From 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, the new Chipotle Mexican Grill in Stapleton will host a fundraiser for the Denver School of the Arts (DSA). For $5, customers will receive an order of tacos or a burrito and a medium soft drink, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to DSA. Chips and alcohol are not included in the fundraiser.

Denver School of the Arts recently received the Creative Ticket National School of Distinction award by the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Included in the award is an invitation to perform live at the Kennedy Center. Students in the dance, orchestra and band programs will travel to Washington, D.C., for a performance on March 15, 2004. DSA is trying to raise $25,000 to cover all travel costs for students and chaperones traveling to Washington, D.C. Funds raised at the Chipotle event will go toward this goal.

Students from Denver School of the Arts will be performing during the fundraiser. Representatives from DSA will be collecting donations at the door and will be available for interviews. Chipotle Marketing Manager Erin Peterson will also be on hand to speak about upcoming Chipotle events and new restaurants planned in the Denver area next year.

DSA is the Rocky Mountain region’s only public school with a primary focus on the arts. This magnet program draws students in grades six through 12 from Denver and surrounding areas. DSA grew from a conviction that passion for the arts could correlate directly with academic achievement. Students audition for admission through one of three major arts programs: Fine and Practical Arts, Music and Performing Arts (dance and theater). The school enjoys numerous partnerships with Denver cultural groups as well as guest artists.

DSA is located at 7111 Montview Blvd. Chipotle Mexican Grill in the Stapleton development area is located at East 29th Ave. and Quebec.

For information, contact Pattie Bippus, principal, DSA, 303-321-9435; Elana Tapper, Linhart McClain Finlon, 303-383-4606 (direct), 303-877-2696 (mobile), or e-mail etapper@mcclainfinlon.com; or Erin Peterson, Chipotle Mexican Grill, 303-222-2571 (direct), 720-560-9944 (mobile) or e-mail epeterson@chipotle.com.