Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado opens gala auction to the public

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado is opening its Big Little Gala auction to anyone online starting Aug. 22, with bidding set to close Aug. 27 in Denver. The money helps fund mentoring matches and case management for youth across Colorado.

Why it matters: - Auction proceeds help fund mentoring matches that connect Colorado youth with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. - The money also supports professional case management that helps matches last longer. - The gala is sold out, but the auction has no capacity limit, opening fundraising to bidders across Colorado and beyond.

What happened: - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado opened public bidding for its annual auction on Aug. 22. - Bidding runs online through 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27. - Anyone can bid without buying a Big Little Gala ticket. - Registration requires an email address or phone number. - Bidding works from any device. - The auction is available at public bidding page. - The Big Little Gala takes place Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Denver Art Museum.

The details: - The 2025 auction included more than 90 packages. - Categories included Colorado getaways, sports and outdoors, photography, neighborhood baskets and event tickets. - The 2026 auction includes 72 total items open to the public online. - Public items include getaways, sporting events, neighborhood baskets, experiences and photography packages. - Live auction items are reserved for gala guests. - Live auction items include The World Traveler, Savor South Africa Heritage Safari and a Colorado Avalanche VIP Suite Experience. - Colorado businesses, hotels, restaurants and individual supporters donate the packages outright. - That donation model keeps the cost of goods for proceeds low. - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado has served young people since 1918. - The organization serves youth and families in the Denver Metro and Pikes Peak regions through 1:1 community-based and school-based mentorship. - The organization also offers programs that help young people prepare for life after high school. - The group says supporters can also donate directly at any time in any amount. - BBBSC's public-facing site is biglittlecolorado.org.

Between the lines: - Elycia Cook, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, said auctions create a direct line from donated items to local mentoring support. - The organization says the young people it serves often face financial and family instability. - Among Littles served in 2025, 70% came from single-parent households. - In 2025, 41% belonged to families receiving income assistance. - In 2025, 15% had a parent who had been incarcerated. - Matches last an average of 3.6 years. - BBBSC argues that long matches matter because research shows short matches can do little and can also do harm. - Bidders in Pueblo, Durango or out of state can compete for the same items as gala guests in Denver.

What's next: - Online bidding remains open until 8 p.m. Aug. 27. - The sold-out gala will cap the in-person event, but the auction remains open to the broader public. - Supporters who do not bid can still give directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. - The organization will use proceeds to sustain mentoring relationships across Colorado.

The bottom line: - The auction is the easiest way for people outside the gala to turn a bid into mentoring support for Colorado youth.