Biennial of the Americas Hosts April 16 “Americas COVID-19 Memorial” Coffee Chat

Join the Biennial of the Americas for a Coffee Chat, part of the “Americas COVID-19 Memorial” project. The discussion will focus on how artist-driven memorial projects can create a platform for conversation and community healing and explore how the artistic imagination conceives of a memorial dedicated to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will begin with a performance by Aisha Fukushima, performance lecturer, justice strategist, singer/songwriter, and founder of RAPtivism. Speakers include the following:

Arielle Julia Brown, performance curator and cultural producer, Monument Lab

Maria Paz Gaviria, director, ARTBO

Jen Delos Reyes, director and founder, Open Engagement

Derrick Velasquez, artist & curator

"Orphan Black: The Next Chapter," ​Narrated by Tatiana Maslany, Now Available as a Free Podcast

Audio entertainment company Realm has released Orphan Black: The Next Chapter, as a podcast on all audio streaming platforms. The official continuation of Orphan Black is narrated by Tatiana Maslany, the Emmy award-winning star of Orphan Black, and picks up the story eight years in the future and features many of the same characters. 

Since their victory, the sestras—Sarah, Alison, Cosima, and those they love, have been free to live quiet, anonymous lives. Everything changes when the sestras discover that there are more clones out there.

Books: King Tut: The Boy King’s Journey through the Underworld

Taschen presents King Tut: The Journey through the Underworld 40th Anniversary Edition.

Since the ’90s, Sandro Vannini has created complete photographic reproductions that reveal murals and artifacts in unprecedented detail. This comprehensive guide combines contemporary understanding of ancient Egyptian afterlife with Vannini’s super high-resolution photography to cast an enthralling light on the voyage the pharaoh was thought to make after death.

11,000+ petition EA to add Sims 4 pronoun options for trans and non-binary Sims

11,000+ people have signed a viral Change.org petition calling for EA to add more pronoun options for trans and non-binary Sims in the Sims 4. The petition, the largest and fastest-growing gaming petition on Change.org this month, was started by Sims 4 Twitch streamer Momo Misfortune, who hails from Detroit and identifies as nonbinary.

In 2016, the Sims franchise updated their latest installment to include new gender options, in consultation with GLAAD. On their petition calling for gender options, Momo recognizes that this was a big step, writing: "The Sims 4 has come a long way for members of the LGBTQIA2+ community by letting us customize gender options for our sims. However we are still missing representation for our Transgender and Non-Binary sims. The game will use gendered language based on what body type you have chosen for your sim (masc or femme). Recent packs have been adding more gender neutral language or choosing to call a sim by their name instead of he/she, but the gendered language still lingers."

They add, "If we could have the option to choose pronouns for our sim or for the team to switch older game texts to be gender neutral like current pack dialoged it would be impactful for those of us who are still unable to truly feel represented in the game by having our sims selves misgendered. I am aware a pronoun option might have conflicts for translations in other languages. Even if this doesn't get added into The Sims 4, I hope by creating this petition it will show EA and The Sims team how something like this would be beneficial to adding into The Sims 5."

Similar requests have been made by users in the official Sims forums and on Reddit as well. While an unofficial mod already exists, some gamers may not want mods in their gameplay, while others prefer for EA to represent more users through adding gender-neutral pronouns in a patch. Petition signers agree, commenting with their support:

Adam Whisner commented: "I'm new to the game as of just a few weeks ago. Huge fan. One of my households has a trans woman character and it strikes me that there's no way to select her pronouns. I hope there isn't more to it than a development oversight - it's 2021. With all the updates the game seems to get, this one seems like an easy fix. It's time. Please make it possible to separate gender from sex. Thank you."

Jamie Taylor commented: "As a Trans person, it would help a lot to have pronouns in The Sims 4."

Meredith Ashton commented: "Everyone deserves to be able to see themselves represented and get as much out of the game as those who use the pronouns associated with their assigned gender."

2021 MMAA MilSpouse Donna Johnson Memorial Scholarship — Deadline Extended to April 30th

The 2021 MMAA Military Spouse Donna Johnson Memorial Scholarship proudly funded by Parsons, honors the life and legacy of one of Parsons’ former employees — Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Donna Johnson — who was killed in action by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. Donna’s widow, Tracy Johnson, also worked for Parsons.

MMAA is committed to education, advocacy, and support for our modern military spouses and their families, and our scholarship is a key tool in our mission to support those who are often overlooked and underappreciated.

