CGRA Announces Wayne Jakino Education Scholarship Fund Winners

By John Hill

Many people think that the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association (CGRA) is strictly about rodeo and the Western lifestyle, but those folks might be surprised to find out that in 2012, CGRA gave away close to $25,000 in charitable donations throughout the community. One way that CGRA gives back is through the Wayne Jakino Education Scholarship Fund, which was established in memory of a man who many consider the father of gay rodeo in Colorado. This year we recognized three scholars with financials awards to assist them with their educational pursuits. They are:

· Sarah Rucker – Sarah recently graduated from Lakewood High School, and is preparing to start her college education this fall at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, where she will major in Equine Sciences. She considers both horses and music personal passions, and has given back to the community by participating in Teens for Jeans, which collects gently used jeans for homeless teenagers in Jefferson County.

· Matthew Hamilton – Matthew is returning to college this summer in pursuit of a degree in Accounting and Business Management at Metro State University. He originally enrolled in January of 2012 and achieved a 4.0 grade point average in his first semester. During his downtime from attending Metro State, Matthew has volunteered for the local chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights as well as participating in Charlie’s Denver Country Western Dance Competition, where he placed in two-step, waltz, freestyle and team dance.

· Steven LaHoud – Steven recently transferred from Morgan Community College to Metro State University to pursue an Associate of Arts degree that he hopes to utilize in a career working with non-profit organizations. He has worked with several non-profits since he graduated from High School, including his most recent experience volunteering at the Humane Society Thrift Shop in Fort Morgan.

Please join us in congratulating all three recipients for their hard work and community involvement. CGRA will begin accepting applications for 2014 next February, and all of the details can be found at http://www.cgra.us/members/scholarship/.

Sign Wayne Jakino's online Memorial Guest Book

Click here to visit and sign Wayne Jakino's online Memorial Guest Book.

Wayne Jakino Memorial

The Wayne Jakino Memorial was held yesterday at Charlie's. After food and a video about Jakino's life there were a number of speakers including Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, state Rep. Joel Judd, City Councilperson Carla Madison, current and past presidents of CGRA, Rahn Anderson from The Center, and many friends, employees and business associates.

In addition to founding the CGRA and many other programs and initiatives, Rahn Anderson noted that, "Wayne Jakino changed the face of PrideFest."

Jakino did that by raising enough money to get Colfax completely blocked off for the Pride parade.

The balloons were released at the end of the ceremony outside in the Charlie's parking lot. Everyone was given a balloon as they were leaving after the speakers. After the speakers, everyone went outside to hear singer Chad Bryan, who sang Mercy Me's "I Can Only Imagine" while ballroom dancers LeighAnn Gould and Morris Vaccarella danced. During this time, all the attendees released their balloons and doves were also released.







Here are singer Chad Bryan and ballroom dancers LeighAnn Gould and Morris Vaccarella:



Below are some of "Wayne's Boys" - Jakino's past and present employees. There were way too many people to fit in one photo and there was not a dry eye in the house at this point.

* photos courtesy of Matt Kailey at Out Front Colorado

Wayne Jakino: A Celebration of Life

Please be sure to come to Charlie's this Sunday to help celebrate the life of Wayne Jakino, the father of the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association and a true pillar of Colorado's GLBT community.

The celebration will begin at 2 p.m. and will include the screening of a documentary about the life and times of Wayne Jakino.

The following pictures of Wayne Jakino are courtesy of Out Front Colorado:

Services for Wayne Jakino

The family of Wayne Jakino has announced the times of services for Wayne Jakino. They will be held as follows:














Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 3pm
Memorial Service for Wayne Jakino
Metropolitan Community Church
10th & Clarkson
Denver, CO

Sunday, August 03, 2008 - 2pm
Celebration of Life for Wayne Jakino
Charlie's - Denver
900 E. Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80218

If anyone would like to send condolence cards, they may be sent to:
Charlie's - Denver
ATTN: The Jakino Family
900 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80218

Wayne Jakino, the father of CGRA, dies

It is with great sadness that I share with you the news of the passing of Wayne Jakino yesterday at 4:40 p.m.
Wayne, the father of Colorado's Gay Rodeo Association, whose name was and is synonymous with Charlie's, was a pillar of strength in the LGBT community here in Denver. He was a member of the Hall of Fame of the International Gay Rodeo Association. He was also a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party, and a person whose endorsement was wanted by all who ran for office. He will be sorely missed by all of us who knew him. However, while we are saddened by his passing, we should also be aware that he would not want us to mourn - he would rather that we celebrate his life and remember him in a very positive way.