Colorado Hispanic Chamber Hosts Its Summer Celebration: 2026 Sabor

Posted: ML Chavez

The Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce‘s (COHCC) Sabor 2026 reminds us that summer is a time for celebration with friends, colleagues, partners, and business associates.

Denver’s record-breaking temps were no match for this hot multicultural fundraising festival held each year on the first Friday of every August at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Sabor (flavor or taste in English) is dubbed an annual “gastronomic extravaganza” and for good reason. Its an explosion of vibrant traditional attire, live music, costumed dancers, and savory appetizers showcasing some of Latin Americas best foods. You may even leave a few pounds heavier from the awesome antojitos (appetizer street food) and sweet alfajores, shortbread cookies with dulce de leche filling.

The celebration honors and supports Hispanic-owned businesses through leadership development, youth entrepreneurship, and small business grants. It’s also an opportunity to showcase the most beautiful garden views along with live music and some of the best foods and drink from vendors throughout Colorado.

Sponsored by Pepsi, Chevron, and Blue Moon Beer, this year’s event attracted more than 2,500 guests enjoying live Latin American music, dancers, specialty beers, softdrinks, and even a little tequila. Besides prominent Colorado Latino business movers and shakers, the fiesta featured Aztec dancers in native costume and other popular luminaries including Zorro, Mexican Elvis, and Frida Kahlo.

“We hope that people understand the beauty of diversity within diversity,” says Chamber President and CEO Mike Ferrufino. He calls it a labor of love for the community and recognition of the chamber’s 48-year history of boosting and promoting Hispanic businesses and partnerships statewide.

The backdrop of the event features the current Denver Botanic Gardens exhibit from artist Jaume Plensa: A New Humanism which explores themes of “personal introspection and collective harmony” using portrait busts and seated figures. The exhibit runs through September 7, 2026.

Founded in 1978, the COHCC has more than 2,500 members and supports and fosters the development, growth and success of Hispanic businesses in Colorado. To become a member or for more information visit: www.hispanicchamberdenver.com

: Aztec dancers welcome guests

: Anthony and Monica Mazowsk

: Sylvana Escobar, Sylvana Jeri

: Vendors galor

: Senor Bear, Guillermo Sanchez

: A view of the current Denver Botanic Gardens exhibit: Jaume Plensa: A New Humanism

: Gabriela Valuskova, Lalo Gonzalez, Adrianna Muntean

: Jesus Silva, Claudio Hernandez

: Phil Weiser, Sue Montoya Ruiz

: Sara Buys, Brian Henson, Allison Kiehh, Joshua Riggs

: Denver Botanic Gardens CEO Donna McGinnis, Brian McGinnis

: Ximena and Lucia of the Coors Truck

: Several Latin American consulates were represented including Guatemala

: Valerie Tun, Karla Dominguez of the Mexican consulate

: Vendor representives from the El Salvador consulate

: Dancers kept the crowd dancing

: Beba Valenz

: Members of Origenes Dance Collective

: Gloria and Mike Rubio of CLLARO

: CO Hispanic Chamber President/CEO Mike Ferrufino, Chase Adams, Heidi Nelson

: Annie Lee, Michelle Lucero

: Laura Medina, J. Anthony Garnica

: Claudia Castro, Chris Swank

: Kendra Sandoval, Ryan Laine

: Brenda Madera, Diane Rodriguez

: Painter Adolfo Romero

: Madison Leighty, Meredith Leighty, Nicole Bueno, Michelle Burnett

: Ben and Erin Ramaker

: Jasmine Lopez, Quiola Quinones, Janeth Rosas

: Jennifer and Jeremiah DeGraff

: Rosa Chavez, Ana Garcia

: Benny Samuels, Roberto Esquivel

: Liz Wemegieme, Shanthi Ravi

: Mexican Elvis (Gregorio Bañuelos) with Frida Kahlo (Quiola Quinones)

: John Carroll, Emilio Romero, Gennaro Leo

: Carlos Ruiz, Liliana Villalobos

: Monica Hernandez, Yasmine Valencia, Carlos Castaneda

: The event was sponsored by Pepsi, Chevron, and Blue Moon Beer

: Judith Silva, Evelyn Gomez, Evelyn Quintana, Blake Jackson

: Yurima Crowley, Michelle Gonzalez

: Rosa Salazar, Moses Campos

04 Aug

Colorado Hispanic Chamber Celebrates Sabor 2025

Posted: ML Chavez

The Colorado Hispanic Chamber’s SABOR never disappoints. This year’s event on August 1 drew a large crowd at the beautiful and blooming Denver Botanic Gardens, a host for several years now.

As one of the most anticipated Denver summer festivals, it’s a celebration of Hispanic heritage and sharing of beer, wine, food, music among some of the chamber’s small and large businesses throughout Denver and Colorado.

This year’s fiesta was sponsored by Pepsi, Blue Moon, and Chevron. Each year the event’s carnival-like atmosphere attracts more than 1,500 guests and features musicians, restaurants, artists, and costumed dancers representing the nations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s also an excuse to party with friends, family, partners and business supporters.

Established in 1978, the Hispanic Chamber is the state’s largest minority Chamber with more than 2,500 members and among the largest statewide of all chambers. Sabor shines a spotlight on the restaurant industry, providing crucial support to local Hispanic businesses that play an integral role in bolstering the Colorado economy. Proceeds from Sabor directly benefit COHCC initiatives, including:

Economic Development: Funds raised help support the Chamber’s efforts to foster the growth of Hispanic-owned businesses through various programs and resources.
Educational Programs: The event aids in funding scholarships, leadership programs, and other educational initiatives aimed at empowering the Hispanic community.
Community Engagement: Sabor provides a platform for local businesses to showcase their offerings, facilitating networking and collaboration within the community.

Sabor: “A Sensory Experience of the Americas”

As in year’s past Chamber President/CEO Mike Ferrufino was busy engaging with guests, politicos, businesspeople and some of Denver’s most generous corporate & local business sponsors.

Past Denver mayors, current city, state and federal lawmakers and other politicos were also on hand to meet constituents and support the event.

The best of Denver’s diverse Latino culture is represented including the foods, music and even some consulate reps from Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Peru, to name a few.

According to organizers, Sabor was established to celebrate and promote Hispanic culture while supporting the COHCC’s mission of economic development and community empowerment. Every year this special event successfully brings together a diverse group of attendees, including business owners, community leaders, and the general public. For more information be sure to visit the Chamber’s web site at hispanicchamberdenver.com

: Three dancers are better than one! Silvia Pineda, Laura Medina, Winnie Dai

: Welcoming the crowd for the 2025 Sabor event

: The 2025 Sabor event easily attracts more than 1,500 guests annually

: Gricel Alonzo and Gloria Perez

: Mexican Elvis is in the house!

: The Mexican Elvis made the rounds throughout the night

: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston; with Tim Aragon (left), General Counsel for the Denver Broncos; and Damani Leech (right), President of the Denver Broncos