You are eligible to apply for the MMAA Military Spouse Scholarship if you:
• are a member of the Modern Military Association of America (it is free to join!)
• are a military spouse with a valid military ID
• are married to an active duty, reserve, guard, retired, medically retired, or fallen service member of the U.S. Armed Forces
• are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program from an accredited, public university pursuing a STEM degree, or certification such as PMP, security certifications, business certifications of Agile, or Six Sigma.

"RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under" to Premiere May 1st on WOW Presents Plus

 

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under will be sashaying to screens in the US and select territories worldwide exclusively on WOW Presents Plus on May 1st, day-and-date with Stan (Australia) and TVNZ On Demand (New Zealand) local airings. The eight-part series will be hosted by RuPaul with Michelle Visage and Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson on the judging panel alongside a slew of celebrity guests to be announced soon. 

Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce: Tell us what's on your mind!

The Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce wants to hear from the community. Please take 5-10 minutes to complete phase 1 of the 2021 "Steakholder" Survey.

Let's go!

Athlete Ally's Athletic Equality Index of LGBTQ-Inclusion at NCAA D1 Schools

LGBTQI+ student athletes already have a lot on their mind between navigating COVID-19, coursework and their sport. They shouldn’t have to also worry about whether they’ll be sidelined for who they are. This year, Athlete Ally’s Athletic Equality Index (AEI) provides the most comprehensive look at LGBTQ+ inclusion across all NCAA Division I athletic departments, and a blueprint for schools to model inclusion in the wake of anti-LGBTQ hate crimes which were on the rise under the Trump administration, and the more than 35 discriminatory anti-transgender athlete state bills we’ve seen so far in 2021.

This year’s report points to a concerning lack of comprehensive resources, policies and practices for LGBTQ+ students. With proper information and training, athletes and staff can better understand how to be allies to the LGBTQ+ community and foster inclusive policies. And yet, as of March 2021, 92% of Division-1 athletic departments don’t have fully inclusive trans athlete policies. 70% of Division-I athletic departments don’t offer LGBTQ+ educational resources to athletes and staff. 80% do not have a Fan Code of Conduct, stipulating that discriminatory fan behavior at games is explicitly prohibited. Despite a growing number of athletes coming out as LGBTQ+ in college (and before being recruited), less than 3% of NCAA D-I athletes compete in departments that fully protect their LGBTQ+ identities.

This year’s historic NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game featured two Pac-12 teams for the first time in history, and Pac-12 is the highest scoring conference of the AEI with an average of 68.8. The University of Arizona, whose Women’s Basketball team made it to their first-ever Championship game, earned a perfect score of 100 on the AEI. Nine other schools received this distinction: The Ohio State University, Boston University, Kent State University, University of Miami, University of Southern California, George Mason University, University of California at Davis, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Pennsylvania. Score updates are rolling, and we expect this list to evolve. Even in states with active anti-transgender athlete legislation like Texas and South Carolina, schools such as Texas Christian University and Clemson adopted inclusive policies.

President Biden’s Executive Order on LGBTQ non-discrimination, which also applies to schools, is a promising step forward, but will require specific guidance from the Department of Education, and follow-through from individual institutions. In the meantime, especially for transgender student athletes who have increasingly been under attack from discriminatory state bills and lawsuits, knowing about trans-inclusion policies at potential colleges makes a tremendous difference. “I was the first trans kid on my wrestling team,” said high school junior Aryn Bucci-Mooney. “Having a resource like the AEI that lets me know if coaches and teams are inclusive, that this is even on their radar, is so important. I don’t think I’d be comfortable going to a school if they weren’t thinking of inclusion.”

Professional athletes look back at their college years as times when they could have walked away from sports, but chose not to because of the resources and support made available to them. "As an out gay athlete, I know that having on-campus resources for LGBTQ+ student athletes, like Cal SAGSA, help foster an ongoing culture of inclusion,” said Julian Venonsky, US Rowing Senior National Team coxswain. “These resources, and policies that ensure nondiscrimination, make a tremendous difference. I'm proud to be a UC Berkeley alum and to see my alma mater modeling what an inclusive athletic environment looks like."

This year’s results show that funding and Ivy League status don’t necessarily equate to inclusion. One example of this is UW-Milwaukee, one of the smaller institutions scored on the AEI, having only 15 teams and roughly 300 athletes, with a moderate department budget. Still, the UW-Milwaukee athletic department scored an 90 on the AEI through their robust policies protecting LGBTQ+ athletes and cross-campus collaborations and initiatives.

