25 Things you didn’t know about Colorado AIDS Walk

1
    AIDS Walk Colorado is the largest HIV/AIDS fundraising event in the Rocky Mountain Region.

2
     More than 300 volunteers work each year’s AIDS Walk to make sure everything runs smoothly.

3
    The 5K AIDS Run is a Bolder Boulder qualifier.

4
    AIDS Walk Colorado went green in 2011 – for the first time employing the services of a local recycling company.

5
    The Diva Dash Stiletto Fun Run, added in 2010 and featuring both male and female runners, is half a kilometer – 1,461 feet.

6
    AIDS Walk Colorado used to be a 10K walk and changed to a 5K Walk to cut down production costs and add a qualifier 5K run.

7
    It takes a full year to plan and execute AIDS Walk, beginning September of the previous year – just after the last one ended.

8
    Any walker who raises $1,000 or more gets a crown to wear for the day. Stop and thank anyone you see wearing one!

9
   Other AIDS Service Organizations can raise funds and awareness through AIDS Walk as Partner Agencies.

10
    More than 300 teams representing churches, businesses and community groups from around the state participate in AIDS Walk.

11
    Each year, 20 Colorado-related panels of the National Memorial AIDS Quilt are displayed at the Walk.

12
    Timeline banners at the end of the Walk course illustrate milestones of the past 31 years of the AIDS epidemic.

13
    Mascots from Colorado’s professional and college sports teams make regular appearances at AIDS Walk. See if you can spot Miles (Broncos), Rocky the Mountain Lion (Nuggets), Dinger (Rockies), Rapid Man (Rapids), Wooly (Mammoth) and Ralphie (CU Boulder)!

14
    The pavilion in Cheesman Park houses the memorial garden that includes panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt and tribute banners from several years past. Tribute banners contain hand-written messages to loved ones who died of AIDS.

15
    The morning walk remembers those who have lost battles with AIDS. The afternoon Celebration of Life Festival, added in 2009, celebrates those still with us.

16
    The AIDS Walk Volleyball Tournament is run by the Colorado Gay Volleyball Association.

17
   High profile attendees have included Governor John Hickenlooper, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’s Kyan Douglas and casts of traveling plays and musicals.

18
    AIDS Awareness items are available for purchase including t-shirts, hoodies, hats and jewlery.

19
    The beer garden was added in 2008 when AIDS Walk Colorado turned 21years old.

20
    Kiddie Corner offers a variety of activities for young walkers including face painting, coloring projects, chalk board art, and a bubble tower, as well as animal visitors from Denver Zoo.

21
    The top fundraisers’ each of the 10 weeks before AIDS Walk can win prizes including concert tickets, hotel stays, dinners, rafting trips and more.

22
     Local businesses support AIDS Walk through in-kind donations for the run and diva dash competitors.

23
    The Mile High Freedom Band, steel drum bands, clarinet quartets and children’s choirs provide music along the walk’s route.

24
    Registered walkers who raise $100 or more receive the official commemorative AIDS Walk Colorado t-shirt.

25
    Both pets and families are welcome at the walk.