Good Chemistry Proud To Be A Sponsor of AIDS Walk Colorado

Good Chemistry - Denver's gay friendly dispensary - is proud to be a sponsor of this year's AIDS Walk Colorado taking place Saturday, August 16. 

As part of Colorado's largest and most successful HIV and AIDS fundraiser, more than 8,000 people from throughout the state will come together this weekend as a community to raise money for vital services for HIV/AIDS clients of Colorado AIDS Project and more than 20 other outstanding AIDS service organizations.

AIDS Walk Colorado: The Return of the VIP Breakfast

The VIP Breakfast that had been part of AIDS Walk Colorado for several years is back this year! This piece of AIDS Walk Colorado brings together individuals from years past who have made significant contributions to AIDS Walk Colorado and to Colorado AIDS Project.

The Breakfast is also a way for individuals to get involved who may not be able
to walk the entire route or can’t attend the festival after the walk.

Click here for additional information or to RSVP for the Breakfast.

AIDS Walk Colorado is Looking for Volunteers

Did you know that it takes more than 350 volunteers to make AIDS Walk Colorado happen?
It’s a staggering number, but it’s true!

Volunteers play major roles in creating a successful event:

· Getting people signed up for the event throughout the summer

· Setting up on the day before the event

· Accepting donation envelopes and registering walkers and runners

· Selling merchandise

· Moving barricades into place and keeping our walkers & runners safe

· Pouring beer and selling soda

· Picking up trash and emptying trash receptacles

· Painting faces and leading kids in craft activities

· Cleaning cuts and scrapes

· Moving hundreds of tables and chairs

· Packing boxes

· Loading and unloading trucks

· And so much more!

Volunteers are some of the superstars of the AIDS Walk, always working behind the scenes
to make sure that the 10,000 individuals at AIDS Walk Colorado have a great experience.

If you are interested in joining the ranks of these dedicated individuals
that help make AIDS Walk Colorado a success just email the volunteer coordinator at julia.johns@coloradoaidsproject.org.

AIDS Walk Colorado is Almost Here!

AIDS Walk Colorado is the Rocky Mountain Region’s largest and most successful HIV and AIDS fundraiser. More than 8,000 people from throughout the state come together as a community, fueled by donations from more than 13,000 individuals, to raise money for vital services for HIV/AIDS clients of Colorado AIDS Project and more than 20 other outstanding AIDS service organizations.

The event serves as a day to remember those we have lost to the disease with prominent speakers and panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, in addition to the Celebration of Life Festival, live music, food, beverages and the 6th annual AIDS Walk Colorado Volleyball Tournament, held in conjunction with the Colorado Gay Volleyball Association.

For our 27th year, AIDS Walk is honoring history by using the event's original name - From All Walks of Life - as this year's event theme. Look for special historical displays and a tribute to our past at Cheesman Park during this year's event.

AIDS Walk Colorado: 6th Annual Volleyball Tournament

In the 5 years that Colorado Gay Volleyball Association has produced the Volleyball Tournament that is part of AIDS Walk Colorado, nearly 500 individuals have participated in the tournament on 116 teams, raising over $20,000 for AIDS Walk Colorado!

This year, AWC expects close to 30 teams to compete in the 6th annual AWC Volleyball Tournament as part of the 27th annual AIDS Walk Colorado.

Four-person volleyball teams can compete in Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced categories, so whether you’re a beginner or a professional, male or female, gay, straight or bi, in high school or enjoying retirement, there’s a place for everyone in this grass tournament.

Pool play for the tournament begins at 10:30 a.m. following the completion of the AIDS Walk & Run, so if you’re walking or running in the 5K you can still compete in the tournament.

All Volleyball Tournament participants will receive a goodie bag and a commemorative t-shirt, and prizes are awarded to the top teams in each skill level division.

Click here to learn more about the tournament or register your volleyball team. By registering today, you'll have two months to get your team together and to reach your personal fundraising goal to help support critical programs for people in Colorado affected by HIV and AIDS.

AIDS Walk Colorado: Have You Taken The Red Ribbon Challenge?

Many people who attend AIDS Walk Colorado want to make a difference in the fight against AIDS in our community but have never fundraised before, or maybe don’t know how to begin fundraising. The Red Ribbon Challenge is a way for everyone to participate in fundraising efforts by setting a simple goal of raising $100 in one day with a simple 3-step process:

1. Donate $20 to yourself

2. Ask 2 people you know to donate $20 each to your challenge

3. Ask 4 people you know to donate $10 each to your challenge

That’s $100!

What does $100 mean at Colorado AIDS Project?
At $1.35 per meal, $100 provides 74 meals in the Food Bank to a CAP client who is hungry;

It's 9 free HIV tests to help prevent the spread of the disease in our community;
It's peace of mind for someone who won't have to choose between paying the electric bill
or getting their prescription medications for the month.

Remember, when you raise $100, you will receive the official commemorative AIDS Walk Colorado T-Shirt to wear with pride at the event and after, letting everyone you see know that you made a difference in the lives of people living with AIDS in our community.

Reached your $100 goal already? Don’t stop there! The next incentive level is $500
and will entitle you to your choice of a $20 item at the AIDS Walk Colorado Merchandise Shop!

Check out these fundraising tips that will help you make a larger impact!

Register Now to Join the 5K Run at AIDS Walk Colorado

Runners of all skill levels are invited to join in the 5K Run at AIDS Walk Colorado!

