If you've ever been interested in lessening your impact on the world, a brand-new festival in the region aims to make eco-friendly living easy for everyone. Bringing in businesses that can help with everything from minor lifestyle changes to major home renovations, the Denver Green Festival has vendors that sell everything from 100% recycled paper to wind power systems. Some of the businesses are local: English Retreads sells bags made of recycled rubber; Highland Water offers easy water treatment options; Real Goods Solar provides solar energy solutions for homes and businesses. Other businesses operate from farther abroad, including companies that run sustainable adventure and culturally conscious tours overseas.

Even if you're not looking to buy a wind farm or new organic clothing, the festival is a great place to learn about what's new and what's important in the world of green business. Speakers at the event include some big names in the field, both locally and worldwide, including Alan Weisman, author of The World Without Us, and Mayor John Hickenlooper. Also at the festival there will be hangout areas just for kids and teens, live music events, a pavilion featuring natural foods and more.

Taking over the sidewalks and streets surrounding the Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall, the Downtown Denver Arts Festival is an easy, fun way to enjoy the young summer's weather and see all sorts of local art. Over 100 artists from the region fill tents small and large with all kinds of original pieces. Southwestern-inspired paintings, landscape photographs, sculptures crafted from scrap and intricate jewelry are just some of the many art forms that are up for sale.

Celebrating the adventurous and creative streaks that make Boulder unique and famous, the Boulder Creek Festival combines art, music, games and food. Much of the space in the festival is dedicated to local artisans and vendors where you can browse or buy sculptures and hand-painted ceramics, brightly colored garments and all-natural beauty products. In addition to these vendor booths, all weekend long there are a variety of shows and events to catch. At the main band shell, performers like Steve Altermatt and the The Hazel Miller Band draw large crowds. Three other performance stages see a variety of musical shows and performing arts acts, including dance recitals, smaller musical acts and shows just for kids.

While all of these goings-on offer ample space to explore and be entertained, the biggest event of the festival is the Great Rubber Duck Race. Take part by buying a duck for a few dollars in one of the designated tents beforehand and cheer it on to victory as thousands of them race down the creek. While all of this frivolity is going on, the Bolder Boulder 10K race also takes place on Monday. It is a separate event but sees a lot of carry-over with the festival crowd as well as an influx of competitors from all over the world.