Within 10 years, it had grown all across the nation, with Denver’s own first Pride Parade happening in 1974. We can help you keep up. The Lookout is a free, daily email newsletter with news and happenings from all over Colorado.
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.
A portion of each ticket package sold will benefit The Center on Colfax, Colorado’s largest LGBTQ+ resource and community center, and One Colorado, the state's leading advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ rights. It's free for attendees.
Pride in Place
When: TBA 2026 Where: Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities Jefferson County Public Library and the Arvada Center are proud to present this free community event celebrating Pride Month!
The show goes on, and so does our parade! to about 1:30 p.m. Even if it’s just showing up. On Saturday, it will start at 11, and on Sunday, it starts at 10.
There will be more than 250 exhibitors, 30 food vendors, and live performances from Pattie Gonia, Detox, Vanessa Vanjie and CHIKA.
At Dance World, one component of the festival, there will be a different DJ every hour, and there will also be a “Gayborhood Market,” where, according to Salvaggio, there will be 90 queer-owned businesses, some Colorado-based brick-and-mortars, and some with only an online presence.
Its route, which is not changing from last year’s, starts on Lincoln between Colfax and 14th, just west of the State Capitol. Board the eastbound 83L on Broadway at 13th Avenue)
16th Street FreeRide shuttle (Board the FreeRide on Cleveland and 16th Street)
You can find a full schedule of events here.
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More Pride-Related Events
Cultural First Friday - Pride!
When: TBA 2026 Where: Museo de las Americas Enjoy shopping among local artist vendors, try a food truck, enjoy a drink, get inspired by the museum's exhibition and meet other art enthusiasts.
Colorado Rockies Pride Night
When: Coors Field Where: TBA 2026 With the purchase of this ticket package, fans will receive limited-edition Rockies-themed Pride sunglasses!
on Saturday, hosted by Jazmine James and DJ Markie.
Then the main event will be the Pride parade from 9:30 a.m. Sign up here and we will see you in the morning!
on Saturday and organizers invite participants to "run, walk, roll, or sashay with was" from 14th Avenue through Cheesman Park and back.
Motorists should expect closures, delays, and detours on and around 14th Avenue in the area around Cheeseman Park, with police directing traffic.
Cheesman Park will be closed to vehicles during the 5K, so Regional Transportation District commuters can access routes 10 and 12 west of Corona Street or east of York Street.
There will be a drag show at Dairy Block, 1800 Wazee Street, from 1 to 3 p.m.
The step-off point for the parade will be at 17th Avenue and Franklin Street; the parade then will travel along 17th Avenue to the end point at 17th Avenue and Lincoln Street.
Kim Salvaggio
This shift is because of construction for the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project happening along Colfax Avenue.
“The joke I’ve been telling people,” Salvaggio said, “is if you’ve been on Colfax recently, you know why there’s a change.” Construction makes walking that part of Colfax difficult, with the sidewalks altered and lots of driving delays as well.
The perks of the new route, according to Salvaggio, are that “businesses along 17th “are really excited, and 17th offers more shade, too.” Salvaggio said about 13,000 marchers and 250 participants – people who have a float or a group that’s come together – are expected to take part.
The original purpose of having a Pride Parade was not only visibility, but also a way for the LGBTQ+ community to advocate for their rights and affirm their existence within the greater world as a whole. 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.
This year gives us a chance to return to our roots. The LGBTQ+ Pride event, celebrated throughout June and especially on the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York, is observed around the world.
Most other Pride events in Colorado already wrapped up earlier this month, but Denver's weekend events will bring a 5K, parade, "Gayborhood Market," wedding ceremonies, drag shows, comedy and live music performances, health and wellness events, and more.
The 5K goes from 9:30 a.m.
Temperatures could reach the mid- to upper-80s, so make sure to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen if you burn easily.
Salvaggio said that last year, that marketplace event was so successful that they decided to make it larger this time around. Come out, show your pride and support an incredible cause!
'Non-Corporate Pride Market'
When: TBA 2026 Where: 3899 Jackson Street, Building 4 Join this celebration of local LGBTQ+ creativity, small businesses and community with more than 70 artists inside 18,000 square feet of space.
The race goes on 14th to Cheesman Park and back, and about 4,000 people are expected to participate.
The other main attraction is Denver PrideFest, which will take place on both days, in and around Civic Center Park.
Attending the Denver Pride Parade is a free experience, and highly encouraged, not only because of how it brings together our community—Now, more than ever, we see why we need pride.