NOCOFest Goes West

Avery’s Light, a Northern Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with special needs, announces NOCOFest Goes West, the organization’s fourth annual fundraiser, set for Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 5-10 pm at a new venue: Colorado Youth Outdoors, 4927 County Road 36, Fort Collins.

This year’s event brings a new Western theme and a new home to NOCOFest’s biggest stage yet, with an expected 500 guests joining Avery’s Light in support of the special needs community across Northern Colorado.

Avery’s Light was founded in 2021 after its founding family heard the word “no” more often than “yes” – and decided to build a place where the answer would always be yes. “Sometimes what’s missing isn’t ability – it’s opportunity,” said Kristen Bland, Founder. Since then, Avery’s Light has grown into Northern Colorado’s leading advocate for inclusive recreation, adaptive programming, and family resources.

Every dollar raised at NOCOFest goes directly toward grants, adaptive recreation, and inclusive programs that turn “no” into “yes” for individuals with special needs and their families.

A New Kind of Night

Guests can expect:

• Live music from Northwoods, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

• DJ OSO closing out the night, 8:00 - 10:00 pm

• A short NOCOFest Program at 7:30 pm spotlighting the families and programs the event supports

• Food trucks, vendors, and walking entertainment throughout the evening, all set against a Western backdrop

Tickets

General admission tickets are $100 per person, with all proceeds directly funding Avery’s Light programming. Tickets are available now at https://www.nocofest.org/events/nocofest-2026 or via nocofest.org.

Last year, NOCOFest drew more than 450 attendees and raised $185,000 for the special needs community. These funds went directly to therapy, recreation, and family resources. With a new venue and a bigger vision this year, organizers are aiming higher still.

With Gratitude to Our Sponsors

NOCOFest Goes West is made possible by the generosity of this year’s sponsors:

• Presenting Sponsor: Carrico Family Foundation

• Power of Possibility Sponsor: Edward Jones

• Inclusion Champion Sponsors: High Country Beverage, Colorado Youth Outdoors, Rope n’ Rascals, Primary Event Rentals

• Breaking Barriers Sponsors: Bank of Colorado, LSI

• Ability in Action Sponsors: Centennial Leasing & Sales, PFC, PJL Schmidt, Peterson Toyota, Fusion Lighting & Design

• Belonging Sponsors: Big Deal Company, Front Range Energy, Thompson River Pediatrics, Tracy & Rusty Bailey

• Gift of Hope Sponsors: ENT - now Wings Credit Union, The Genesis Project, Robert & Susan Majerus, CBRE’s Fort Collins Office, Scheels, Renaissance Insurance, Springhaus, Woodland Homes, Connecting Point, and Greg Roeder - LIV Sotheby’s Realty

“Every sponsor at this event is choosing to invest in possibility, helping create more opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate, belong, and thrive in our community,” said Lori Couch, Executive Director of Avery’s Light.

About Avery’s Light

Avery’s Light is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Northern Colorado, founded in 2022 to empower individuals with special needs through resources, therapy, and recreation. Learn more at averyslight.org