DENVER -- The 30th Annual Coats for Colorado drive is under way and you can help by donating a new or gently used coat.

Coats For Colorado has distributed gently used and new coats to individuals and families in need since 1982.

"When there is a child or adult without a warm winter coat there is an opportunity to give new life to a coat that you no longer need," said Steven Toltz, president of Dependable Cleaners.

Each year, Denver's 7 and Dependable Cleaners team up to try and encourage the public to donate 70,000 or more coats. Coats for Colorado is the state’s largest coat drive and the nation's largest per capita coat drive. Since the program's inception in 1982, over 1.8 million coats have been distributed.

Coats for Colorado will accept new and gently used coats from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30 at any of 30 Dependable Cleaners locations in the metro area and at upcoming special events.

Businesses, schools and community organizations are encouraged to get involved by setting up coat collection drives.

In addition to daily collections at all Dependable Cleaners, Coats for Colorado will host three collection events:

Saturday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Park Meadows (*new location)

Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Valet parking area of FlatIron Crossing Mall in Broomfield

Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- International Event Center, Mississippi and Havana

Coats will be distributed to anyone in need at Dependable Cleaners 1701 S. Broadway, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. until noon.

Distributions to charitable organizations are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 303-777-2673, ext. 22.

For more information on Coats for Colorado visit CoatsforColorado.org.

About Denver's 7

Denver's 7, KMGH-TV is owned by The McGraw-Hill Companies, which owns television stations in Bakersfield, Calif.; San Diego, Calif.; and Indianapolis, in addition to Denver. The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard and Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Business Week and J.D. Power and Associates.

About Dependable Cleaners

Dependable Cleaners-Coats for Colorado, Inc. is a nonprofit volunteer based subsidiary of Dependable Cleaners which is an 80-year-old family business with 30 locations and free home pick up and delivery of dry cleaning and shirt laundry in the metro area.