Denver Westword | The Leading Independent News Source in Denver, Colorado

A comedian speaks into a microphone onstage.

Boulder Comedy Festival Returns This Week With Big Laughs and a Bigger Purpose

By Toni Tresca

Jun 23, 2025

The fifth annual Boulder Comedy Festival brings inclusive comedy to Boulder County with 37 performers and a mission to uplift all voices.

Mara and Patrick Tcheunou wearing white aprons in their chocolate kitchen

Sweet: Bibamba Produces and Promotes Slave-Free Chocolate

By Abigail Bliss

Jun 17, 2025

“We want to only support people who choose to be in the industry and make sure they're taken care of.”

People sit around a table working together to assemble Kynd Kits.

Drag Bingo Meets Volunteer Power in Project Helping Pride Event

By Toni Tresca

Jun 12, 2025

Celebrate Pride with drag bingo, Jell-O shots and direct action by making a Kynd Kit at Hamburger Mary’s on June 15.

One Fair Wage and restaurants committing to paying fair wages.

One Fair Wage Rewards Five Denver Restaurants and Eateries

By Gil Asakawa

May 15, 2025

"Recognizing (my team) with a living wage was the number one thing as part of my business plan."

Three soups from Ch'il Indigenous Foods featuring Native ingredients

Ch'il Indigenous Foods Reclaims Culture by Cultivating and Cooking Traditional Plants

By Abigail Bliss

Apr 29, 2025

“Colonization sought to sever our relationship with the land. I want to give that back.”

Conference on World Affairs Tackles Topics Like AI, Oligarchy and Censorship

By Kristen Fiore

Apr 1, 2025

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo is the 2025 CWA keynote speaker.

Bright Eyes' Mike Mogis, Conor Oberst, Nate Walcott are pictured sitting at a red table

Bright Eyes Is Still Glowing Bright in Dim Times

By Brendan Joel Kelley

Mar 27, 2025

The indie/emo band launched its Poison Oak Project, a charity focused on the trans community, in the wake of Trump's election.

A boy stands while a woman is raised by a crowd behind him.

Inside Aurora Fox's Inclusive Take on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

By Toni Tresca

Mar 25, 2025

"I hope that this play will loosen fears people have about the disabled community."

Four women pose together in the Grand Canyon.

No Man’s Land Film Festival Celebrates Ten Years of Breaking Barriers

By Toni Tresca

Mar 5, 2025

“Every year, we’re adding more to the programming to make it bigger, brighter and more inclusive."

Colorado Is Tackling Air Pollution in Vulnerable Neighborhoods by Regulating Five Air Toxics

By Jenni Shearston

Mar 1, 2025

The state is taking a major step to protect people from air pollutants that cause cancer or other major health problems,

Denver Police Accused of Cover-Up After SWAT Raided Wrong Address

By Michael Roberts

Feb 25, 2025

The actual target of the team lived across the hall.

Black woman stands in front of two paintings.

Black Futures in Art: The Space Between Us Transforms the Dairy Arts Center

By Toni Tresca

Jan 18, 2025

In this third exhibit, Adderly Grant-Lord invites viewers to confront the unseen spaces within us all.

Denver People's March on Saturday Inspired by 2017 Women's March

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jan 17, 2025

The January 18 protest grew out of experiences at the Women's March eight years ago and resources left behind by its organizers.

The Thirty Extremist Groups Still Active in Colorado

By Hannah Metzger

Jan 3, 2025

Hate groups are declining in Colorado after 2019's peak, but dozens of extremist organizations still operate in the state.

The three members of the Velveteers standing together

Boulder Band Features Members of Black Keys, Cage the Elephant on New Song

By Jason Heller

Dec 20, 2024

The Velveteers, one of Colorado's fiercest bands, have released the music video for "On and On," which rages against misogyny.

Native Truths: Danielle SeeWalker Blurs the Lines Between Art and Activism

By Emily Ferguson

Nov 27, 2024

"To me, there's not a fine or hard line drawn between the two," says the artist.

Mile High Writers Share Their Stance on Social Justice in New Collection

By Teague Bohlen

Oct 18, 2024

Authors will read from We Can See into Another Place: Mile-High Writers on Social Justice at the Bookies on Friday, October 25.

Incarcerated Colorado Musicians Are Highlighted in New Documentary and Album

By Justin Criado

Oct 15, 2024

The nonprofit label FREER Records has released a documentary that goes behind the scenes of making an album with Colorado inmates.

ACLU Sues Vail for Removing Native Artist Danielle SeeWalker From Residency

By Emily Ferguson

Oct 14, 2024

Danielle SeeWalker was removed from the Art in Public Places program because community members were "upset" over a painting of hers called "G for Genocide."

A Metro Caring volunteer stocking shelves at its charitable market

Metro Caring Has Been Fighting to End Hunger for Fifty Years

By Abigail Bliss

Sep 16, 2024

“Hunger is a policy choice. To prevent it, we have to invest in policies that guarantee affordable housing, adequate public benefits and thriving wages."

Social Justice

Miscarriage of Justice: Trump’s War on Pregnant Migrants

Dystopian Times Channels Eco-Socialist Activism

Social Justice

Miscarriage of Justice: Trump’s War on Pregnant Migrants

Dystopian Times Channels Eco-Socialist Activism

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