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An Insider's Guide to Colorado's Pride Month

If you’re looking to let your rainbow flag fly this June, one of the best places to celebrate Pride Month is colorful Colorado. While the road to LGBTQ+ equality in Colorado has had some ups and downs, the state’s rainbow community always kept moving forward — and now Colorado is widely recognized as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly states in the U.S.A. We welcome gay gadabouts and queer questers to our fabulous festivities with open arms so get ready for a wild ride as we take you on a tour of Colorado Pride. Learn about Pride history and Colorado events below.

In the foreground is close-up, wide shot of large a rainbow flag stretching across a street in Denver. There are lots of people with small rainbow flags dressed for summer surrounding the flag in front of various storefronts. There are sparse trees along the street and in the background are scattered clouds over mountains with a minuscule view of Lannie's Clock Tower in downtown Denver.
Rainbow flag at the Denver Pride parade
A shot from a lower angle of a well-lit singing person dressed in a luxurious, long, black, fuzzy coat and a short, curly blond wig. Their makeup is glamorous and their large hoop earrings sparkle as they perform with a joyful expression. Behind them is a brick wall with a small rectangular mirror that reflects their back. To their left is a sign that says "Black Diamonds" with three images of specific drag performers.
Drag performer at Denver's X Bar for Black Pride Colorado
The photographer stands at the back of a large stage in Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. In the foreground are two people dancing on stage singing to each other. One performer is wearing an all-white outfit, a long white wig, and golden pointy boots. The other person is wearing golden underwear and black tennis shoes with a crown on their head. In the background are the tall buildings of downtown and a large audience filled with people and tents.
Civic Center Denver Pride performance
In the foreground are many Mountain Pride celebrators next to a small lake, dressed in various pride flags, including the trans flag, asexual flag, nonbinary flag, lesbian flag, and more. In the middle of the photo is a large rainbow pride flag held by the people surrounding it. In the background are the mountains, trees, and hotels of Avon.
Mountain Pride celebrations in Avon
A person dressed in a white trench coat, thigh-high laced white platform boots, and black gloves is mid-death drop in the center of a wide walkway surrounded by seated spectators under dim light. The spectators are laughing and smiling and taking photos, while the rest of the fashion walkers are in the background waiting for their turn.
Fashion walks at Black Pride Colorado
In the foreground is a smiling child holding a black folding fan that says "PRIDE" in all caps, rainbow letters. Around them is a crowd of smiling and laughing parents and children taking photos of the parade in front of them.
Family-friendly fun at Pikes Peak Pride
Betty Who, dressed in jeans, a white Nike Air shirt, and white Nike Air sneakers, is in the middle of the photo, singing and performing with an amused expression on a stage in the middle of Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. On the right and left are two background dancers dressed similarly and waving their hands and arms, stuck in dance. In the background are rainbow curtains and Civic Center Park peaking through the cracks.
Betty Who performs at Denver Pride
A group of smiling people dressed in colorful clothing, makeup, and wigs walking for Avon's Mountain Pride parade hold up two tapestry flags - one is the Mexican flag with a rainbow running through it, and the other is the American flag with the rainbow as the stripes. In the background are tall pine and aspen trees.
American and Mexican pride flags at Mountain Pride
A lower-angle photo of a person under stage lights dressed like a golden Pharaoh - complete with golden face paint on their face and beard, and a golden cape. They hold a serious expression and a staff in their hand whose end is in the curved shape of a snake. In the background are blurry spectators.
Black Pride Colorado fashion
Two people smiling widely wearing hats and rainbow-colored clothes pose next to each other. One of them is holding a progress pride flag folding fan and the other gently holds a baby wearing a bucket hat with whales on it.
Fun for everyone at the Colorado Springs pride parade
A lower-angle shot of a person posing in an all-black outfit, complete with ruffles, beaded jewelry, a leather skirt, and a pointy black eye mask that stretches in all different directions around their face. In the background, seated spectators are agog and admire the look under a studio ceiling draped with fairy lights.
Serving looks at Black Pride Colorado
Two joyous people wearing rainbow wings on their backs run across the finish line of the Denver PrideFest 5K race. One of them holds a pride flag tapestry to wave behind them proudly and the other has a rainbow wig on and makes the "I love you" sign with their hands.
Runners at the Denver PrideFest 5K
In the foreground is a person in glasses, a bucket hat, a rainbow t-shirt and jeans with a bag across their body. They are smiling peacefully with their eyes closed as they wave thin, long rainbow ribbons on sticks in front of them. In the background is a small crowd of spectators with hats, wagons and other apparel. The sun is shining.
Pride parade in Colorado Springs
By: Colorado.com Staff Writer
Updated:

Pride History

In 1999, President Bill Clinton gave June the rainbow stamp of approval by declaring it Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots, the OG (“original gay”) moment that kicked off the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. But wait, it gets better! Fast forward to 2011, and Barack Obama takes it to the next level by recognizing the whole LGBTQ+ community. Now, we call it Pride Month and it’s a global celebration of all things fabulous, where people all over the world come together to show love and support for diversity, equality and inclusion.

Denver PrideFest

Denver PrideFest has been around so long, you know it’s really special. Recognized as one of the top 10 Pride events in the nation, the festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. The Coors Light PrideFest Parade is a sensational spectacle of floats and performers sashaying along Colfax Avenue. After the parade, visitors head to Civic Center Park (look for the Mile High Marker on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol proving you’re exactly 1 mile high) for more music, food and festivities.

Pride Pro Tip: Take advantage of helpful services like rideshares — or reserve a spot in advance using Laz Parking or SpotHero — so you can spend more time enjoying the festivities.

