Walk the Walk

In its 27th year, the Colorado AIDS Walk’s goals haven’t changed a bit, though we hear less about AIDS/HIV in the news and, at least in the U.S., fewer people die from the disease. But it hasn’t gone away, says Colorado AIDS Project spokesman Jeff Trujillo.

“The biggest thing we really want to convey is that AIDS is a disease that’s still with us, and it’s not just happening in Africa and other countries,” he notes. “We’ve actually seen a rise in infections again in a younger age group that doesn’t remember what it was like in the beginning. It’s not over, and we’re now taking care of more people for a longer time.” That means that every penny raised at the annual event goes toward providing services for nearly 7,000 clients statewide.

The goal of this year’s walk remains the same, but the event itself has grown over the years and now includes the 5K walk and run, an after-race Celebration of Life Festival with refreshments, live music, speakers, a display of AIDS Memorial Quilt panels, and — perhaps best of all — the .5K Diva Dash Stiletto Fun Run, which challenges runners to teeter over the finish line in six-inch heels. Hey, it’s for a good cause.

The AIDS Walk and accompanying events commence at 7:30 a.m. and go through 2 p.m. at Cheesman Park, Eighth Avenue and Franklin Street. Walking is free, though pledges are welcome; runners pay $30. For registration and more information, go to aidswalk-colorado.org or call 303-861-9255.

Sat., Aug. 16, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 2014