RPG Colorado: TTRPG Events (March 16-31)
Welcome back, adventurers, to the RPG Colorado newsletter! Here you'll find a list of events from the RPG Colorado community, delivered to your inbox and organized on our handy calendar.
See you an event you want to attend? Find the organizer's contact info in the calendar link and reach out. Have an event and looking for players? Fill out our event submission form to get on the calendar! Below are highlighted events for the next two weeks. Check the calendar for even more events, improv, and workshops.
3/16 & 3/30 5:30-9pm (Every other Monday)- Wizards & Wine - Restoration Vineyard - Palisade
"An evening of fantasy, fine wine, and unforgettable adventure, a perfect time to dress up too!!
Join us at Restoration Vineyards for Wizards & Wine—a unique tabletop gaming experience where the worlds of storytelling and sipping collide. Set against the backdrop of our scenic Colorado winery, guests will embark on a 2–3 hour Dungeons & Dragons adventure led by professional Dungeon Masters from Theater of The Mind [More info on them below].Whether you’re a lifelong player or brand new to the game, our tables are designed for flexible, drop-in play with no long-term commitment. Each table seats up to five players and uses the 2014 edition of D&D 5e rules for a streamlined, immersive experience.
No need to prepare ahead—players will choose from a selection of pre-generated characters, each ready to dive into the adventure. Just bring your imagination and let the story unfold.– Enjoy our handcrafted wines while you play
– Professional Dungeon Masters at every table
– No experience necessary—perfect for first-timers and veterans alike
– Each session lasts 2–3 hours
– $18 per person. Reservations are required to ensure we have enough Dungeon Masters for all players. Spots are limited, so book early to secure your seat at the table. We keep our wines at dungeon temperatures, so dress warm. No outside alcohol allowed."
3/19 6–11pm - Game Night - Creepatorium - Denver
"Wizards, warriors, witches, and warlocks...
We invite you to a community Game Night unlike any other. Bring your clan or join a party, there will be plenty of room for everybody.
Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: the Gathering, Pokemon, board games & more! Sign up today to claim your throne."
3/21 6–11pm - Adulti-verse: Monsters & Magic - Meow Wolf - Denver
"No dice rolls required, just show up ready to vibe with your people.
Monsters and Magic can be what you want it to be. Come dressed as your favorite character, your main deck commander, or just wear your best gaming fit. Bring your crew, explore the portals, and geek out with people who actually get your references.
🎲 Game Demos
Denver's most magical shop, Wizard's Chest, will host four different game demos:
Numina • 6PM - 10PM
- Magic: The Gathering Play with newly released Lorwyn decks.
- Compile Go head to head in a strategic 2-player showdown.
- Concept Let your creativity flow with this party game that uses art as clues.
- Wavelength Experience the party game everyone's talking about."
3/24 6-9pm (Every other Tuesday) - Barbarians & Brews - Fruita Tavern - Fruita
"D&D Game Night! Join us every other Tuesday for epic battles and adventurous quests paired with the charm of unique craft beers.
Embark on an unforgettable journey where storytelling and flavor unite in a one-of-a-kind experience.
Presented by Theater of the Mind [Even more on them below!]." Purchase tickets here.
3/25 7– 8pm - Goblin Mode Improv - Carw Gwyn - Denver
"Carw Gwyn lightens the mood with a special event on March 25th from 7:00-8:00pm with Goblin Mode Improv!
What is Goblin Mode? It’s an improv comedy show for people who like D&D!
They pick an audience member to tell the story of their most memorable D&D experience, which, if you know D&D, will certainly be wild. Then, their group of professional comedians does an improvised comedy set inspired by their tale, which is always next level.
Have a good D&D story? Or a friend who does? You might be part of what makes this show unforgettable. Never played D&D? If you’ve seen Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, or read a fantasy romance book, you’ll get most of the jokes – no D&D experience required!
Tickets can be purchased at the link below. We hope to see you there!
https://events.humanitix.com/gobmomarch25"
3/25 7pm (Every Fourth Wednesday)- Queers on a Quest - Critical Slay - Thane's Table - Arvada
"Join us for our monthly Dungeons and Drag show at Thanes Table. This month we are bringing: No Kings, Only Drag Kings (and a Wizard)."
