Poetry Out Loud Competition

The Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT), and Lighthouse Writers Workshop announced today that PBS12 will air a documentary featuring Colorado’s state finals for Poetry Out Loud. This annual event was held on March 1, 2023 at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Thirteen students from 12 schools and organizations across Colorado performed poems live on stage to celebrate poetry.

Colorado Creative Industries announced in March 2022 that Aidyn Reid of Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs was named the 2022 Colorado Poetry Out Loud State Champion.

Aidyn Reid of Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs was named the 2021 Colorado Poetry Out Loud State Champion. Some of Reid’s earliest memories are of being read poetry by her mother. 

“When I was young, my mom would read me “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein, so I have only fond memories of prose like this,” said Reid. “I definitely find myself attracted to satirical work and even silly poetic work like Seuss.”

Colorado Creative Industries announced today that Kiya Cockrell of Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs has been named the 2020 Colorado Poetry Out Loud State Champion.

Jesca Gilbert of Valor Christian High School has been named the 2019 Colorado Poetry Out Loud champion. Ana Madrano of Thornton High School is first runner-up, and Nathan Zurfluh of Estes Park High School and Belinda Garrow of Fountain Valley School placed third and fourth, respectively.

Hannah Alexander of Niwot High School has been named the 2018 Colorado Poetry Out Loud champion. Tyler Ramos of Windsor High School is the runner-up.