Adams County Poet Laureate Program
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.
Upcoming Events
Adams County Poet Laureate Pop Up
Join Aerik for a series of poetry pop ups as they explore Anythink’s poetry collection and read poems amongst the shelves.
- Monday, Oct. 26
- 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Anythink Perl Mack | 7611 Hilltop Cir., Denver
Wearable Poetry with The Studio
Join Adams County Poet Laureate Aerik Francis and The Studio to create your own wearable poetry! Bring your own work or choose from your favorite poem and engrave it on a necklace, bracelet, dog tag, or keychain. Drop in any time during the program to create your masterpiece.
Appropriate for tweens, teens, and adults. No registration required.
- Thursday, Nov. 5
- 4-6 p.m.
- Anythink Community Center | 2211 Eppinger Blvd., Thornton
- Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027
- 4-6 p.m.
- Anythink Wright Farms | 5877 E. 120th Ave., Thornton
The Exchange
Join Adams County Poet Laureate Aerik Francis for an evening of inspiring performances and deep conversations exploring the relationships between different art forms, including textiles, film, photography, and poetry.
Where do these art forms differ, and where do they share commonalities? How can we explore other art forms to dive more deeply into our own?
All ages welcome. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.
- Friday, Nov. 13
- 5:30-8 p.m.
- Anythink Perl Mack |7611 Hilltop Cir., Denver
Ecopoetry Workshop with Aerik Francis
Ecopoetry can be about ecosystems, animals, agriculture, climate change, water and even food. This workshop will offer participants tools to write about the nature around us while asking deeper questions about our relationships among rapidly changing environments. Find inspiration in the natural spaces of the library and surrounding areas while writing and performing poetry in community.
Appropriate for teens and adults. This program will be hosted in English. Space is limited to 30 people; registration required. Click here to register.
- Saturday, Nov. 21
- 1-3 p.m.
- Anythink Nature Library | 6811 E. 136th Ave., Thornton
Adams County Poet Laureate Open Mic
Step up to the mic or cheer from the crowd!
Poets of all ages and experience levels are invited to share original works in a supportive, welcoming community space alongside the Adams County Poet Laureate.
- Thursday, Dec. 3
- 6-8 p.m.
- Anythink Brighton | 327 E. Bridge St., Brighton
Paws for Poetry with the Riverdale Animal Shelter
Join Adams County Poet Laureate Aerik Francis at the Riverdale Animal Shelter for a fun afternoon with our animal friends. Meet a variety of animals, learn their favorite poetry, and enjoy a poetry reading with Aerik Francis.
Space is limited; registration required. Appropriate for all ages.
- Wednesday, Dec. 16
- 1-1:45 p.m.
- 2-2:45 p.m.
- Anythink Commerce City | 7185 Monaco St., Commerce City
- Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2027
- 3:30-4:15 p.m.
- 4:30-5:15 p.m.
- Anythink Huron Street | 9417 Huron St., Thornton
Youth Open Mic
Step up to the mic or cheer from the crowd!
Youth poets of all experience levels are invited to share original work in a supportive, welcoming community space alongside the Adams County Poet Laureate. Stay tuned for more information!
- Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027
- 6-8 p.m.
- Anythink Brighton | 327 E. Bridge St., Brighton
About 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.
Former Adams County Poets Laureate
Kerrie Joy, Aug. 2023-Aug. 2025
Kerrie Joy is a poet, singer/songwriter, storyteller, educator, and revolutionary. She was the inaugural Adams County Poet Laureate from 2023-2025. She channels her creativity through poetry and artistic curation. As an organizer of ideas and a facilitator of critical thinking through her art, Kerrie hosted writing and performance workshops, open mics, and poetry slams, creating new pathways for Adams County artists to hone their craft and find community, from the urban fringe to our rural prairies. Beyond this residency, Kerrie continues to write, perform, and challenge herself as a master creator. She is currently pursuing her MFA at Randolph College.
For Those Who Dream By Day, A Community Anthology from Adams County, Colorado will be published late spring 2026.
Learn more about what Kerrie Joy is up to now at kerriejoy.com.
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 the 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.
Contact the Adams County Poet Laureate
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