Denver Derby Party to end after 25 years with five new CSU scholarships

By AI, Created 10:01 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The Denver Derby Party will return May 2 at McGregor Square for its 25th and final year, with the Sean “Ranch” Lough Foundation set to award five full-ride scholarships to Colorado State University. The event has raised $10 million, funded more than 115 scholarships and now closes a long-running Denver fundraiser built around one student memorial and community support.

Why it matters: - The Denver Derby Party has become a major local fundraiser, and its final edition will directly fund five new four-year full-ride scholarships to Colorado State University. - The Sean “Ranch” Lough Foundation says the program has already helped more than 115 students pursue college. - The event’s end closes a 25-year run that has combined philanthropy, mentoring and a high-profile Denver social event.

What happened: - The Sean “Ranch” Lough Foundation will host the Denver Derby Party on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at McGregor Square in LoDo. - This year marks the 25th and final Denver Derby Party. - The fundraiser supports full-ride scholarships for deserving Denver-area high school students at Colorado State University. - The foundation was created in memory of Sean Lough, known as Ranch, who died in a biking accident at age 21. - Lough’s friends and CSU graduates Scott Anderson, Terrance Hunt and Ron I. Martinez co-founded the scholarship effort.

The details: - The Denver Derby Party began as a small backyard gathering and later moved to the Wash Park Boathouse, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the lawn outside the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and then McGregor Square. - Ron I. Martinez, a founder and board member and a LIV Sotheby’s International Realty global real estate advisor, has mentored scholarship recipients and supported students who often have little or no family. - Denver-area high school seniors can apply for the scholarships. - For the first time, the foundation is awarding five scholarships in 2026. - Scholars are notified in small check presentation ceremonies at their high schools before the event. - The public announcement and check presentation will take place on the McGregor Square stage with CSU President Amy Parsons in attendance. - This year’s recipients come from West High School, East High School, Montbello High School and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College, which has two recipients. - Scholarship recipients are chosen for strong grades, a love of learning, financial need and a lively personality. - The 2026 entertainment lineup includes DJ Charlie Wonder, Yachty Got Back before the race, a best hat contest, the scholarship presentation, the big race and DJ Austin Millz after the race. - The party has welcomed more than 3,000 guests from around the world, including LIV Sotheby’s International Realty brokers and support staff. - Over the years, the event has raised $10 million, sold 90,000 tickets and funded more than 115 scholarships. - All proceeds go to the SRLF. - More information is available at the event website.

Between the lines: - The final party is as much a legacy event as a fundraiser, with the foundation framing the celebration as a tribute to Ranch and the community built around his memory. - Martinez’s recognition with the Denver Metro Association of Realtors® Community Service Excellence Award in March adds outside validation to the foundation’s civic profile. - The shift from a private gathering to a large annual event shows how the scholarship mission became the central draw, not just the Derby-themed party.

What’s next: - Denver-area students can continue applying for the 2026 scholarships ahead of the event. - The scholarship checks will be publicly presented at McGregor Square during the final Denver Derby Party. - The foundation is set to close out its Derby run after this year’s fundraiser, with the scholarship program remaining the main legacy of the event.