $152,328, contributing to over $1,157,000 raised through the promotion since 2008. Every $1 donated allows the Food Bank to provide two meals. 

“Great Plates is one example of the inspiring ways that our community rallies to support our vision for a hunger-free Larimer County. We're incredibly grateful to the Downtown Development Authority and participating restaurants for creating such a fun and meaningful culinary experience.

Amy Pezzani, CEO of Food Bank of Larimer County

New Additions to the Culinary Celebration


This year welcomes six new participants to the Great Plates family, including The Corner Slice, Scrumpy’s Hard Cider Bar, Gilded Goat Brewing Company, Gaku Ramen Fort Collins, La Boutique, and Yellow Crunch.

How to Participate

  • Enjoy: Inform your server that you'd like to participate in Great Plates of Downtown™ and choose your perfect plate.
  • Donate: Consider leaving a donation for the Food Bank after your meal. Don't forget to tip your hardworking server!

Please note that the pricing does not include donations to the Food Bank for Larimer County or taxes. Contribute through the Great Plates envelope provided by servers, the Great Plates donation line on credit card receipts offered at select participating restaurants (credit card lines vary per location), or the official PayPal link or QR code. Server gratuities are also not included, so please show your love to the hardworking servers by including separate gratuities.

Acknowledging Community Support

The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority (DDA) sincerely appreciates the participating restaurants, their skilled workforce, and the community for their enthusiastic and dedicated support in fundraising. Despite the challenges the hospitality industry faces, the downtown restaurant community has continued to champion the annual tradition of the Great Plates of Downtown™ promotion, which has actively contributed to its ongoing impact.

Join us in celebrating 19 years of culinary excellence and community spirit and making a positive impact on those facing hunger in Larimer County!

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 Program, which employs traditional and innovative methods to promote economic, cultural, and social growth through a variety of initiatives.

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