“Developing our core values was a collaborative project,” said Kathy Litzau, Senior Associate Director of Athletics at UW-Milwaukee. “We kept thinking, “These aren’t just words – we want to live this. We want to make sure LGBTQ+ students know and staff are confirming that all are welcome here.”

Under the Trump administration, the LGBTQI+ community faced a harrowing political climate, with hate crimes soaring 43% in 2019. Under new leadership, we have renewed hope for greater inclusion in college athletics, but much work remains ahead. Campuses have an opportunity to provide LGBTQ+ student athletes with a safe place to be who they are. Now, more than ever, students are looking to their athletic departments to provide guidance, support and community, and to model the kind of inclusivity we hope to see in society as a whole.

Activist Janet Mock calls her a legend, now America can meet trans pioneer "Mama Gloria"

Across the U.S. politicians are working to strip away civil rights for the trans community, restrict access to health care and discrimination in everyday life is rife. It’s an issue making headlines but recent polls show that the majority of Americans claim to not know someone who is transgender. With no personal connections and knowledge of issues facing the trans community, will the average citizen want to step up and fight against the rising discrimination and violence?

Director Luchina Fisher is working to help change the lack of connection to members of the transgender community with her documentary Mama Gloria, telling the story of Chicago’s trailblazing pioneer and transgender activist Gloria Allen. The film actually opens with a scene featuring activist and writer Janet Mock presenting Gloria with an award from the Trans 100 for her pioneering work. Fisher was inspired to make Mama Gloria because of her own young daughter, transgender advocate and actress Gia Parr who was recently seen on Pose.

Now in her 70s, Gloria became her true self before the days of Stonewall and witnessed countless moments of LGBT+ history in her hometown of Chicago. She survived assaults and discrimination to start a charm school for homeless transgender youth in 2011 and is still working to help her community.

The film, which presents Gloria’s history and her contemporary life as she navigates her golden years with her characteristic humor and love, opened season 13 of AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange, the documentary series on WORLD Channel and worldchannel.org.

NMAC: We Support National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day Resolution

NMAC is proud to support Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Congressional Resolution to recognize the National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day on April 10.

“Minority and LGBTQ+ youth are a critical part of the fight to end the HIV epidemic,” said Paul Kawata, Executive Director for NMAC. “Young people continue to be at risk of HIV, accounting for nearly 40% of new infections. Young people of color, like the rest of their communities, are at the greatest risk. Bringing attention to the HIV epidemic among young, increasing their knowledge of testing, treatment, and all the prevention options that are open to them, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, will help us reach the goal of ending the epidemic by the end of the decade.”

“NMAC applauds Congresswoman Barbara Lee for her continued leadership on HIV/AIDS related issues,” said Joe Huang-Racalto, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for NMAC. “Recognizing youth leaders in this movement, especially those most impacted, is important not only to raise awareness but to build tomorrow’s leaders so that public health crises such as HIV/AIDS and racism,are finally epidemics of the past.”

Putting evidence into action: APHA to host Policy Action Institute

APHA’s third annual Policy Action Institute offers a look at how to truly make a difference at the local, state and federal levels to improve health.

This year’s two-day virtual event, held during National Public Health Week, takes place April 8-9 under the theme of “Building Bridges: Creating Health.”

“What I love about the Policy Action Institute is that it really gives people a chance to talk about the things that will make a difference at every level,” said Susan Polan, PhD, APHA’s Associate Executive Director for Public Affairs and Advocacy. “It allows us to bring people to speak who are taking the evidence and putting it into action.”

Among the event’s scheduled speakers: political pollster Frank Luntz, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla, and Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill). Keynote speeches, “fireside chats” and panel discussions will focus on such topics as the 2021 health agendas of Congress and the Biden administration, a public health approach to climate change and an update on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Polan said the event is particularly important at a time when the pandemic has underscored the ways bad policy can worsen health disparities and good policy can curb infections and speed vaccine development.

“It’s really about the lessons learned in different communities and elevating them so we understand better what works and what doesn’t,” Polan said.

Presenters will also talk about ways to reach across the political aisle to advance strong public health policy, the types of policy priorities that are important to ensure a robust public health system that can adequately respond to all types of threats, advancing health equity, and more.

Registration for the Policy Action Institute is now open, with discounts for students and members of APHA.

Make Summer Vacation a Reality in Colorado With Exciting New Adventures, Lodging Offerings, Culinary Experiences and More

With the change of seasons comes a renewed excitement around a post-vaccine return to travel, and Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes and wide open spaces are the perfect cure for cabin fever.

