In a statement released yesterday, Governor Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries have named Crisosto Apache as Colorado's new Poet Laureate, taking up the mantle from the late Andrea Gibson. Apache, an indigenous poet with ties to the Mescalero Apache, Chiricahua Apache, and Diné (Navajo) nations, has been appointed for a term of two years. His tenure coincides with significant anniversaries: America's 250th and Colorado's 150th, dubbed America 250 - Colorado 150 in 2026. His duties will lean toward fostering the arts and art education within the state, with special attention to youth engagement.
Polis expressed his gratitude for Gibson's service and noted Apache's upcoming role in an official announcement, "Colorado's Poet Laureate is our statewide ambassador of the arts, inspiring and uplifting the next generation of artists and poets in our state. Crisosto will be a strong advocate for the arts, and art education, helping youth discover poetry, and bringing Coloradans together," according to the Colorado Governor's Office. Apache will not only promote poetry but also work collaboratively with county Poets Laureate to engage communities statewide.
"I am deeply honored to step into the legacy of Colorado’s Poet Laureates as the 11th and to walk this path," Crisosto Apache said, as per the Colorado Governor's Office. "For me, this service is more than a title; it’s about sharing the quiet miracle of poetry and the transformative power poetry holds for our lives." He stressed the importance of helping young people discover their voices through poetry as a means of building a more compassionate future society.
Crisosto Apache's work as an educator and poet, including collections such as "GENESIS" and "Ghostword," has been recognized with awards and acclaim. As editor-at-large for Offing Magazine, Apache brings a wealth of literary experience to his new position. Eve Lieberman, OEDIT's Executive Director, praised his commitment, saying, "Crisosto’s profound work as a poet and commitment to a Colorado for All will help strengthen our creative economy and reinforce the vital role arts and culture play in driving economic vitality and place-based growth across the state," as obtained by the Colorado Governor's Office.
