DENVER PRIDEFEST 2025:

Celebrating 51 Years of Pride in the Mile High City

Saturday, June 28

Pride 5K

Race begins at 9:30 a.m.

Sat, June 28 (11am-7pm)

Sun, June 29 (10am-6pm)

PrideFest at Civic Center Park

Sunday, June 29

Pride Parade

Parade begins at 9:30 a.m.

Register Now for the Denver Pride 5K!

The Denver Pride 5K is more than just a race—it’s a powerful way for supporters of The Center on Colfax to make a difference in the lives of Colorado’s LGBTQ+ community. This event serves as a crucial fundraiser, enabling us to provide essential programs and services such as social support groups, mental health services, our youth center, and more.

Pride Night at the Rockies!

Thursday, June 5

Coors Field

6:40 p.m.

Join fellow community members for a special Pride Night baseball game at Coors Field as the Colorado Rockies take on the New York Mets. You’ll be in great company whether you’re a baseball enthusiast or just there for the nachos and atmosphere. All ages are welcome – feel free to bring kids, friends, and allies to enjoy America’s pastime with a Pride twist.

Join us for Happy Thursday Pride Night! With the purchase of this ticket package, fans will receive limited-edition Rockies-themed Pride sunglasses! A portion of each ticket package sold will benefit The Center on Colfax.

Your Ticket Package Includes:

• A ticket to watch the Rockies take on the Mets
• Limited-edition Rockies-themed Pride sunglasses
• A donation to The Center on Colfax and One Colorado

Prices and locations subject to change. Ticket availability is limited. For general questions about Happy Thursday Pride Night Ticket Package, contact grouptix@rockies.com or call 303-ROCKIES (762-5437). Please note: Must purchase Happy Thursday Pride Night Ticket Package to receive limited-edition sunglasses.

Denver Pride 5K Run / Walk

Saturday, June 28, 9:30 a.m.

Check-in: starts at 8:00 a.m. near the State Capitol

A Call to Action — Help Us Protect Queer Sobriety (fundraising)

Kick off PrideFest weekend in an active and sober-friendly way by participating in the Denver Pride 5K on Saturday morning! The Pride 5K is a run, walk, or sashay event that welcomes all, regardless of fitness level. The route winds through central Denver, ending near the Civic Center festival area. To learn more about registration, visit here.

Pride 5K is more than just a race – it’s a fundraiser for The Center on Colfax, Denver’s LGBTQ+ community center. Participants often gather pledges or donations, and every dollar raised goes directly to supporting The Center’s programs (such as mental health services, youth programs, and support for older adults). Even if you’re not a runner, you can join to walk or roll the 5K, or simply cheer on the participants along the route. It’s a fun, healthy way to show support. Many runners dress in festive Pride outfits (think rainbow tutus, flags as capes, etc.), which makes it a very celebratory atmosphere – all before 10 AM and without any need for substances.

For those in recovery, the Pride 5K can be an empowering event – you’re literally taking steps for pride and for a good cause. The endorphins from exercise and the encouragement from the crowds can give a natural mood boost. Registration is open to all (often there’s an entry fee that goes toward the fundraiser). You can find more details or sign up via the official Denver Pride website. And if running isn’t your thing, consider volunteering or just coming out to support; seeing hundreds of people move together for a cause is truly moving.

Route Map:

Denver PrideFest 2025 Highlights

Saturday, June 28

(11:00 AM – 7:00 PM)

Sunday, June 29

(10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

FREE: The festival is free and open to the public.

Location: Civic Center Park in downtown Denver (Colfax Ave & Broadway).

What to Expect: Denver PrideFest is one of the largest Pride events in the nation, uniting communities from across Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. Last year’s attendance was estimated at over 550,000 people! The festival will feature 250+ exhibitors and 30 food and beverage vendors, offering everything from local crafts to delicious food trucks. Multiple stages will host live entertainment all weekend, including music, dance, drag shows, and more.

Family Area: PrideFest welcomes all ages. There will be a Family Area on-site, offering fun for the whole family – think drag queen story times, dancing, games, crafts, and interactive kid-friendly activities. Families can enjoy scheduled story hours, music and dance performances, and all-ages craft stations. This ensures a family-friendly atmosphere for parents and kids to celebrate together in a substance-free space.

Community and Inclusivity: The festival is a celebration of love, diversity, and equality, commemorating Denver’s 51st anniversary of Pride. You’ll find a welcoming mix of LGBTQ+ folks and allies. Numerous nonprofits and community groups will host booths to share resources and support (from health and wellness to education). The vibe is welcoming and community-oriented – you do not need to partake in any alcohol or partying to have a great time. There are plenty of alcohol-free activities, booths with information and crafts, and a general atmosphere of sober, family-friendly fun. Feel free to wander the festival, enjoy live performances, grab some food, and soak in the positive energy in a way that aligns with your recovery journey.

Denver Pride Parade

Sunday, June 29

Begins at 9:30 a.m.

17th & Franklin

Due to current construction for the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, the Parade Route has been moved from the usual march down Colfax Avenue.

• The Parade now starts at 17th Avenue and Franklin Street.
• The Parade concludes at Lincoln street.

This was a decision made out of interest of safety for both parade marchers and attendees, as a sizeable crowd is anticipated this year in keeping consistent with trends over the past few years.

