Chris Ransick currently serves as Denver Poet Laureate. The honorary post helps engage the public and students with poetry and poets, and provides support to the fields of poetry and literature. Activities of the Poet Laureate include readings, lectures, serving as a judge of writing and poetry contests, school visits and appearances at official City events.
The post of Denver Poet Laureate was established in September 2004, with Mayor John W. Hickenlooper’s posthumous appointment of Albelardo “Lalo” Delgado as Denver’s first official City Poet Laureate. Chris Ransick was appointed as Denver's second Poet Laureate in 2006. The Poet Laureate Program is administered and supported by the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs
April Poetry Month in Denver
The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs invites everyone to participate in Poetry Month during April. Dozens of events are part of the local celebration and being promoted through a special calendar and website. The month-long celebration, started by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, celebrates poetry and its vital place in American culture. The vitality and diversity of Denver’s poetry scene is apparent from the range poetry activities taking place during April – from Poetry Flash Mob to Wynkoop’s Liquid Poetry special brew, competitions, workshops and readings. Click on the Poetry Month tab to learn more about scheduled events and download a calendar and special Poetry Month offers.
Denver's Longest Multi-Lingual Poem
Begun in the Spring of 2007, everyone is invited to contribute to Denver's longest multi-lingual poem. The 3' wide scroll is making the rounds, appearing at events and activities throughout the metro area and providing an opportunity for folks to add their words to the growing poem. Entries run the whole gamut, from contributions by many of the region's most established poets to student and amateurs - and yes, even "Roses are red."
Denver's poem helps to promote poetry and let's everyone get in touch with their inner poet, while creating a lasting community project. You can add your own words to the poem, or perhaps share something from a favority poem or song. The only restriction is that profanity and hate speech are not allowed.
If you woud like to have the poem make an appearance at your event or location, please contact the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs at
jan.brennan@denvergov.org or 720-865-4312 to make arrangements. Watch for a future announcement of a display of the poem.
Poetry in Motion
Poetry is not found only in schools and libraries! Look for placards in local RTD buses as part of the Poetry in Motion program. In partnership with RTD, poems from eight local poets will be featured in 800 buses in 2008. This national program, established by the Poetry Society of America, makes riding the bus a more pleasurable and enlightening experience. Poetry in Motion allows people to encounter poetry in their everyday lives and makes a nice addition to the bus interiors. It is also a wonderful opportunity to provide support and exposure to some of Denver's best poets.