On Tuesday, April 21, Fort Collins City Hall became, briefly, a house of poetry.
Mayor Emily Francis issued a proclamation recognizing National Poetry Month on behalf of the City of Fort Collins, a moment that brought together an exceptional gathering of Northern Colorado’s literary community. Thomas Ivory Jr., Co-founder of the GuloGulo Poetry Collective, accepted the proclamation. The occasion was graced by a reading from Mary Crow, former Poet Laureate for the State of Colorado and CSU Professor Emerita, who read Regalo by Jorge Teillier, from her own translation of From the Country of Nevermore.
The room held a remarkable cross-section of the region’s literary life. Among those present: Larry “Booger” Holgerson, 20+ year host of Booger’s Poetry Slam and GuloGulo Board Member; Mary Ellen Sanger, Associate Director of the Community Literacy Center and Program Coordinator for the CSU English Department; Erica Reid, 2025 Pushcart Prize winner; CSU Professor Sasha Steenson; Chloé Leisure, former Fort Collins Poet Laureate and community poet; and several dedicated members of the Collective. Representatives from Wolverine Farm, GuloGulo’s home, were there in spirit.
GuloGulo extends deep thanks to Mayor Francis, the Fort Collins City Council, and the City Team, with particular gratitude to the Clerk’s Office for their warmth and support in making the event possible. We also want to recognize local poet Lorrie Wolfe, whose advocacy and outreach help connect Northern Colorado poets to opportunities to perform, learn, and gather together. Her work quietly sustains this community.
Poetry belongs to everyone. Thank you, Fort Collins, for saying so out loud.
