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 Adams County Poet Laureate Aerik Francis as they hit the road with the Anythink Bookmobile! Aerik will explore Anythink’s poetry collection and read from selected works. Stop by and enjoy an afternoon of poetry. Suitable for all ages.
- Wednesday, Sept. 23
- 3-4 p.m.
- Anythink Bookmobile | Northcreek Farms
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 Aerik and The Studio to create your own wearable poetry! Bring your own work or choose your favorite poem and engrave it on a variety of materials. Appropriate for tweens, teens, and adults.
- Thursday, Nov. 5
- 4-6 p.m.
- Anythink Thornton Community Center | 2211 Eppinger Blvd., 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 Pearl Mack |7611 Hilltop Cir., Denver
Ecopoetry Workshop with Aerik Francis
Whether you’re exploring ecosystems, animals, agriculture, climate change, water, or food, this workshop will offer tools to write about the world around us while asking deeper questions about our relationships among rapidly changing environments. Come explore the beautiful new library, find inspiration, and write poems in community.
Registration is required for this event and will open in October. Check back for more information.
- 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
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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