Visitors to Colorado can expect to be wowed with exciting new travel offerings. Colorado’s famed Pikes Peak will welcome the new Summit Visitor Center and the return of the world’s highest cog railroad. The much anticipated Palisade Plunge is set to be one of the longest singletrack downhill mountain bike trails in the U.S, and Arapahoe Basin will inaugurate the highest via ferrata climbing route in North America. Colorado will commemorate the Bicentennial of the historic Santa Fe Trail throughout 2021, and Rocky Mountaineer luxury train will debut its new Colorado route this fall. With the renewed excitement to travel also comes a renewed commitment to travel with a lower impact, and Colorado is working to electrify all 26 of its Scenic and Historic Byways.

When it comes time to dream of the adventures ahead, Colorado is opening several new and innovative accommodations offerings across the state including new glamping opportunities, the expansion of Gravity Haus’ adventure lodging offerings to Vail and Winter Park and new boutique properties for one-of-a-kind overnights. And don’t forget to eat and drink at exciting new restaurant and bar concepts popping up across the state.

As visitors explore Colorado, they are encouraged to “Do Colorado Right” and embrace the state’s new interpretation of responsible tourism — showing care not only for destinations but for visitors and the people who call Colorado home. Following is a sampling of what’s new in Colorado for the year ahead. For more information and travel ideas, visit www.COLORADO.com.

Enticing New Attractions, Adventures and Events:

The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway To Reopen in Spring 2021: The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway will reopen after a multi-year hiatus for repairs in spring 2021. Recognized as the world’s highest cog railroad, the Railway is one of Colorado Springs’ top attractions and since 1891, has taken thousands of people to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. For a true taste of all that Pikes Peak area has to offer, take “The Ultimate Pikes Peak Challenge” launching in May 2021.

United Offers New Seamless Travel from DEN to Breckenridge and Fort Collins: Beginning service in March 2021, United is making it easier for customers to travel to Breckenridge and Fort Collins with convenient year-round ground transportation service connecting through its Denver hub. The airline is teaming up with Landline – a premium ground transportation company – to offer connecting service to these popular destinations through DEN.

Colorado is Electrifying Its Scenic and Historic Byways: The state of Colorado is committed to electrifying all 26 of its Scenic and Historic Byways and confirmed that six of the byways have been electrified as of March 2021, with additional byways coming online throughout the year. Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental will begin offering up to 10 electric vehicles between their fleets at the Eagle County Airport before the end of 2021, and Arapahoe Basin has also agreed to provide a $40 gift card per electric vehicle that is rented at Eagle County Airport.

Colorado Launches Liquid Arts Passport: Launching in April 2021, the Liquid Arts Passport is a statewide marketing campaign that promotes breweries, cideries, distilleries and wineries across the state. Created by the Colorado Liquid Arts, which is a collective that includes the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE), Colorado Brewers Guild, Colorado Cider Guild and Colorado Distillers Guild, this unique digital passport provides consumers with discounted tastings and offers from some of the state’s best drinking establishments.

Denver’s Dairy Block & American Field Partner on New Outdoor Markets: Dairy Block is excited to continue working with American Field to host a curated series of outdoor markets in 2021, starting with the Local AF Market pop-up over four weekends this April. Held in the Dairy Block Alley, the Local AF Market will feature a unique line-up of Colorado merchants, including vendors offering apparel, accessories, jewelry, food and more. Each Market will also feature live music, food and drink specials and pop-up bars in the Dairy Block Alley.

Palisade Plunge to Open in Summer 2021: Opening in summer 2021, the much anticipated Palisade Plunge is set to be one of the longest singletrack downhill mountain bike trails in the U.S. A $3.2 million investment that has been nearly 10 years in the making, the trail starts at the top of Colorado’s Grand Mesa and descends down to the town of Palisade.

Mustang Mountain Coaster Opens in Estes Park: Colorado’s newest mountain coaster is coming to Estes Park in May 2021. The Mustang Mountain Coaster will open at Sombrero Ranch and will provide visitors with a fun thrill ride the whole family can enjoy.

Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa Completes Renovation: Newly renovated in 2020 with final additions to be completed in spring 2021, the former Trimble Hot Springs has been renamed Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa offering 26 unique thermal mineral water features, 16 natural mineral hot springs soaking pools, 8 private Japanese-inspired cedar soaking tubs, and is the only natural hot springs in the world to infuse nano-meter and micro-meter oxygen bubbles, increasing the health benefits and purity of the natural waters. The Hot Springs is also home to Durango Hot Springs Spa, which underwent a complete makeover and combines the benefits of natural hot springs soaking with massage and spa treatments.

Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center to Open in Early Summer 2021: The new 38,000-square-foot Pikes Peak Summit Complex will include a newly designed and reconstructed Summit Visitor Center, elevating the experience for visitors who summit Pikes Peak via car, bicycle, foot or rail. The building will be the most sustainable high-altitude structure in the country, if not the world, and the new facility and all exterior walkways are fully accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Guests will be able to enjoy fresh menu options, the visitor’s center’s famed donuts, and digitally interactive displays that bring the history, significance and geology of the mountain to life.

Family Fun Abounds at Las Colonias Park in Grand Junction: Enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, tubing or wading along the Colorado River at the newly opened Riverfront at Las Colonias Park. Located in the heart of Grand Junction, people of all ages can enjoy paddleboarding and kayaking at the new Butterfly Pond and Riverfront at Las Colonias Park. The 130 acre park is the latest development in the “string of pearls,” connecting points of the Colorado River with parks in the Grand Junction area along the Colorado Riverfront Trail.

Arapahoe Basin Opens Via Ferrata in Summer 2021: In summer 2021, Arapahoe Basin will open the highest via ferrata climbing route in North Americaon on their East Wall, one of the ski area’s most striking, prominent natural features. The half-day experience will take climbers to an old mine and the full-day offering will take climbers to the summit around 13,000 feet. Both will include a scenic chairlift ride and boxed lunch.

Mural Trails Itineraries Showcase Art Across the State: In partnership with Colorado Creative Industries, the Colorado Tourism Office is launching a new series of itineraries that tell the stories behind noteworthy murals across the state. Mural Trails is an experience that walks visitors through each piece of art and highlights local restaurants and nearby hotels for a fully-rounded—and turnkey—visitor experience. Currently, the itineraries are offered across the Front Range (here and here) and in Mystic San Luis Valley. Additional itineraries highlighting murals in other regions of Colorado are also under development.

Schoolcations Educational Itineraries Invite Learning from the Road: In partnership with the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado Tourism Office has launched a new series of Schoolcations educational trip itineraries. The trips are crafted with plenty of hands-on learning, educational adventures and, of course, stops for ice cream. Each was designed with kids from kindergarten to 5th grade in mind, but the activities, outings and accommodations will be enjoyed by children of all ages.

Ride of the Ancients Will Showcase Southwestern Gravel Biking in 2021, June 26, 2021: The Ride of the Ancients in Mesa Verde Country takes cyclists along the Trail of the Ancients Scenic & Historic Byway which serves as a gateway to the Ancestral Puebloan and heritage destinations throughout Southwest Colorado. This year’s event will showcase 29-mile and 95-mile scenic and history-filled gravel road rides.

5280 Trail Project Unveils Wayfinding and Art: This summer, visitors can bike or walk through downtown Denver to experience a route the locals call “the 5280 Trail.” The 5280 Trail is an envisioned 5.280-mile recreational biking and walking route connecting inner-city neighborhoods of Denver. New signage and neighborhood activations will add wayfinding and a pop of community art along the route throughout the summer.

Rivertrippers Now Offers Ancient Ruins Tours: Durango outdoor outfitter Rivertrippers recently added a selection of Ancient Ruins Tours to their portfolio of river rafting, 4x4 Tours and Jeep Rentals. Archaeologically trained subject matter experts lead guests to awe-inspiring sites including Lowry Pueblo, Sand Canyon and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.

Gunnison County Shady Island River Park to Open Summer 2021: The Shady Island River Park project is a 10.5-acre Gunnison County development project that will provide safe public access for community members, visitors, anglers and boaters with the construction of a formal boat launch area and access to the Gunnison River. Shady Island River Park will include parking, 19 tent camping sites, a camp host, picnic shelters with restrooms, trail loop system, recreation path, fishing access, boat staging area, access for non-boaters, outdoor gathering areas, picnic tables and a boat queue area.

Mystic Mountain Mushrooms Sprouts in Grand Lake: Mystic Mountain Mushrooms, located near Grand Lake, not only cultivates certified organic mushrooms but also educates guests and customers about health benefits of each type and more. Visitors can participate in various educational classes offered throughout the summer.

The Rocky Mountaineer Debuts its Rockies to the Red Rocks Route, August-November 2021: The Rocky Mountaineer will bring its luxury train journeys to a new route in the Southwest United States in 2021. The Rockies to the Red Rocks route will be a two-day rail journey between Denver and Moab with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs. The company is working with local tourism organizations, hotels and tour operators to curate custom vacation packages that feature tours, activities and stays, so guests can experience even more of the region.

