25 faces: Leaders fighting HIV/AIDS in Colorado

8 Darrell Vigil

Like many of the key faces of HIV/AIDS in Colorado, Darrell Vigil’s work with the Colorado Aids Project is personal. Living in Denver, Vigil received the news that one of his closest friends in Los Angeles had contracted HIV and died of AIDS before Vigil had a chance to visit.

“That was really traumatic for me” Vigil said, and from that he took action. A coworker recommended he connect with CAP, and since then Vigil’s work has been dedicated to the memory of his friend and those lost to AIDS.

From 2002 to 2009, Vigil has served on CAP’s Board of Directors where he witnessed the evolution of the disease, and the changes in the way the public responds to it.

“Fortunately it is now a much more treatable disease,” Vigil said, “it’s now not a death sentence for those that have it.” But with these new medical advancements comes a decreased awareness – the media spotlight has moved on to other issues, and “there is almost an impression out there that it is not as important as it used to be,” he said.

He hopes to change that, particularly for younger generations. That work, he said, is vital to the fight. Stressing the need that many HIV/AIDS organizations are experiencing in acquiring funds, Vigil hopes that his efforts with organizations like CAP will spark renewed resources for HIV/AIDS education.