Denver’s Mexican Cultural Center cultivates year-round heritage awareness through collaboration

Oct. 12, 2025

Photo taken by Marco Briones

Hispanic Heritage Month may be coming to a close on Oct. 15, but honoring, celebrating and serving Colorado’s Latinx communities is a year-round endeavor for the Mexican Cultural Center in Denver.

Since 1992, the nonprofit has worked to ensure Latin cultures and traditions flourish throughout the state by hosting events, collaborating with local partners and offering a range of resources.

Rachel Garcia, the executive director of the MCC, said the organization began as a branch of the Mexican government.

“There were several states where the Mexican government had consulates, and they wanted to promote cultural diplomacy. So, they started these cultural centers across the country, and the funding didn't last long and the program didn't last long, but we as an organization stepped out on our own,” she said.

Ever since, the MCC has created space for Latinx cultural representation and heritage preservation with a passion-driven mindset.

Multiculturally-mindful meeting opportunities

The MCC hosts several events throughout the year, all of which are free or low-cost and community engagement-centered.

Garcia said their final signature event of 2025, Día de los Muertos, is up next.

Their annual celebration of Día de los Muertos is the Gala de Catrinas y Calaveras, a formal fundraiser taking place at The Cable Center on Oct. 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

According to the event’s page, the gala is an immersive tribute to ancestors, featuring live music and arts experiences. Those who attend are encouraged to dress up in Catarina and Calavera attire, which typically features sugar skull makeup, flower crowns and colorful, Victorian-style formal wear.

Photos of the attire are available to view on this Instagram announcement, and those interested can book a $50 makeup appointment to help them prepare for the event.

Individual tickets cost $275, and several other purchasing options are available here. All of the proceeds go toward MCC’s signature programming.

The nonprofit will also take on multiple festival and event appearances for Día de los Muertos.

While this calendar event happens Nov. 1-2, Garcia said the MCC partners with local organizations on festivals throughout October and November. She noted that they mostly support cities wanting to start their first Día de los Muertos events by providing activities and hosting workshops.

Here are some of the events and organizations they partner with for the days of remembrance:

• Breck Create will host a Día de los Muertos and Latin Festival on Oct. 17 and 18. According to their event page, it will feature dance, music, art displays, a candlelight vigil and more.

• Thornton Arts and the City of Thornton will have their celebration on Nov. 1 from noon to 5 p.m.

• UNC

• Denver Public Libraries

• Denver Public Schools

MCC’s rotation of signature events will start again in April with El Día del Niño, a day to celebrate children and families.

Garcia said the nonprofit partners with 15 institutions and schools to make the day fun for families, including the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

She outlined what their work with the DMNS typically looks like for the event.

“We have a free day there, and we allow everybody to come in and experience the museum while also seeing some culturally relevant entertainment,” Garcia said.

Then, for Hispanic Heritage Month, which lasts from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the organization hosts a free concert called Latin Beats in the Boettcher Concert Hall.

Garcia noted the MCC works to showcase musical groups that represent everyone the month celebrates, from Mexican folklórico groups to musicians from Guatemala and Peru.

“We always try to make it a little more inclusive because we know that Latino cultures are not a monolith when we want to celebrate everybody during the month that we are assigned for heritage,” she said.

In addition to their evergreen events, Garcia said they partner on Amor de la Mexicana Fest annually at the beginning of September.

According to The MCC’s website, the event features “Tequila, Mezcal, Art & Culture,” via tastings and immersive art, like their light mapping show outlining Mexican history.

Garcia noted that the organization is always seeking volunteers for the events; anyone wanting more information or to sign up can contact the MCC on social media, via email or through the form on their website.

Highlighting diverse supports and services

While the MCC hasn’t received funding from the Mexican government for decades, they have always had their physical location in the same office building as the consulate. Garcia said this allows them to offer related services alongside public resources.

The MCC’s main services help them build and boost community connections. Garcia said they help those in need of resources find them locally, giving the examples of people looking for caterers, artists and mariachi groups.

Their office also has a gallery and a conference room available for those who need meeting and event spaces. Those interested in using them can reach out via email or social media DM.

The nonprofit’s office is not just a place for meeting and connecting; they have a store inside full of Mexican concessions, including occasional hot food items, and handcrafted goods for people to purchase while working with the consulate office.

Garcia noted the store can also make copies “on a walk-in basis” and offers translation services for the consulate.

Notes from Garcia

The MCC’s main goals are to amplify Latinx traditions and maintain cultural foundations, which will allow future generations to experience them with pride.

Garcia thinks the organization’s strong support for the arts fits well into that mission.

“It's so important that we elevate and uplift art because it's something that could so easily get lost or kind of fade away, and we've seen it happen with our languages, we've seen it happen with other elements of our culture, even when it comes down to food and things like that, and it's something we don't want to see go away,” Garcia said.

In her opinion, the best ways to support Hispanic cultures are to speak with experts who can answer questions and seek out Latinx-hosted events. She described the MCC as one of these possible resources.

In the future, Garcia hopes the nonprofit can bring passion and programming to even more locations in Colorado.

“If there's anybody that's in the southern part of Colorado that would like to connect with us, we'd love to hear from you. Please do reach out,” she said.

The MCC is on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, where they share information about their work. They welcome public inquiries via DM, email and contact form.

More information about the MCC and their events can be viewed on their website, and those interested can sign up for their newsletter.