A Virtual Festival For Life

Colorado Health Network has patiently monitored the COVID pandemic situation to determine the best way to approach this year’s Festival For Life and 5K Walk/Run: AIDS Walk Colorado. We are excited to announce that we will indeed hold the event this year in a virtual format, and registration is now open!

As a health organization dedicated to serving marginalized identities and people with compromised immune systems, we strongly believe this change will be in the best interest of the health and well-being of our communities. While we recognize that going virtual will impact every aspect of this important tradition, we are also confident that the virtual event will provide a fun and meaningful opportunity for connection during this time.

Instead of a one-day, physical gathering, walkers and runners will have the opportunity to complete their 5K virtually over a three-week period.

In addition, we will host a series of fun community Facebook livestream events like Zumba classes and interviews with FFL partner agencies and the co-founder of the AIDS Memorial Quilt—Mike Smith.

Long-term Denverites may remember Mike was also the executive director of the LGBT Community Center of Colorado from 1997 to 2001 and chaired Denver Mayor Wellington Webb’s LGBT Advisory Council that drafted and advocated for domestic partner rights and transgender rights legislation, which became law in 2002.

Under his leadership, the Center created Rainbow Alley, one of the nation’s first social services programs for runaway or homeless, LGBTQ youth. He also brought PrideFest and the Colorado Legal Initiatives Project under the umbrella of The Center.

The long-held tradition of displaying quilt panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt will continue with a dedication ceremony at the Cheesman Park Pavilion on Friday, August 14 followed by display of panels during the day on Saturday, August 15.

Colorado Health Network thanks the community for your understanding and support of these changes! We are so grateful for your continued support and look forward to being able to meet in person in 2021.

Please visit ColoradoHealthNetwork.org/events for more information on Festival activities along with details on how to register to participate!