Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Colorado Nonprofit Development Center (CNDC)We are creating a long-overdue book honoring poetic legacy, and empowering future poets.
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We are heartbroken to share of the passing of our friend, colleague, and co-editor, Andrea Gibson.
Together, Andrea, Bobby LeFebre, Joseph Hutchison, David Mason, Mary Crow (all the living Colorado Poets Laureate) as well as Julia Seldin (Assistant Editor) and myself (editor) have been working for over two years to create this book, striving to increase access to poetry for more Coloradans. Now, with months before the publication of the book, we are grieving the loss of our beloved Andrea.
It goes without saying that Andrea was an incredible person. While creating this Anthology, and continuing to deal with their cancer, Andrea simultaneously released a hit documentary that has won awards at film festivals around the world. Most importantly, Andrea was a healing light in this world that gave hope and joy to suffering around the world. I know I am not alone in holding Andrea's writing close to my heart, almost as a form of therapy. Andrea had thousands of "friends" they never knew, people who followed them as a thought leader in pursuit of deeper feelings, deeper relationships.
We are honored to have had the opportunity to work with them for the past two years. Andrea cared about this project deeply, cared deeply about having a positive impact on their local community. And now it's our responsibility to carry their light forward.
We are planning to release Begin Where You Are: The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology this November. We look forward to sharing this work--Andrea's work--with the world. For now, we will take a moment to say goodbye to our friend.
Andrea, thank you. We love you.
-Turner Wyatt
Here is a nice article by the Colorado Sun about Andrea's passing:
https://coloradosun.com/2025/07/14/andrea-gibson-death-colorado-poet-laureate/
Begin Where You Are: The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology is a groundbreaking book featuring poetry from the ten individuals who have served as Colorado Poets Laureate. This anthology aims to compile their best works, including unpublished pieces, and use the profits from sales to fund poetry events in rural, lower-income schools and libraries. The project seeks to support the institution of the poet laureateship and create a collaborative model that other states can emulate.
In Colorado, lower income and rural communities have lower access to poetry and the literary arts. As a result, youth and adults in these areas have fewer opportunities to engage from this art form and the benefits of self expression. In fact, there are whole counties where not a single Colorado Poet Laureate has visited in 30 years! The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology will use a revenue-generating social enterprise to raise money to close this access gap. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
Andrea Gibson (Laureate 2023-2025) (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
Poetry remains popular among U.S. readers, and the increasing appointment of poets laureate in cities, towns, and states demonstrates a growing audience. This anthology hopes to pioneer a collaborative approach in honoring poets laureate, setting a precedent for similar projects nationwide. The book's development involves a committee comprised of the five contemporary Colorado poets laureate, each accomplished with a substantial literary background and accolades. In collaboration with social entrepreneur Turner Wyatt as the Project Director, the anthology brings together Colorado's best poets for a social mission.
Bobby LeFebre (Laureate 2019-2023)
In partnership with our publishers, University Press of Colorado and Center for Literary Publishing, a portion of the book's proceeds will contribute to supporting the Colorado Poet Laureate by establishing a fund, which will to provide grants to Colorado Poets Laureate, allowing them to attend poetry readings and events in lower income and rural schools and libraries. Additionally, the anthology presents an overdue opportunity to compile and publish a comprehensive collection of the laureates' works.
Joeseph Hutchison (Laureate 2014-2019)
This anthology will span over 100 years of Colorado's poetic history. Starting with the current Poet Laureate, Andrea Gibson, the book will traverse back in time to Alice Polk Hill in 1919. All five contemporary poets laureate, Andrea Gibson, Bobby LeFebre, Joseph Hutchinson, David Mason, and Mary Crow, have committed to foregoing their royalties, so all the proceeds will go to support our mission.
David Mason (Laureate 2010-2014)
Mary Crow (Laureate 1996-2010)
Furthermore, the anthology aims to highlight the works of the preceding five deceased poets laureate: Thomas Hornsby Ferril, Milford Shields, Clyde Robertson, Nellie Burget Miller, and Alice Polk Hill. The editorial committee plans to curate the best poems from these writers, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the poetic legacy from the inception of the Colorado laureateship.
Thomas Hornsby Ferril
(Laureate 1979-1988)Milford Shields (Laureate 1954)
Clyde Robertson (Laureate 1952-1954)
Nellie Burget Miller (Laureate 1923-1952)
Alice Polk Hill (Laureate 1919-1921)
The book's structure includes individual chapters for each laureate, featuring a brief historical and biographical introduction followed by a selection of their poems.
"Begin Where You Are: The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology” aims to celebrate the rich poetic tradition of Colorado by honoring past and present poets laureate while also increasing access to poetry for lower income and rural communities.