Northglenn council reverses course, directs staff to restore June Pride event after public feedback

Northglenn Mayor Heidi and a majority of the City Council directed staff to restore a Northglenn-hosted Pride festival for the first Saturday in June 2025 after several residents urged the council to keep the event local.

The move follows public comment from residents including Chris Cimino, who spoke during the meeting's public-comment period, saying the local event provides a visible message of support and safety: "Keeping bridal here sends a message that Northglenn supports and loves you." Cimino told council he and his family have experienced name-calling in public and that a local Pride event provides an important, affirming space for LGBTQ+ residents and youth.

Why it matters: Council members who supported restoration said the event signals the city's commitment to inclusion and community safety, particularly for residents who told council they feel vulnerable following recent national political developments. Supporters also said the event has local value beyond its single-day duration and can be more accessible for youth and residents who rely on neighborhood gatherings.

Council discussion and direction: The council reopened the item after receiving additional resident feedback asking for clearer communication and more transparent decision-making. Council member Goff, who recalled Northglenn hosting the first Pride event in Adams County years ago, said the festival "is a really good educational community outreach kind of a program." Several council members also noted staff had confirmed budget funding for a local event remains available.

After a round of comments, the mayor conducted a roll call on whether to restore a Northglenn Pride event. Council members Nowicki, Goff, the mayor pro tem, Roper, Kondo, Jaramillo, Burns and others registered support; the mayor said that direction to staff would be implemented. Staff reported they had discussed scheduling with Adams County in prior coordination meetings and that Adams County had agreed to a separate date so the two events would not conflict going forward.

What the city will do next: Council directed staff to proceed with planning a local Pride festival for the first Saturday in June 2025, and to coordinate logistics and schedule with Adams County so county and city events do not overlap. Council also asked staff to involve the DICE (Diversity, Inclusion, Culture and Equity) board and community groups in planning, and to keep the council informed about public-safety arrangements.

Context: The discussion revisited an earlier decision made during a strategic-planning review in which council had explored consolidating some city events with county efforts to reduce staff workload and concentrate resources. That discussion prompted public concern that Northglenn had withdrawn local support for Pride. Council members said the reversal responds directly to resident feedback and to the city's stated values of inclusion.

Quotes from meeting participants are taken from the public comment and council discussion recorded on the meeting transcript.