Aid for AIDS

The AIDS battle never ends, even if the issue has slipped from the forefront of national attention as the disease continues to spread around the world. For the Colorado AIDS Project’s Michael Lee, that’s where the real battle lies in modern times, especially when planning another Colorado AIDS Walk and Run. “Since the late ’90s, there’s been a slide in attendance, as well as in the amount of money raised,” Lee says. “As a result, we wanted to evolve the event to renew the public’s interest.”

To that end, this year’s event in Cheesman Park - the walk’s 22nd incarnation and the run’s fourth - will sport some new features, including a volleyball tournament. Still, the biggest change lies in how walkers will spend their time after the urban fundraising trek: Instead of going home or “for drinks at Dixons,” as Lee jokes, the party will continue with a Celebration of Life in the park, which will feature two beer gardens, live music and food vendors. “Our goal is to capture that great community energy the AIDS Walk inspires and to keep it going in the park after the walk is over,” he says. And as the only event that’s allowed to sell beer in Cheesman Park, Lee adds, the party should keep that energy flowing.

The opening ceremony is at 9 a.m., and the action continues until 4 p.m. There’s a $30 registration fee if you choose to participate in the run. You can walk for free - but, as Lee notes, it only takes five minutes to send an e-mail to your friends asking for pledges, which benefit AIDS prevention and services. For more information, visit www.AIDSwalkcolorado.org or call 303-861-WALK.
Sat., Aug. 15, 9 a.m., 2009