At Denver Pride, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. We are committed to creating a welcoming and secure environment for all attendees. Our dedicated team works diligently to ensure that everyone can celebrate with confidence and peace of mind.
This page is intended to provide guidance and common-sense approaches to safety during the festival and parade. Your personal responsibility and awareness are vital to your own safety and the safety of those around you.
Stay alert, be kind, and look out for one another. Pride is safer when we all show up for each other.
Public Safety at Denver Pride
- Colfax & Bannock
- Family Area on 14th near Broadway
Additionally, roaming medical response teams are available throughout the festival grounds to provide prompt assistance.
Denver Pride works with a coordinated team of private safety staffers, local responders, and state and federal partners, alongside our internal safety teams, to ensure an enjoyable environment for everyone.
We understand that the presence of uniformed personnel — particularly law enforcement — may cause discomfort for some members of our community, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. While we are required to maintain a limited presence of uniformed responders due to safety regulations in the City of Denver, our team is committed to ensuring these partnerships are used strategically, sparingly, and with community care at the forefront of our safety efforts.
We want to specifically acknowledge ongoing concerns related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Denver Police Department has confirmed they do not collaborate with ICE and are prohibited from sharing personal information regarding any individual’s immigration status. While tactical units from the Denver Police Department may be present during large-scale events in response to specific threats or large protests, they are not affiliated with ICE, even though their green uniforms may appear similar. Our focus remains on coordinated safety, centered on inclusion, not intimidation.
If you need assistance or feel uncomfortable, please speak with a volunteer or staff member wearing official credentials. We are here to ensure that everyone feels supported and protected while celebrating Pride.
We recognize that free speech and public expression are essential parts of this celebration. A Free Speech Zone will be designated within Civic Center Park to support those exercising their rights while maintaining the safety and enjoyment of the larger event. This area is a tool used by Denver Pride and other large festivals in the city to contain hostile speech within a restricted space. By using this tool, protesters attempting to spread anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment are isolated from our community and prevented from roaming throughout festival grounds.
Our goal is to uphold an individual’s First Amendment rights while also minimizing disruptions that may affect the wellbeing of our community. Violence, discrimination, hate speech, and targeted intimidation will not be tolerated at Denver Pride.
If you encounter protest activity during the event:
- Do not engage directly with individuals who are disruptive or confrontational.
- Stay calm and continue moving toward another part of the festival if you feel uncomfortable.
- Inform the nearest Pride staff member or volunteer, who can report to our central safety team.
- Remember, your safety and emotional wellbeing come first.
We take safety concerns seriously, whether shared in advance or in the moment.
If you see something that feels off, unsafe, or needs attention, here is how you can report it:
- Visit the Information Booth at The Center on Colfax Tent with any safety-related concerns or suggestions. This booth is located at the center of the festival at the end of Sponsor Row.
- If you come across online posts, rumors, or content that seem threatening, suspicious, or disruptive to the event, please contact us at development@lgbtqcolorado.org. Early awareness helps us better protect the community.
Do not second-guess it, if you see something, say something. Your voice helps keep our community safe.
- Lost and found items
- Reuniting with separated individuals
Our team is ready to help ensure that everyone stays connected and safe. To locate this, please reference maps on the website and around the festival.
Beat the Heat:
- Stay hydrated, use sunscreen, take breaks in the shade, and check on friends
In Case of Severe Weather:
- Announcements will be made.
- Attendees are responsible for seeking their own shelter.
- Shelter is not provided at the festival grounds or parade route.
- Be aware of your surroundings and make a plan to leave quickly if weather conditions become unsafe.
Your health and safety matter. Preparing for the elements helps everyone enjoy the celebration.
Here are some tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable experience:
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and take breaks in shaded areas. Only factory-sealed beverages are allowed into the festival. Water refill stations are available throughout Civic Center Park – specific locations can be found on the festival map.
- Plan ahead: Establish a meeting point with your group in case you get separated.
- Be aware: Familiarize yourself with the locations of exits, First Aid tents, and information booths.
- Report concerns: If you see something concerning, inform the nearest PrideFest staff member or volunteer.
- Respect others: Celebrate responsibly and be mindful of those around you.
At Denver Pride, we encourage an environment of having fun while being mindful of yourself and others. This includes the following:
- Know your limits when it comes to alcohol. Drink responsibly and be mindful of how you are feeling and how you are treating others.
- Bring factory-sealed water bottles with you. Only factory-sealed beverages are permitted at the festival.
- Water refill stations are available throughout the park.
- Eat throughout the day and take breaks in the shade as needed.
- Do not hesitate to ask for help – our volunteers and safety teams are here for you.