"Join the Countess and friends for Queers on a Quest: Critical Slay. An epic fantasy variety show featuring some of Colorado Finest Talents!
Queers on a Quest is an epic, fantasy-fueled show where drag meets dungeons, and charisma is the ultimate stat. This spellbinding evening weaves together jaw-dropping drag, live music, riotous comedy, and delightful surprises yet to be rolled.
Every 4th Wednesday of the month, we celebrate the full spectrum of queer imagination and joy...
Our adventures will now alternate between the Countess’s signature interactive homebrew D&D one-shots (written, produced, and hosted by the Countess herself) and dazzling, fantasy-themed variety shows showcasing some of Colorado’s most fascinating and fearless entertainers...
Critical Slay: our Dungeons & Drag–inspired spectacle featuring beloved past heroes, current icons, and future legends from the Queers on a Quest universe. Expect high fantasy, higher heels, and performances so powerful they might just crit on every roll.
Gather your party and dress to enchant; the quest begins as soon as you purchase your tickets!"
3/27 7– 10pm - Nerd Nite Presents: Extra Lives! - The Bug Theater - Denver
"Extra Lives is the world’s first Audience RPG: a fully narrated, inclusive choose-your-own-adventure game where you are the main character. Plunge into an exciting story with visuals, music, sound effects and footage drawn from the legendary console games of the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s... and a live score provided by the lovable nerds of Extra Lives. At key junctures you'll get to vote on how the character proceeds, leading to special story branches. With multiple endings and 60+ possible variations depending on the audience's in-game choices, this immersive feast for the imagination will transport you back to your childhood. To the next level!" Get your tickets here!
3/28 9-11pm - Dungeons Vs. Dragons Burlesque/Drag Show - Sexploratorium - Denver
"Step into a world where imagination and glamour collide at Dungeons Vs. Dragons Burlesque/Drag Show, a night of spellbinding performances that celebrate creativity, camp, and queer expression. Expect theatrical costumes, bold characters, and storytelling that playfully riffs on familiar fantasy motifs while centering each performer’s unique style. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just love a dramatic entrance, this show invites you to revel in a fantastical fusion of drag and burlesque that’s equal parts daring and delightful....
Join us in a space that celebrates self-expression and community. Audience members are encouraged to dress up in their favorite fantasy or cosplay looks, and there will be a costume contest during the show! With drinks, laughter, and showmanship galore, Dungeons Vs. Dragons Burlesque/Drag Show is more than a performance—it’s a quest you won’t want to miss." Get your tickets here.
Event Calendar & MyMaps
For ease of use we've got these events and more on a Google Calendar. Note the Add to Google Calendar (or + if on mobile) to add it to your own calendar. Know of anything we've missed or something for a future edition of this newsletter? Fill out our event submission form to get it on the calendar!
We also had the thought of making maps for the events to also make them easier to plan. This one has the locations of the events featured so far. Let us know of any more we should add.
While thinking of the event map, we also thought a map of Colorado RPG stores could be useful. Also let us know if your FLGS didn't make the cut and we can add it!
Creator's Corner
Theater of the Mind Presents: Retribution
Somehow, in addition to hosting a meetup every week [see Wizards & Wine and Barbarians & Brews above], the crew from Theater of the mind also put out a podcast episode every two weeks! Here's the description:
"5 strangers meet in a bar in Grand Junction Colorado, when a life altering event takes place. Theater of the Mind Presents: Retribution is a DnD 5E actual play podcast set in our world."
Their 61st episode just dropped on the 15th! Go check them out! I'll admit I've just started listening, but it did not take long into episode 1 for me to add them to my podcast rotation. I love a good horror/comedy and having a show start out right in Colorado is just an added cherry on top! You can check out the trailer, or the full podcast on your podcatcher of choice.
Tavers: The Meow Wolf RPG - On Kickstarter til April 3rd
While not technically a Colorado project, Meow Wolf has created a great space in Denver and is now branching into the TTRPG sphere. Plus I would love to run a game of this at Meow Wolf, how cool would that be!?
