Colorado Poet Laureate

What
The Colorado Poet Laureate honors an outstanding poet in our state, and supports his or her efforts to promote an appreciation of poetry throughout Colorado. The Colorado Poet Laureate will serve for a four-year term. He or she will give at least eight public presentations per year, including events at the State Capitol, schools, libraries and literary festivals. Colorado Humanities and the Colorado Council on the Arts will assist community hosts with scheduling such events.

Colorado became one of the first states to have a Poet Laureate when Alice Polk Hill was appointed by Governor Oliver Shoup in 1919. Since then, five others have served:

• Nellie Burget Miller (1923-1952)
• Margaret Clyde Robertson (1952-1954)
• Milford E. Shields (1954)
• Thomas Hornsby Ferril (1979-1988)
• Mary Crow (1996-present)

Governor Bill Ritter will announce the next Colorado Poet Laureate shortly. A panel convened last fall to review nominations and make recommendations to the Governor. Panel members included representatives selected by Colorado Humanities, Colorado Council on the Arts, the Governor's office and others.  

Why
To promote an appreciation of poetry in Colorado and to honor outstanding Colorado poets.

Where
The next Colorado Poet Laureate will present poetry readings and events throughout Colorado during his or her four-year term.

When
Hosts in communities will set the schedule for events with the Poet Laureate.