Colorado to Commemorate Bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail Throughout 2021: From 1821 to 1880, the Santa Fe Trail served as a commercial route between Mexico and the US. Traversing much of southeastern Colorado, today’s Santa Fe Trail travelers can experience 1840s life as a trader at Bent’s Old Fort or find wagon wheel ruts and walk sections of the trail at Comanche National Grassland. 2021 marks the 200th anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail, and to commemorate it, Canyons & Plains, a heritage tourism development organization, will tell stories about life on the trail. These stories will be released on Facebook leading up to celebrations in the fall of 2021. The keystone event of the 200-year celebration, the 2021 Santa Fe Trail Bicentennial Symposium, will take place in La Junta, September 22 – 26, 2021. The commemoration continues in Trinidad from September 27 – October 3, 2021.

Basalt Welcomes Contemporary Center for the Performing Arts in Fall 2021: ‘The Contemporary’ is a high impact, future-ready performing arts facility that will serve as an incubator for entertainment, culture and community. The building includes an outdoor amphitheater, an active lobby/workspace and a catering and teaching kitchen and will stand as a model for performing arts centers around the world.

MeowWolf Comes to Denver in Late 2021: Santa Fe’s lauded arts and entertainment group, MeowWolf, will open a new immersive arts experience in Denver in late 2021. Meow Wolf is comprised of more than 300 employees creating and supporting art across a variety of media, including architecture, sculpture, painting, photography, video production, cross-reality (AR/VR/MR), music, audio engineering, narrative writing, costuming and performance.

The Denver Art Museum's Martin Building Undergoes $150 Million Renovation: The Denver Art Museum’s Martin Building (formerly North Building), is undergoing an extensive, multi-year renovation including the new Anna and John J. Sie Welcome Center, two new dining spaces, the Bartlit Learning and Engagement Center and updated galleries. The entire building is currently scheduled to reopen to the public by its 50th anniversary at the end of 2021.

New Center Dedicated to Bauhaus Artist Opens in Aspen in Late 2021: A new center dedicated to the work of Bauhaus artist and Aspen icon Herbert Bayer is planned for the Aspen Institute campus. The new center will exhibit Bayer’s work from Lynda and Stewart Resnick’s extensive Bayer collection, the Aspen Institute’s holdings, as well as pieces on loan from museums, while housing archives from Bayer scholars and public education.

New Pagosa Springs Hot Springs Fest, November 4 – 6, 2021: Celebrate Soak-ember at the Pagosa Hot Spring Fest. This one-of-a-kind festival grants attendees access to more than 30 natural geothermal hot spring pools at three different hot springs properties – The Springs Resort, Healing Waters Resort and The Overlook Mineral Springs Spa, all within walking distance of each other. There will be a variety of activities to explore to satisfy the need for fun and wellness such as soaking, aqua yoga, pool parties, water aerobics, contrast bathing, hiking, live music and a Soak, Sip, and Stroll through downtown shops.

DEN is building 39 New Concourse Gates: DEN is increasing overall capacity at the airport by 30 percent with 39 new gates to be added on all three concourses to allow DEN’s airlines an opportunity to grow and for DEN to accommodate new airlines, including international carriers. Construction on all expansion work is expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2021 and gates will be airline operational in 2022.

New Lodging Properties and Major Renovations:

Hotel Maverick Opened in Grand Junction: Located on the breathtaking campus of Colorado Mesa University, Hotel Maverick is a scenic destination that fosters the spirit of curiosity. Built against Grand Junction's sprawling red rock canyons, this unique Colorado locale immerses guests in experiences that feed their wanderlust offering complimentary cruiser bikes for guests, a pump bike park, disc golf, pet-friendly accommodations and enormous grounds to wander. Plus, the hotel restaurant, Devil's Kitchen, serves up delicious bites and incredible views from its rooftop patio.

Hotel Imogene Opened in Ouray: Nestled in the San Juan Mountains in the heart of Ouray, the Imogene provides the perfect blend of luxury and history. Originally serving as a saloon and brothel, the building underwent an extensive restoration in 2020 and now offers six unique hotel rooms that feature the work of local artists as well as the building’s extraordinary history. Guests can take in the breathtaking panoramic views from the rooftop bar, enjoy a roaring fire in the historic lobby or relax in a custom-built wood stove sauna.

