Carbondale, Aspen, and Glenwood Springs Host Pride Events This Weekend

The first weekend of Pride month is here, and the Western Slope isn’t just watching from the sidelines. Carbondale is turning Main Street into a parade route, Glenwood Springs is taking over Two Rivers Park, and Palisade is trading its wine for bluegrass.

It’s a busy few days for locals who want to celebrate, compete, or just get out of the house.

In the Roaring Fork Valley, the timing is deliberate. Carbondale’s pride celebration is slotted right next to the first Friday art walk, creating a natural flow for visitors. The night kicks off with the Roaring Fork Divas hosting a drag show, followed by a rainbow friendship bracelet station. Then, at 6:30 p.m., the parade moves down Main Street. It’s a simple plan, but it puts the community center stage.

Up the valley, Aspen is focusing on preparation. The Aspen Art Museum is hosting a free pride prop workshop on Saturday morning. It’s a low-barrier entry point for families and artists alike, before the crowd heads down to Glenwood Springs for a festival in Two Rivers Park.

Denver is going bigger, too. Pride there has morphed from a single weekend blowout into a monthlong celebration. They’re sprinkling events all over June, including a Pride Prom at the zoo tonight and a queer hike tomorrow. But for the dog lovers, the headline event is the Mutt Strutt. Denver Pride calls it “the cutest doggy drag show in town.” It’s happening again this year, and it’s free.

If you’re looking for something less colorful and more rustic, Palisade is hosting its annual Bluegrass and Roots Festival. It’s pickin’, sippin’, and camping on the Colorado River. Single-day tickets start at $70, and three-day passes run $190. The event runs from June 5-7 at Riverbend Park, 451 Pendleton St.

Further north, Vail is hosting the GoPro Mountain Games. It’s extreme sports at the base of Vail Mountain. You’ve got running, biking, bouldering, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and even slacklining competitions. There’s live music and gear demonstrations all weekend. It’s free to enter, though select events will have ticketed entry. The games run from June 4-7 in Vail Village, near Blue Jay Way.

For those who prefer words to wings, The Moth is hosting a Story Slam. It’s an open mic storytelling event. Details on the specific venue and time were cut off in the source material, but it’s another option for folks who want to hear a good story rather than watch a parade.

The question is whether you’re in the mood for a doggy drag show or a bluegrass festival. The options are there, and the weather is holding. Just check the times.