Skip to Content
Adams County, CO logo

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.

Credit: Nikki A. Rae Photography
Person performing poetry.

Upcoming Events

Adams County Pride

See Adams County Poet Laureate Aerik Francis perform live at the Gazebo Stage at Adams County Pride! Find more information on Adams County Pride here!

  • Saturday, June 13
  • Event time: Noon-6 p.m.
  • Aerik Francis performance time: 3-3:30 p.m.
  • Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Rd., Brighton

Open Mic at Reunion Coffee House

Join Adams County Poet Laureate Aerik Francis for their quarterly open mic.

Poets of all ages, abilities, and experience levels are invited to share original work in this supportive community space at Reunion Coffee House.

  • Thursday, August 13
  • 6-8 p.m.
  • 10601 Reunion Pkwy., Commerce City
Photo from Poet Laureate event.
Photo from Poet Laureate event.
Photo from Poet Laureate event.
Photo from Poet Laureate event.
Photo from Poet Laureate event.
Photo from Poet Laureate event.

Connect with Aerik Francis

Aerik FrancisAerik 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.

Learn More
Interested in engaging with the Poet Laureate? Please fill out the form below to submit your request.
Type of Request(Required)
Kerrie Joy

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.

ARTFULLY ADAMS NEWSLETTER

Be the first to know about all things cultural arts in Adams County, including artist opportunities, public events, and ways to get involved in your community. The Artfully Adams newsletter is delivered to your inbox every other month.

Subscribe