S.L.umber Yard Opened in Leadville: At the renovated train depot FREIGHT Leadville are 12 brand-new high-craftsmanship cabins. Each is designed with reclaimed materials from the original train depot and is named for a historic Leadville working lady, to honor these unsung Leadville residents. A curated library of books, records, tapes and CDs lives in each cabin.

Life House Hotel Opened in Denver’s LoHi Neighborhood: Life House has landed in Denver’s hip neighborhood of Lower Highlands, or “LoHi”. This marks the first luxury hotel for the burgeoning neighborhood and the first out west for the hospitality company. The property’s design draws inspiration from Victorian Industrialism, the contextual 1800s design movement, as well as the natural landscape of the Wild West.

Gravity Haus Expands to Vail and Winter Park: Gravity Haus, a globally conscious experiential brand, opened Gravity Haus Vail in December 2020 with plans to open in Winter Park in June 2021. Gravity Haus' community-based hospitality model offers an authentic mountain lifestyle for guests, a fusion of work, play and travel through tech-forward yet thoughtful 'Haus' brands that include mountain modern restaurants, holistic fitness and wellness facilities, functional co-working spaces, sustainable access to outdoor gear demos, as well as a growing collection of experiential retail partnerships and benefits.

Kinship Landing Opened in Colorado Springs in Late 2020: Kinship Landing, a brand new adventure-inspired boutique hotel concept features a Discovery Platform community space, gear storage and more. The property brings travelers and locals together around city and outdoor exploration.

Aspen Street Lodge Opened in Aspen in Late 2020: Nestled in the vibrant heart of downtown Aspen stands a new luxury retreat - Aspen Street Lodge - a stunning property with a location beyond compare. Nine lodge rooms and a two-bedroom penthouse suite have been designed with refined and warm contemporary mountain décor. Expansive terraces with views of Aspen Mountain and the surrounding townscape and parks, a penthouse pool and hot tub, outdoor living spaces, a fully equipped game room and bar for après enjoyment combined with high-touch service puts the best of Aspen at your fingertips. During Summer/Fall 2021, Aspen Street Lodge will initially operate with buyouts only, due to COVID19.

Headwaters Hostel Opened in Granby in Late 2020: The new Headwaters Hostel is the only year-round hostel available in Grand County and mixes a cabin-like interior with a hipster atmosphere and plenty of communal space.

Copper Mountain Welcomes New Hotel, Element 29 in Spring 2021: The anticipated four-story hotel opened in March 2021 with 127 guest rooms containing sophisticated, modern finishes, and with its proximity to Center Village, guests are a short walk away from retail, dining and outdoor adventure. The hotel is part of the momentum behind Copper Mountain and POWDR’s continued focus on enhancing the guest experience with a $100 million

CherryArts Postpones Cherry Creek Arts Festival from 4th of July Weekend to Labor Day Weekend

CherryArts announces the postponement of the annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival, which was scheduled for July 2, 3 and 4. The event is planned for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4, 5 and 6. This will be the 30th annual event after canceling the celebration in 2020.

To adhere to safe event practices from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, including maintaining a safe attendance level through gating and conducting contact tracing, the 2021 event is relocating to the creekside area of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, across First Avenue, directly across from its traditional home in Cherry Creek North.

“While we are all eager to return to in-person events and celebrations, first and foremost, we are focused on ensuring the safety of our community, which includes hundreds of regional and national artists, hundreds of volunteers, our staff, sponsors, vendors and thousands of visitors,” said Tara Brickell, executive director & CEO of CherryArts. “We’re hopeful that the COVID-19 restrictions will be at a lower level in September, allowing us to gather safely. We look forward to re-envisioning how to come together to support artists and arts education, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary event at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. The 2021 event will include visual and performing arts and immersive art experiences.”

The artists featured at the event will be artists who were juried into the 2020 Cherry Creek Arts Festival and are committed to returning in September.

“We welcome the opportunity to help safely bring the community together to continue the long-held tradition of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival,” said Jeramy Burkinshaw, Cherry Creek Shopping Center general manager. “We look forward to celebrating the wonderful lineup of artists and participants and hosting the impressive variety of activities this Labor Day Weekend.”

"We wholeheartedly support the transition of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival to its temporary location at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center for 2021," said Nick LeMasters, president & CEO of the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District. "Over the past three decades, Cherry Creek North has hosted the Festival which has grown tremendously, become a renowned international art event, and a staple summertime experience for our community. Given the current state of COVID-19 regulations, the change in date and location is the right thing to do.”

As a year-round, nonprofit organization with a mission to provide access to art experiences and support arts education in Colorado, CherryArts provides ongoing opportunities to support artists and create art.

CherryArts hosts Art Shop, a virtual platform for supporting the work of Cherry Creek Arts Festival juried artists. Every purchase directly supports the artists and CherryArts’ mobile arts education throughout Colorado.

In 2020, CherryArts launched “Studio Create,” art kits with remote professional art lessons delivered over a three-month time period, to encourage people to create from home.

Campus Pride announces registration now open for 15th annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Academy

Today, Campus Pride, the national nonprofit dedicated to building future leaders and creating safer communities for LGBTQ college students, announced that registration is now open for the 15th Annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Academy, held online for the second year on Friday July 16, Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18, 2021.

Since 2006, Camp Pride has been the premiere national training program for social justice and grassroots activism for LGBTQ and ally young adults on college campuses. Traditionally an in-person summer camp with about 50-75 LGBTQ and ally young people and advisors, this year’s digital camp will be conducted online over three days with more than a hundred participants from across the country.

“Not letting a global pandemic get in the way of achieving our mission, in 2020 we adapted and held the first-ever digital Camp Pride,” said Shane Windmeyer, Founder and Executive Director of Campus Pride. “We are returning to a digital camp this year because it prioritizes safety and still allows us to connect with an even larger network of LGBTQ activists at a time when fostering ways to build community is vital for queer youth.”

Campus Pride Board Chair and 2007 Camp Pride alum Tom Elliott said, “Ask anyone who has gone to Camp Pride before to describe it, they’ll probably tell you they made lasting friendships with peers from across the country and experienced tremendous personal growth in a welcome, safe environment that is inclusive of all identities and expressions. Finding and building supportive, inclusive communities and connecting with other LGBTQ student leaders is more important than ever.”

Camp Pride will feature keynote speakers, panelists and entertainment geared toward teaching and training LGBTQ and ally young adults. Part of our program teaches students how to develop a "personal action plan" for their campus to become more LGBTQ-friendly. A new addition to Camp Pride 2021, Campus Pride will be funding a select number of action plans with Social Justice Mini-Grants of up to $600 for students to implement on their campus when they return from camp.

Registration is $265 per person to attend. Scholarship and fee waivers are available on a limited basis.

Registration for the 2021 Digital Camp Pride is now open at www.campuspride.org/camppride. Registration closes on Wednesday, July 16, 2021.

PlanetOut Partners with Jungo TV, Launching Largest LGBTQ+ Streaming Service in India

PlanetOut, which owns Here TV and the multi-channel network, PlanetOut on YouTube, announced today that it is partnering with Jungo TV to launch the largest LGBTQ+ streaming channel in India. The free service will feature exclusive LGBTQ+ award-winning content from PlanetOut’s massive library, plus new original movies and series each month.

PlanetOut is now available on MX Player, a video-streaming and VOD platform with over 280 million users globally. MX Player is owned by Times Internet, the digital arm of India’s largest media conglomerate, the Times Group. PlanetOut is also carried on Jungo TV’s newly-launched free direct-to-consumer app Jungo Plus, which is available on iOS and Android devices.

In 2018, India’s LGBTQ+ community celebrated a historic judgement when the Indian Supreme Court struck down colonial-era laws of Section 377, allowing the decriminalization of consensual, homosexual relationships. However, the pathway to same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ couples adopting is still a long ways away, as there remains significant amount of homophobia present among the Indian population — with around half of Indians objecting to same-sex relationships, according to a 2019 opinion poll via the Centre for Regional Political Economy (CRPE).

"We're thrilled to partner with Jungo TV to launch PlanetOut on the MX Player and to bring high-quality queer stories to the LGBTQ+ community living in India. This project marks the beginning of our latest mission to offer the best in LGBTQ+ content to the developing world,” says Paul Colichman, CEO of PlanetOut.

Programming for PlanetOut's new global channel features many of the best LGBTQ+ films, series, and specials, including Academy award-winning films such as "Gods & Monsters," the hit cooking show, “Food Fetish”, which features the most acclaimed chefs and their favorite recipes, documentaries such as Emmy-nominated, "A Long Road to Freedom: The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years", narrated by Laverne Cox and interviews with extraordinary people including Cher, Caitlyn Jenner, Margaret Cho, Dustin Lance Black, and more.

“Our mission at Jungo TV is to connect fans with content they are passionate about. We are so proud to deliver the largest 24/7 LGBTQ+ channel to Indian audiences through our partnership with PlanetOut,” says George Chung, CEO of Jungo TV.