But anyway, what is this game? How does it play? Honestly I have no idea, but this is how they describe it:
"The TAVERS game mechanics include:
- Collaborative storytelling - Players and storytellers work together to build an experience that integrates each participant and varied play styles. Everyone takes notes and doodles on a shared sheet that keeps the whole group engaged in the gameplay.
- Tactile inventory management - Every item you acquire comes in a variety of fun shapes and must fit on your character sheet like a puzzle mini-game.
- Backstory fueled skills - Group-created memories or dreams, called MEMs, provide an ever fluctuating skill system based on the words used in a round table tale-weaving.
- Goal oriented character progression - Every character has individual goals to scheme towards. Accomplishing them unlocks future potential. Key action types help guide character choices, and award story progression when utilized.
- Dice lite / art forward - TAVERS uses 2d8 (we call them Ossahedrals) for determining the outcome of searching for clues, events, and anomalies. The outcome of the story, however, is always in the hands, paws, claws, or whatever of the players."
I'm fascinated to see how this shakes out. Everything I've seen is absolutely gorgeous and the pairing of Meow Wolf, Exalted Funeral, and TigerWizard on this project? It's a no-brainer for me and I'm so excited to play. In case you want more details, or to just hear cool people talk about games and stuff, Exalted Funeral's YouTube Channel has a series called Coffee & Coffins with TigerWizard and Beckett. Their latest episode even has Colorado creator Luke Stratton as a guest! There's a lot of talk about Magic The Gathering, but they also discuss upcoming stuff for Luke and the Limithron Crew for Pirate Borg, and Meow Wolf and Tavers.
FLGS Flyer
Kari Bakken - Black & Read
The Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce FB Page is highlighting WOW Women of Arvada every day in March for Women's History Month. The goal is to "celebrate a different woman making a big impact in this community." And on March 8th they highlighted Kari Bakken of Black & Read:
"Happy International Women's Day! Today's WOW Woman of Arvada is Kari Bakken, Owner of Black & Read Books, Music & Games!
"Kari exemplifies an unwavering commitment to creating meaningful, tangible experiences and authentic relationships through her business, Black & Read. More than a retail store, Black & Read serves as a vibrant community hub where individuals can explore their unique interests and passions in a welcoming, inclusive space. Kari thoughtfully responds to evolving community interests by facilitating engaging events and curated experiences that bring people together and strengthen local connections."
The Chamber's website also has a longer writeup:
"This year, Kari successfully led a significant relocation of the store—an undertaking that required extraordinary coordination, resilience, and hands-on leadership to move hundreds of boxes of merchandise while maintaining continuity for customers and the community.
Beyond her business, Kari consistently demonstrates her dedication to in-person connection and community engagement. She regularly shows up to support and learn about neighboring businesses, collaborates on local events, and has served for two years on the AEDA Retention Committee. Through her leadership and service, Kari continues to foster a thriving, connected business community."
Why do you think it's important to seek out and celebrate women's achievements in our community?
"Taking a moment to appreciate the hard work, dedication and accomplishments of women in our community highlights bright spots in Arvada and encourages others to shine."
What’s been your greatest challenge and your greatest reward in your professional career?
"The greatest challenge is ongoing. Learning and growing and working to constantly improve our store and environment, while attempting some downtime to recharge.
The greatest reward has been our amazing customers. They cheered us on during our move and subsequent unpacking with unwavering support and excitement for the future. "
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to a young woman just starting out in her career?
"Carve out time for yourself for an activity/hobby/personal interest unrelated to your career."
If you haven't checked out Black & Read, you simply must. It's my absolute favorite FLGS, plus its a great store for books, movies, and music too!
Sorry for the long one this time folks (funny thing is after the last issue I was telling Leon I wasn't sure if there was gonna be enough new stuff happening in the back half of March to even have another one). If you do go to any of these events, or have any other games around Colorado, share some pics! We'd love to see the community having fun and coming together. Drop them in the RPG Colorado Facebook group and we'll see them.
Well that's all for this edition of the RPG Colorado Newsletter! Thank you very much for reading. We hope you find some games to play!
-Leon & Jacob