Black Pride Colorado

For years, the phrases "Black is Beautiful'' and "Gay is Good'' have reminded us of the power and beauty of marginalized communities. Black Pride Colorado is a relatively recent addition to the Colorado's Pride scene. Happening in Denver, it embraces these ideals by celebrating queer Black culture throughout the entire month of June. With a wide array of events, from outrageous outings to high-powered performances, Black Pride Colorado invites everyone to participate in honoring the LGBTQ+ Black community. This event also reminds us that Pride is both a celebration and an act of resistance.

Pride Pro Tip: Plan ahead! Check event schedules, map routes and get tickets early to make sure you don’t miss a minute.

Boulder County Pride

If you’re looking for a Pride destination that’s as progressive and inclusive as it is beautiful, look no further than Boulder. Not only does it earn top marks from the Human Rights Campaign for its policies promoting queer equality, but it’s also home to a thriving LGBTQ+ community.

In June, Out Boulder County hosts a series of public Pride events throughout the county, including Boulder Pride, Longmont Pride, Lafayette Pride and QTPOC Pride for gay and trans people of color. That’s right, there’s a party for everyone. See outboulder.org/pride for more information and a full schedule of events.

Pride Pro Tip: Fuel your Pride! Stay hydrated and energized by grabbing food and beverages at some of Boulder’s LGBTQ+-friendly restaurants and watering holes, like DV8 Distillery.

Mountain Pride

Avon is a winter wonderland known as a jumping-off point for world-class skiing and snowboarding. But it also offers a sizzling summer scene with endless opportunities for outdoor adventures — like hiking, mountain biking and Pride in the Park presented by Mountain Pride. Pride boasts a schedule full of all-ages activities, more than 60 vendors with an emphasis on queer and outdoor industries, and the highlight of the festival — the Pride Parade, which takes place around glorious Nottingham Lake with Beaver Creek Resort’s mountains as the backdrop. Once the sun goes down, treat yourself to a meal at one of the eateries that support Mountain Pride such as Agave, Fall Line Kitchen & Cocktails, Route 6 Cafe & Lounge or Vail & Beaver Creek Chophouse.

Pride Pro Tip: Check the forecast and dress accordingly for high-elevation weather. Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers so you can adjust to temperature changes throughout the day. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Pikes Peak Pride

Colorado Springs has made remarkable strides in recent years, fostering an inclusive atmosphere for their ever-growing LGBTQ+ community. The city is home to a multitude of queer-owned establishments and organizations, including the Pride Center of Colorado Springs that produces Pikes Peak Pride. This high-spirited celebration centers the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of the Pikes Peak region and draws thousands of enthusiastic visitors from across the state.

Pride Pro Tip: By supporting Colorado Springs’ LGBTQ+-owned businesses — like Icons — during Pride, you can demonstrate your solidarity and contribute to their ongoing success in creating safe spaces and providing vital support in their communities.

Aurora Pride

Soak up the flavor of Colorado’s third largest and most multicultural city at Aurora Pride. Held at Aurora Reservoir, this beachside bash boasts a menu of events that caters to every taste from beer busts and food trucks to drag shows and dance parties. Produced by the Out Front Foundation, the City of Aurora and a rainbow coalition of local businesses, Aurora Pride provides support to the LGBTQ+ community in Aurora and the Front Range. The group also raises funds for LGBTQ+ scholarships. And the best part? Tickets are absolutely free until the day before the event, making all the gaiety there accessible to all.

Pride Pro Tip: Don't forget to take breaks and recharge during the day. Aurora's Lady Justice Brewery serves up award-winning craft beer while supporting social justice organizations, making it the perfect spot for a little R&R.

Pueblo Pride

Come and experience the small but mighty LGBTQ+ community of southern Colorado at Pueblo Pride. The Mineral Palace Park Pavilion, home to much of the action, is also known for its unique architecture featuring a mix of Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine elements. So, you’ll experience a bit of fascinating Pueblo history while you’re there.

Pride Pro Tip: While Pride Month is celebrated nationally in June, Pueblo maintains a tradition of celebrating their Pride in August. Mark your calendars!

Colorado West Pride

Want to get off the beaten path but stay within arm’s reach of your rainbow tribe? Look no further than Grand Junction. Taking place in September instead of June, Colorado West Pride offers a week of exciting social events, culminating in a family picnic, parade and festival. There's plenty to see and do at this zesty festival that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the region. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience Pride with a little bit of Western flair and a lot of small-town heart.

Pride Pro Tip: September is a magical time in Grand Junction with warm, sunny days and crisp, cool nights. Along with attending Pride, be sure to check out the beautiful fall foliage on the Grand Mesa and enjoy wine tastings at local wineries.

NoCo Pride

Experience the vibrant and inclusive LGBTQIA+ community of northern Colorado during the NoCo Pride March in Old Town Fort Collins. As the college town responsible for around 70 percent of Colorado's craft beer, Fort Collins provides the perfect backdrop for this eclectic event filled with a plethora of performers, speakers, activities, food trucks and much, much more. In addition to the Pride March, northern Colorado offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and camping, as well as an array of charming towns with unique shops, restaurants and cultural attractions.

Pride Pro Tip: Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore Old Town Fort Collins, known for its charming historic buildings, unique shops and delicious restaurants. During Pride, many of the businesses in the area show their support by decorating with rainbow flags and hosting special events.

Want more?

Enjoy the state’s year-round LGBTQ+ experiences.

Support Colorado’s LGBTQ+-owned restaurants & breweries.

Photo credits: Denver Pride, Mountain Pride, Pikes Peak Pride & Eboni Coleman/EB Pixs for Black Pride Colorado

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