On Saturday, May 3, 2025, the beloved biennial CA Auction returns. The theme for this year’s event is Derby Day! While the annual spring event is a vital fundraiser for CA’s financial aid program, it also serves as a special opportunity for the CA community to come together.
The Derby Day committee, chaired by Caity Barton and Jess Sigala, and with representation from every grade, has planned a fun evening that features Southern-inspired bites, mint juleps (the signature Derby cocktail!) and other drinks, remarks, a Live Auction, and a paddle-raise. Funds raised from the event support CA’s financial aid program, strengthening CA’s commitment to advancing opportunities for more students to experience what we all know and love about our school. CA is slated to provide $5.5 million in financial aid for the 2025-2026 school year.
We hope you will consider attending the event, but you also can support Derby Day with a cash donation or be a part of the fun through the Silent and Live Auctions. The Silent Auction will be offered online, opening on Wednesday, April 30. That means that everyone near and far can bid on the fantastic items! The Live Auction will take place at the May 3 Derby Day event. Thank you to those making our auction items possible.
Special thanks to Derby Day Presenting Sponsor Aurum Home Technology, and other sponsors including ANB Bank (Patron Party Sponsor), the Martin Family (Pre-Party Sponsor), Isiah and Erin Salazar & Jason and Angelique Belvill (The Paddock Sponsors), Hirtle Callaghan and VRCC (Impact Video Sponsors), and Matter Family Office (After-Party Band Sponsor).
Amazing experiences are up for bid in the Live Auction
CA’s annual spring fundraising events are known for offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the Live Auction, and this year is no exception! At the May 3 event, you can bid on an array of amazing, unique packages.
Seven-night stay in Harbour Island, Bahamas in summer 2026 at the beautiful five-bedroom, fully-staffed world-class At Ease retreat.
A special experience at Kentucky Derby 2026, including a 6-person Clubhouse Box for both the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 1 and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, 2026, plus a VIP Tour of Churchill Downs.
MLB 2025 All-Star Game package for two people in mid-July, including tickets to the All-Star Game on July 15 and all the ballpark events, plus airfare, hotel accommodations, and plenty of MLB swag.
Formula 1® Grand Prix 2025 Austin experience for two guests, including all-inclusive access to the Formula 1 Paddock Club™ on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19, 2025, plus dinner at Uchi Austin and hotel accommodations through Liberty Media’s room block.
Getaway to Prairie Dunes Country Club, including private air travel, 2 to 3 rounds of golf, and overnight accommodations at Prairie Dunes for 3 people in fall 2025.
Ultimate Denver Sports MVP Package, including premium seats for Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche games, Club-Level season tickets for the Denver Broncos, and signed jerseys from Nikola Jokić, Nathan MacKinnon, and Pat Surtain II.
Dinner for 10 at Mizuna or Luca, including a multi-course dinner with wine pairings plus a 3-liter double magnum of the 2022 Antikythera Pinot Noir from Oregon’s esteemed Antica Terra winery.
Visit the Live Auction page for more information on each package.
Not-to-be-missed Silent Auction items
The online Silent Auction will offer packages and items at a variety of price points, with bidding opening on Wednesday, April 30. Here is a preview of what you will see in the Silent Auction:
- Experiences from every Lower School classroom teacher (plus Mrs. Crabtree!), featuring Rock Climbing, Pizza Making, Bluey-Palooza, Bowling, and more!
- CA favorites like reserved parking, reserved seating at Continuation and Commencement, and early parent/teacher conference sign-up.
- Unique experiences, such as private tours of the Clyfford Still Museum, the Coors Western Art Exhibit, and the Denver Art Museum.
- Tickets to amazing concerts, including Tate McRae, James Taylor, Big Head Todd, and a variety of shows at Red Rocks, Fiddlers Green, and Mission Ballroom.
- Getaways to Cabo, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Maine, Nashville, and Lexington.
- Tickets to a variety of sporting events, including Nuggets, Avalanche, Rockies, Broncos, and CU Buffs.
- Buy-a-Share spots for Morning Mahjong, a Murder Mystery Party, a Sweat Den Class, and French Toast & Brunch with Assistant Head of School Amy Wintermeyer.
- Wine and spirits from casual to connoisseur!
- Jewelry, spa services, fitness sessions, and more.
- Plus a special section of Mystery Packages, all priced at $25, which include gift certificates or other items up to a $100 value.
- New this year: Bid on our Mystery Mustang! The Mustang will be filled with all sorts of mystery items and valued at more than $1,000.
Create memories together!
Many of the Live and Silent Auction packages are designed for friends to go in together as a group. We are happy to split the cost of the package among multiple families after the bidding is finalized, but note that one person will need to place the bids during the online Silent and Live Auctions.
How the Auctions work
The Silent Auction will open on the Derby Day website on Wednesday, April 30. That day, you will receive an email inviting you to register for the Silent Auction. If you have already made a gift to Derby Day online (by purchasing a ticket or Patron package or making a donation), you are already registered for the Silent Auction and will receive an email with your bidder number when the auction opens.
The Live Auction will take place at the May 3 Derby Day event. If you will not be in attendance at the event but would like to bid on any of the packages in the Live Auction, you can contact CA Advancement Officer Gravely Wilson to discuss options for bidding.
FREE Derby Day Drawing
Be sure to register for the CA Derby Day Drawing on the Tickets + Patron Packages page, giving you a no-purchase necessary chance to win great prizes like early sign-up access to Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 parent/teacher conferences, a Dae Gee Korean BBQ basket, a $50 gift certificate to Where the Sidewalk Ends Toy Shop, and a Kentucky Derby-themed basket.
Join us on May 3 for Derby Day
If you have not already, you can purchase tickets for Derby Day today. Individual tickets (which include all food and beverages) are priced at $150. Individual ticket prices increase to $200 on April 8, so purchase your tickets now.
If you are interested in taking your Derby Day experience to the next level, we invite you to join us as a Derby Day Patron! Patron packages offer access to the April 9 Patron Party at The Village Club, reserved seating for the Derby Day program, and fabulous Patron bags.
Financial assistance for Derby Day tickets is available to parents who are currently receiving tuition assistance. If you are currently receiving financial aid for tuition and are interested in attending Derby Day, please contact Lisa Dean (CA Financial Access Manager), 303-914-2516.
For more information on the CA Auction, please contact CA Events Manager Nevare Desnoyers at nevare.desnoyers@coloradoacademy.org or 303-914-2509.