Southern Colorado, Denver Juneteenth Festivals Scale Back Amid Funding Cuts

Both Colorado Springs and Denver's Juneteenth festivals have faced significant funding challenges this year due to cuts in financial support, particularly from corporate sponsors. In Colorado Springs, the Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival was nearly canceled after citywide event funding cuts, but community donations and local businesses, including Citadel Mall, stepped in to secure a new venue and ensure the festival's continuation. Meanwhile, Denver's Juneteenth Music Festival, a major celebration traditionally held over two days, has been scaled back to a single day amid a more than 60% drop in sponsorship, which organizers attribute in part to shifting corporate priorities and rollbacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The JMF Corporation, which runs Denver's event, is now seeking $80,000 through community fundraising to keep the festival free and maintain its core activities, including live performances, a parade, and a showcase of Black-owned businesses. Despite these setbacks, organizers in both cities emphasize the resilience and commitment of their communities to honoring Juneteenth and the legacy of Black liberation. These challenges reflect broader trends affecting cultural festivals nationwide, as philanthropic and corporate support for diversity-focused events becomes increasingly uncertain.