What can you expect at the parade? A colorful procession of floats, marchers, music, dancing, and costumes galore. Over 100,000 cheering spectators are expected to line the parade route – so plan to arrive early to snag a good viewing spot! The parade is free to attend and very community-oriented: local businesses, nonprofits, queer youth groups, corporate allies, and performing groups will all be represented in the lineup. The atmosphere is festive and family-friendly; you’ll see people of all ages waving rainbow flags and celebrating. It’s a beautiful display of LGBTQ+ pride and ally-ship in the heart of Denver.

Tips: The parade runs through the late morning, so bring water, wear sunscreen, and consider ear protection for kids (it can get loud with all the music and cheering). Since Just Living Recovery won’t have a formal group in the parade, you’re encouraged to attend as spectators – bring your housemates or friends, and enjoy the uplifting community spirit. Watching the parade can be incredibly inspiring, reminding us all of the supportive community that exists for LGBTQ+ individuals (including those of us in recovery).

Right now, LGBTQ+ people across the country are under attack. Their rights, their stories, and their very existence are being erased through hostile legislation and hate-driven rhetoric. And for queer people in recovery, this kind of stress, fear, and marginalization can be devastating.

At Just Living Recovery, we’re a refuge from that storm. But we can’t do it without you.

Traditional funding is drying up. Resources for LGBTQ+-specific sober living are being cut or ignored. That’s why we’re turning to our community of allies, advocates, and changemakers to help us meet the need.

For just $700/month, we provide everything our residents need to recover: a bed, utilities, internet, structure, support — and most importantly, a space where they belong.

Your donation ensures we don’t have to turn anyone away. Whether it’s a one-time gift or a monthly commitment, your support helps someone reclaim their future. Gifts of any size help.

Can you spare $51 in honor of 51 Years of Denver Pride? Help us celebrate by supporting the people in recovery at Just Living. Everyone deserves to be seen, respected, loved and accepted. To quote the Beatles, “ I get by with a little help from my friends.”

Give today. Stand with us.

Years of Pride in Denver:

A Brief History &

Why It Matters

Denver’s Pride celebrations have come a long way in 51 years. The very first Denver “Pride” event took place in June 1974, when about 50 gay rights activists gathered for a humble “gay-in” picnic at Cheesman Park. At the time, it was a bold act of visibility for the LGBTQ+ community. The following year, 1975, saw Denver’s first Pride march – roughly 200 people marched down Colfax Avenue (sticking to the sidewalks because they hadn’t obtained a parade permit!). By 1976, the energy from these early Pride gatherings helped lead to the founding of what is today The Center on Colfax, Denver’s LGBTQ+ community center. That same year, the celebration evolved to more closely resemble a festival, planting the seeds for the Denver PrideFest we know today.

Over the decades, Denver Pride grew from a small rally into a massive festival and parade. A formal two-day PrideFest as we now know it was first added around 1990, and it expanded rapidly.

Today, Denver PrideFest attracts over half a million visitors each year and is recognized as one of the largest Pride celebrations in the United States (in recent estimates, it’s the third-largest Pride festival and among the top ten Pride parades nationally). It’s certainly the largest Pride event in the Rocky Mountain region – a point of pride (no pun intended) for our city.

Why does this matter, especially to our local LGBTQ+ recovery community? Pride isn’t just one big party – it’s a powerful affirmation of community, visibility, and support. The growth of Denver’s Pride reflects the progress in societal acceptance and the strength of the local LGBTQ+ community. For someone in a sober living program, attending Pride events can be a reminder that you are part of a broad, diverse community that celebrates people for who they are. The fact that PrideFest is so large and vibrant in Denver means there’s a place for everyone – including those who choose not to drink or party. The festival’s success also directly benefits the community; Denver PrideFest is actually the largest annual fundraiser for The Center on Colfax, which uses the proceeds to fund vital services like mental health support, youth programs (e.g. Rainbow Alley for LGBTQ youth), and support groups for transgender folks and older adults. In other words, by participating in PrideFest, you’re not only having fun – you’re also helping sustain year-round resources for LGBTQ+ people in our area.

Finally, Pride’s history in Denver – from 50 people in a park to 500,000 in the streets – shows how far we’ve come. It’s a celebration of resilience and an ongoing call for inclusion. In the context of recovery, this message resonates: it’s about finding strength in community and living authentically without shame. Pride began as a protest and a proclamation that “we are here, we’re queer, and we’re not ashamed”. Today, that legacy continues, inviting everyone to stand tall in who they are, free of substances and full of pride.

Why Inclusive Sober-Living Saves Lives

For LGBTQ+ individuals in recovery, finding a place that feels safe — truly safe — can be life-changing. At Just Living Recovery, we do more than offer a roof over someone’s head. We offer a home built on inclusion, compassion, and community.

Far too often, queer and trans individuals face rejection from family, discrimination in healthcare, and misunderstanding in recovery spaces. Mainstream sober living homes often lack the cultural competency to support the complex experiences of LGBTQ+ people — and that can lead to isolation, relapse, or worse.

We’ve created a space where no one has to hide who they are to heal. Our residents are encouraged to live authentically while rebuilding their lives from addiction. From pronouns to peer support, everything we do is rooted in dignity and belonging.

Being seen, respected, and loved — that’s not an extra. That’s the foundation.