DENVER -- Dependable Cleaners and 7NEWS on Monday kicked off the 27th annual Coats for Colorado Campaign.

Coats for Colorado will accept donated new and gently used coats through Nov. 30 at more than 30 Dependable Cleaners locations in the metro area or at upcoming special collection events.

Colorado and Denver leaders, including Gov. Bill Ritter, First Lady Jeannie Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper rallied together this year to help encourage support for the campaign. Each has donated coats and challenged Coloradans to get involved.

"For over a quarter century, Coats for Colorado has been an important part of the Colorado landscape," said Steven Toltz, president of Dependable Cleaners.

Coats for Colorado is the state's largest coat drive and is believed to be the nation's largest per capita coat drive. Last year, Dependable Cleaners and Denver's 7 donated more than 85,000 coats to people and nonprofit organizations in need. Since the program's inception in 1982, more than 1.5 million coats have been distributed.

"No child or adult should have to endure a Colorado winter without a coat to keep them warm," Toltz said. "Every coat helps those in need and we appreciate each and every donation and the time given by our volunteers. All of the efforts in support of Coats for Colorado continue to greatly benefit local charitable organizations, individuals and families."

Coloradans can help make the 2008 Coats for Colorado campaign a success by donating new and gently used coats from now through Nov. 30. Businesses, schools and community organizations can get involved by setting up coat collection drives for employees. There are also volunteer opportunities for both individuals and businesses.

To help kick off this year's campaign, a collection event was held on Monday, Oct. 6 at the Denver's 7 studios, located at the intersection of Speer Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue. 7NEWS personalities and Dependable Cleaners' volunteers were on hand from 5 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to accept donations.

In addition to the kickoff, Coats for Colorado will host three other collection events.

The first is Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Highlands Ranch Town Center (located at Lucent and Highlands Ranch Parkway).

The second collection event is Saturday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the valet parking area of FlatIron Crossing Mall in Broomfield.

The third collection event, sponsored by Azteca America Colorado, is Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the International Event Center (located at Mississippi and Havana). Coats can also be donated at any metro-area Dependable Cleaners through Nov. 30.

The coats are distributed to recipients in need through nonprofit and public distributions, which take place at the Dependable Cleaners store at 1701 S. Broadway. Distributions to the public, open to anyone in need of a coat, will be held on Nov. 15 and Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon. Nonprofit distributions to charitable organizations are by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 303-777-2673, ext. 31.

Coats for Colorado Inc. is a nonprofit, volunteer-based subsidiary of Dependable Cleaners that distributes winter coats to Coloradans in need. Dependable Cleaners and Denver's 7 KMGH-TV have partnered to expand and increase the reach of Coats for Colorado.

For more information on Coats for Colorado visit CoatsForColorado.org. For volunteering information, contact Patti Kingsbury at 303-777-2673, ext. 21.