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Adams County Poet Laureate

In collaboration with Anythink Libraries, the Adams County Poet Laureate residency is breaking down barriers to poetry in our community and amplifying voices that too often go unheard.

Through performances, workshops and events, and original works inspired by their residency, this program is bringing poetry and the literary and performance arts to the Adams County community.

The current Poet Laureate, Aerik Francis, is a celebrated poet, teaching artist, and literary organizer deeply connected to Colorado’s creative community. Aerik’s vision for their residency is simple: Conversations.

Adams County Poet Laureate event with audience seated outdoors, featuring collaboration between Adams County Colorado and Anythink

Connect with Aerik Francis

Aerik Francis (they/he) is a Queer Black and Latinx poet & teaching artist based in Denver, Colorado, USA. Francis is the author of the chapbooks BODYPOLITIC (forthcoming Spring 2026 with Abode Press), MISEDUCATION (May 2023, New Delta Review), and BODYELECTRONIC (April 2022, Trouble Department). They have received poetry fellowship support from SAFTA, the Chrysalis Institute, CantoMundo, and The Watering Hole. They are also a poetry reader for Underblong poetry journal and have poetry published widely.

Upcoming Events

Photo of Aerik
Photo by Nikki A. Rae Photography

National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, and Adams County Poet Laureate Aerik Francis is bringing exciting programming all month long. Check back soon for more details!

Former Adams County Poets Laureate

Kerrie Joy, Aug. 2023 – Aug. 2025

DSCF1192.jpg smiling person against orange backdrop, hands near face, wearing patterned shirt

The Adams County Poet Laureate residency is a collaboration between Adams County and Anythink Libraries.

Aiming to make poetry accessible to all in our communities, the vision of Adams County Poet Laureate Residency is to spark civic dialogue, amplify voices we do not often hear, break down barriers between our community and poetry as an art form, and enrich the lives of Adams County residents.

Adams County Colorado logo with fields and mountains, anythink logo with orange swirl


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