The original Ronald McDonald House of Denver opened in January 1979 and was the third Ronald McDonald House to open in the world. The House serviced more than 19,000 families in a 22-year period. A new House was constructed and opened in 2001 and remains 100 percent occupied every night. Due to tremendous demand, the House must turn away an average of 10 families each day which has been heartbreaking to the Board and Staff of the current House.