Drive-thru light display returns with new deal for nonprofits

TIMNATH — Colorado Youth Outdoors’ drive-thru holiday light display will return Nov. 26 with a new opportunity for Northern Colorado nonprofits to raise funds for their organizations.

Through CYO’s new fundraising initiative, nonprofits in good standing can register to receive a unique promotional code to share with their donors, volunteers, employees, community partners and supporters. For every vehicle ticket purchased using the organization’s code, CYO will donate $5 to that nonprofit.

The return of “NoCo Winter Wonderland” on Thanksgiving night will feature more than 500,000 lights, 22 moving-light displays and a one-mile drive route that takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, with colorful displays and holiday scenes reflected across CYO’s 12 ponds.

Located just east of Fort Collins near Timnath, the experience offers families a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season from the comfort of their vehicles. In 2025, more than 9,700 vehicles carrying more than 40,000 visitors traveled through the annual display.

CYO will provide each participating nonprofit organization with a unique code to share with its supporters. Visitors can enter the code when purchasing their $25 vehicle ticket online. Following the conclusion of NoCo Winter Wonderland, CYO will calculate the number of tickets purchased using each organization’s code and mail a check for $5 per qualifying ticket.

“We’ve always believed in the power of bringing people together, and NoCo Winter Wonderland gives us another opportunity to do just that,” Luke Brough, CYO executive director, said in a prepared statement. “This year, we’re excited to extend that spirit of giving to other nonprofits in our community. When families come out to enjoy the lights, they can also help support an organization that’s making a difference right here in Northern Colorado.”

To participate, Northern Colorado nonprofits must email their Certificate of Good Standing, organization logo and mailing address to Heidi Warren at [email protected] by Nov. 18.

Already this year, according to CYO, volunteers have contributed more than 250 hours toward preparing the display, including employees from Phillips 66, Chevron, OtterBox, US Bank, Hewlett Packard, Encore Electric and Western Midstream. CYO estimates that nearly 1,000 staff hours will also be dedicated to preparing the displays and getting the property ready to welcome visitors.

The display will be open from 5:15 to 8:15 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays from Nov. 26 to Dec. 31 at Colorado Youth Outdoors, 4927 County Road 36, near the intersection of Larimer County Road 5 and Kechter Road. Admission is $25 per vehicle, and tickets are available now at coloradoyo.org/events/

Northern Colorado nonprofits interested in participating in the fundraising initiative should contact Heidi Warren at [email protected] or call 720-933-5180. The deadline to register is Nov. 18.

The annual event raises funds to support CYO’s mission of building stronger family relationships through traditional outdoor recreation. CYO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 that works to bring kids and parents closer through traditional outdoor recreation such as spin and fly fishing, archery and shooting sports.

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