Governor Polis Announces New Colorado Poet Laureate

Apache Seeks to Share Poetry's Transformative Power with Coloradans Statewide

DENVER - Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that Crisosto Apache has been selected as the new Colorado Poet Laureate, succeeding the late Andrea Gibson. Apache, an indigenous poet and Associate Professor at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, will serve in the role for two years with a special emphasis on honoring America 250 - Colorado 150 in 2026, a year-long commemoration of the United States' 250th anniversary and Colorado's 150th anniversary of statehood.

"Colorado's Poet Laureate is our statewide ambassador of the arts, inspiring and uplifting the next generation of artists and poets in our state. Crisosto will be a strong advocate for the arts and art education, helping youth discover poetry, and bringing Coloradans together," said Governor Polis. "I am grateful for Andrea Gibson's service as our previous Poet Laureate and we posthumously continue to honor Andrea's artistic influence and unwavering conviction as powerfully shown in the 2026 Oscar nominated film Come See Me in the Good Light."

The Poet Laureate is a celebrated position that serves as an ambassador for poetry, engaging with communities across the state, conducting readings and workshops, and inspiring a love for the art form. As the new Colorado Poet Laureate, Apache plans to help a diversity of youth discover poetry and collaboratively work with county Poets Laureate across the state.

"I am deeply honored to step into the legacy of Colorado's Poet Laureates as the 11th and to walk this path. For me, this service is more than a title; it's about sharing the quiet miracle of poetry and the transformative power poetry holds for our lives. Today, perhaps more than ever, our young people need poetry. When a young person finds their voice through a poem, they aren't just writing-they are building the vision for a more compassionate society and future. I hope my time in this role can serve as a bridge, helping young people discover the voices that will shape our futures," said Crisosto Apache.

Apache is Mescalero Apache, Chiricahua Apache and Diné (Navajo). Apache is the author of the poetry collections "GENESIS," "Ghostword," winner of the Betty Berzon Emerging Writers Award and finalist for the Colorado Authors League in Poetry, and "is(ness)." Apache is also an Editor-at-large for Offing Magazine.

"We are thrilled to announce the selection of Crisosto Apache as our state's new Poet Laureate. Crisosto's profound work as a poet and commitment to a Colorado for All will help strengthen our creative economy and reinforce the vital role arts and culture play in driving economic vitality and place-based growth across the state," said OEDIT's Executive Director, Eve Lieberman.

Apache succeeds Andrea Gibson, who was appointed Poet Laureate in September 2023 and served until their passing on July 14, 2025 from ovarian cancer. Their powerful voice and presence leaves a lasting impact through their work as Poet Laureate, author, health care advocate with Power to the Patients, subject of the award-winning documentary "Come See Me in the Good Light" and much more.

In a 2024 OEDIT Impact Story, Gibson said of being Poet Laureate, "I have learned that just about everyone is a poet, and it is absolutely thrilling to watch people of all ages discover their own personal talent for writing. I cherish the look in someone's eyes when they realize that what they've written is not just beautiful, but a gift to others who read their words. Because of this, I have found myself falling newly in love with poetry many times, and that enthusiasm has made its way into all of my recent poems."

Gibson's work continues to be honored in "Begin Where You Are, The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology." This new collection commemorates Colorado's Poets Laureate by featuring work from all 10 Colorado Poets Laureate that preceded Apache, including never-before-published poems by Gibson. Proceeds are being directed toward an endowment for the Colorado Poet Laureate position to provide additional funding for travel, with an emphasis on visiting rural communities and more schools and libraries across the state.

"We are honored and overjoyed to welcome Crisosto Apache as Colorado's next Poet Laureate. As Colorado reflects on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 150th anniversary of our entrance into the Union, Crisosto Apache's critical work and inspiring voice will invite all Coloradans to reflect upon our storied histories, contextualize the realities of today and boldly imagine a future where all Coloradans can belong and thrive," said Josh Blanchard, Director of Colorado Creative Industries.

The Poet Laureate position was created to promote an appreciation of poetry in Colorado and to honor outstanding Colorado poets. Colorado Humanities, Center for the Book and Colorado Creative Industries jointly support the honorary position, providing $10,000 annually to cover honoraria and travel expenses related to public presentations for each term. This year, an additional $5,000 will be available as part of the 250/150 Commemoration work. The Word, A Storytelling Sanctuary, administered the application and selection process.

Colorado is among the first states to have a Poet Laureate when Governor Oliver Shoup appointed Alice Polk Hill in 1919. Since then ten other people have served: Andrea Gibson (2023-2025), Bobbie LeFebre (2019-2023), Nellie Burget Miller (1923-1952), Margaret Clyde Robertson (1952-1954), Milford E. Shields (1954), Thomas Hornsby Ferril (1979-1988), Mary Crow (1996-2010), David Mason (2010-2014), Joseph Hutchison (2014-2018), and Bobby LeFebre (2019-2023).

"We are thrilled to welcome Crisosto Apache as the new Colorado Poet Laureate. The Poets Laureate helps us remember the past, process the present, and inspire us to dream of the future we hope to create. We are fortunate to have Crisosto fill a role that is so vital in this current moment," said Sarah Olivier, Executive Director of Colorado Humanities.

To invite Crisosto Apache to your community, email [email protected]

About Colorado Humanities

Colorado Humanities, home of the Colorado Center for the Book, works to inspire a love of reading and writing, encourage the exploration of ideas, and deepen appreciation for Colorado's multifaceted cultural heritage. Through dialogue, storytelling, and strong community partnerships, we strengthen the public humanities and help ensure that cultural resources are preserved and shared for generations to come. Colorado Humanities is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Library of Congress Center for the Book, and the Smithsonian Institution. To learn more, visit coloradohumanities.org.

About Colorado Creative Industries

Colorado Creative Industries is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Established to capitalize on the immense potential for our creative sector to enhance economic growth in Colorado, the mission of Colorado Creative Industries is to promote, support and expand the creative industries to drive Colorado's economy, grow jobs and enhance our quality of life. For more information, visit oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-creative-industries.

About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado's economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire-and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT.