Book Launch Dec. 5 at Petals & Pages Bookstore, Proceeds to Benefit Poet Laureate Endowment
DENVER — Today, Governor Jared Polis, Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), a division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), Colorado Humanities, and Colorado Poet Laureate Anthology announced a new collection of work or “anthology,” titled “Begin Where You Are,” commemorating Colorado’s Poets Laureate. Proceeds from book sales will go 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.
“The arts tell the story of who we are, a narrative that is essential to the Colorado spirit. We are thrilled to celebrate this important collection of work, which commemorates the profound contributions of our Poets Laureate to our vibrant culture and way of life,” said Gov. Jared Polis.
"Begin Where You Are" will feature work by all 10 of Colorado's Poets Laureate, including never-before-published poems by the state’s most recent Poet Laureate, the late Andrea Gibson. A launch party for the anthology will be held Friday, Dec. 5, at Petals & Pages Bookstore at 956 Santa Fe Drive in Denver. The event includes book signings, poetry readings, and light refreshments. Interested individuals can register for the event, pre-order “Begin Where You Are” or make a donation on the Colorado Poets website.
“The Poet Laureate is a statewide position, advocating for the literary arts in Colorado. The release of 'Begin Where You Are' is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Poets Laureate while increasing their reach across the state,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.
Colorado’s Poet Laureate advocates for poetry, literacy, and literature by participating in readings and other events at the state capitol, schools, libraries, and literary festivals across the state. Nominations are currently being reviewed for Colorado’s next Poet Laureate (the 11th), with an announcement expected in early 2026.
In recognition of the America 250 - Colorado 150 Commemoration, the 11th Poet Laureate will explore and undertake diverse, imaginative efforts to remember our shared past and imagine a unified future.
“Poets Laureate play a unique and important role uplifting arts and culture in Colorado. They commemorate our past, celebrate who we are and inspire a vision for our future. We are thrilled to celebrate their contributions in this special anthology, and in turn support the work of Poet Laureates to come,” said Josh Blanchard, Director of CCI.
The Colorado Poet Laureate program is a partnership between CCI, Colorado Humanities and The Word, A Storytelling Sanctuary, Inc.
Authors have foregone their royalties to create a book that will increase access to poetry for more Coloradans; 100% of proceeds from sales of the book will go to create the first state Poet Laureate endowment, administered by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology, which compiled and edited the book in partnership with the living Colorado Poets Laureate past and present over the past three years.
“We hope that readers enjoy 'Begin Where You Are,' not only because it is filled with incredible writing, but because they are a part of an important mission: helping the poet laureate reach more people in Colorado," said Turner Wyatt, director of The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology.
The book is being published by Center for Literary Publishing in Fort Collins, and distributed by University Press of Colorado.