A new poetry anthology features works from all of Colorado’s poets laureate, with all proceeds going to an endowment supporting the future of the poet laureate program.
The book, titled “Begin Where You Are,” includes work from all 10 of Colorado’s poets laureate spanning 100 years, including never-before-published work from beloved artist Andrea Gibson — the most recent poet laureate, who died in July from ovarian cancer.
The collection is the first-ever U.S. state poet laureate anthology.
“Poets laureate play a unique and important role uplifting arts and culture in Colorado,” said Colorado Creative Industries Director Josh Blanchard in a news release. “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.”
CCI is a division of the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Besides Gibson, the book will also debut unpublished works from Bobby LeFebre, Joseph Hutchison, David Mason and Mary Crow.
The new book is selling for $45 in hardcover, $19.95 in paperback and $16.95 as an e-book. It’s available for preorder now through coloradopoets.org.
In April, Colorado Humanities, the state’s only nonprofit dedicated to public humanities education and programming, sounded the alarm about potential closure following a loss of federal funding from President Donald Trump’s administration. The nonprofit noted the poet laureate program was at risk.
The endowment created by book sales will provide additional funding, allowing future poets laureate to visit rural communities, schools and libraries across the state, the news release said.
“The poet laureate is a statewide position, advocating for the literary arts in Colorado,” said Eve Lieberman, the executive director of the state economic development office, in the release. “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.”
A free launch party for the anthology, featuring book signings, poetry readings and refreshments, is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Petals & Pages Bookstore, 956 Santa Fe Drive in Denver. To register for the event, visit coloradopoets.org.
Nominations for the state’s 11th poet laureate are being reviewed now with an announcement expected in early 2026, the news release said.