Gunnison Valley Pride celebrates fifth year with biggest lineup yet

What started five years ago with two queer women and a belief that this valley deserved a celebration of its own has grown into what organizers are calling “one of the region’s most joyful community events.” Gunnison Valley Pride returns June 7–13 for its fifth annual Pride Week — its biggest, most ambitious year yet.

“Pride is the opposite of shame — and I know shame,” said Alex Stefan, co-founder and executive director of Gunnison Pride. “I am a survivor of conversion therapy. It contracted me, isolated me, and taught me to hide from myself and my community. We built Gunnison Valley Pride to do the opposite. Pride is an invitation — to expand, to be seen, to bring every part of yourself into the light. Because shame dies in the light.”                                         

Pride Week events

Here are summaries of the upcoming events:

Drag Brunch at The Dive | Sunday, June 7 | $50 | Tickets at gunnisonvalleypride.org

For the third year running, Drag Brunch at The Dive a big draw and the event sells out every single time. Professional queens from Denver descend on Crested Butte for a full morning of performance, pageantry, and a complete breakfast buffet. $50 gets you a seat and a full plate. Tickets are available at gunnisonvalleypride.org. This event is for those 18 and over..

Pride Film at the Majestic Theatre | Thursday, June 11

Presented in partnership with the Majestic Theatre, this year’s Pride Film is a carefully kept secret — but organizers describe it as an Oscar-nominated love story about two poets, an incurable diagnosis and the heartbreaking, humorous business of being alive. One of Gunnison Valley Pride’s own founders appears on screen. “Come see what cathedral worlds build in each other’s hearts,” the organization says. Tickets by donation. The Majestic Theater is located at 507 Red Lady Avenue in Crested Butte.

The Valley’s First Local Drag Show | Friday, June 12

For the first time in the valley’s history, local drag artists will take the stage for a full-length immersive drag show as part of Gunnison Valley Pride, and held at the Gunnison Arts Center, 102 S. Main Street in Gunnison. The show marks both a debut performance and a Pride Week premiere. Attendees are encouraged to come in drag. The event is for those 18 and over. Tickets are available at gunnisonvalleypride.org in advance for $15 and $20 at the door.

5th Annual Pride Picnic | Saturday, June 13

The Pride Picnic — the beloved centerpiece of Gunnison Valley Pride — returns for its fifth year with live music from Julian Young, local food and vendor booths, face paint, bubbles, a doggie fashion show, wig snatching, lip sync competitions and more. Always free and family friendly. All ages. Dogs welcome. The picnic will be held in Legion Park in Gunnison from noon to 3 pm.

About Gunnison Valley Pride

Gunnison Valley Pride is a community-led celebration of queer joy, radical inclusion and the belief that every member of this valley deserves to be seen, celebrated and welcomed exactly as they are. Founded in 2022 by Alex Stefan and Malia Jones of Crested Butte, the organization produces annual Pride events entirely by and for the Gunnison Valley community. Stefan serves as the High School Social Emotional Learning Coordinator for Gunnison County and co-authored the Gender and Sexuality Alliance handbook for Australia. Jones is the founder of event production company Brass Tact Ltd and has produced live events from SXSW to the Crested Butte Wine + Food Festival.
All ticketed events are fundraisers for local gender and safety alliances for youth. For event details and schedules, visit gunnisonvalleypride.org.