The 5K Run is a USA Track & Field certified event that is an official qualifier for the Bolder Boulder!

Drawing nearly 500 registered runners each year, the Run has become a favorite addition
to the annual AIDS Walk Colorado event.

The route follows the same route as AIDS Walk Colorado, circling Cheesman Park
and winding through the streets of Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood. The 5K Run is professionally timed by Finishline Events & Timberline Timing.

Runner registration includes a commemorative 5K Run T-shirt and a goodie bag
filled with great items from our event sponsors and community supporters.

Registration is $30 per person through July 31st, and $35 per person August 1st through the day of the run.

Click here to Register today for the 5K Run!

AIDS Walk Colorado: Team BCAP Wants You!

Join Team BCAP and be a part of the biggest HIV & AIDS fundraiser around! The walk is free, you can compete for great weekly prizes, and post-walk, enjoy the Celebration of Life festival.

AIDS Walk Colorado Party at Climax

First party, and then participate!

There will be a Pre-AIDS Walk party at Climax on Saturday, August 9 and everybody wearing red will get free red ribbons and drink specials.

Enjoy the party and have fun and then be sure to take part in AIDS Walk Colorado on Sunday, August 15.

And remember, Climax takes place every Sunday through October on the roof at Vinyl.

AIDS Walk Colorado Volleyball Tournament

AIDS Walk Colorado is proud to announce that it has partnered with the Colorado Gay Volleyball Association (CGVA) to offer the inaugural AIDS Walk Colorado Volleyball Tournament. - via Cafe Vivid

Trinidad, CO - still the sex-change capital of the U.S.

It seems like this is old news but CBS news is running a story about how Trinidad, CO is the sex-change capital of the U.S. At the forefront of that designation is Dr. Marci Bowers (at left), who performs hundreds of gender reassignment surgeries a year.

AIDS Walk Colorado 2008: Mayor John Hickenlooper

Mayor John Hickenlooper was the featured speaker at AIDS Walk Colorado 2008.

I managed to catch up with him after his speech to ask him why, after all this time, AIDS Walk is still relevent. Here's what he had to say:

"We've made great progress and some of the drugs that have been developed show great effectiveness but we still don't have a cure.

A cure is something that has been tantalizingly close for the past five years. A real cure is within grasp so more than ever we need to push and we need people walking and raising money and just talking about it to raise awareness."

And then, specifically addressing the gay community, Hickenlooper said:

"I think one of the most powerful things to realize about HIV/AIDS is that it's not just something for the gay community to deal with. It's a disease that affects people all over the country and all over the world.

Surely, in America, there's a prevalence in the gay community and with that, it brings a heightened awareness and more education and discussion and bringing it out into the open pays huge dividends. But it's a universal scourge that, as a worldwide community, we have to just step up and finish. We've got to find the cure."

More pics after the jump.








AIDS Walk Colorado 2008: Jeff Trujillo and Matt Kailey

Colorado AIDS Project's development officer Jeff Trujillo poses with Out Front Colorado's Matt Kailey at AIDS Walk Colorado 2008 shortly before the walk kicked off.

On AIDS Walk's move to Saturday instead of its usual Sunday, Trujillo said, "We're trying to do something different and make AIDS Walk more of a festival with the Beer Garden and BBQ. We've gotten a great response so far and registration is up by over a thousand from last year."

AIDS Walk Colorado 2008: First Universalist Church of Denver

The First Universalist Church of Denver's Youth Group does AIDS Walk Colorado every year.

First Universalist is a diverse religious community of over 900 adults and children. Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism or a longtime member of the larger community, First Universalist hopes you will find their church welcoming and engaging; a church in which you would like to become involved.

First Universalist is a welcoming congregation, encouraging and celebrating the participation of all people who are on varied spiritual paths, priding themselves on a diverse theological community finding unity in liberal religious values.

Unitarian Universalists search for truth along many paths. Instead of centering their religion on specific beliefs, members of the church gather around shared moral values that include the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

AIDS Walk Colorado 2008: Rudy and Octavio

Rudy Lucero and his son Octavio do AIDS Walk in remembrance of Rudy's Uncle Jon.

AIDS Walk Colorado 2008: Beefcake is served

Cherry Creek Athletic Club athletic director Darren Parks and trainer Ryan Fasano were gracious enough to take off their shirts and pose for me. I like that in a man.

More beefcake after the jump.











AIDS Walk Colorado 2008: Thanks to the volunteers who make it all happen

Thanks to all of the volunteers who donate their time and energy to AIDS Walk Colorado. They are some of the unsung heroes of our community.

Why do they do it?

Ralph (front row left) says he just moved to Denver from Florida and, "wanted to meet and be affiliated with the right people and organizations."

Welcome to Denver, Ralph. And thanks!

AIDS Walk Colorado 2008: AIDS Memorial Quilt

Founded in 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is a poignant memorial, a powerful tool for use in preventing new HIV infections, and the largest ongoing community arts project in the world.

Each "block" (or section) of The AIDS Memorial Quilt measures approximately twelve feet square, and a typical block consists of eight individual three foot by six foot panels sewn together. Virtually every one of the more than 40,000 colorful panels that make up the Quilt memorializes the life of a person lost to AIDS.

As the epidemic continues claiming lives around the world and here in the United States, the Quilt continues to grow and to reach more communities with its messages of remembrance, awareness and hope.

See more photos of the section of the AIDS Memorial Quilt that was in town for the 2008 Colorado AIDS Walk after the jump.