Poetry Out Loud Colorado

05/01/2026

04/30/2026

04/29/2026

DB Henderson gave a passionate performance of his poems at the National Poetry Out Loud Competition, where he made it to the top 8 in the semi-regionals. Through he didn’t advance to the Finals, he proudly represented Colorado and Coronado High School - Colorado Springs District 11 in this year's competition! Thanks DB!!

04/28/2026

Join us tomorrow from 5-8pm EST for the Live Stream of the National Poetry Out Loud semi-finals as state champion DB Henderson represents Colorado! Watch live and cheer him on.
Live Stream: https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/poetry-out-loud

Sending a round of applause over to Colorado for their 2026 state champion DB Henderson! 👏👏👏

DB will join our other state & jurisdictional champions at the National Finals, where they will compete for the National Champion title and the $20,000 grand prize.

Stay tuned for more details! ✨🎙

04/20/2026

In celebration of National Poetry Month, check out an article written about Poetry Out Loud state winner, DB Henderson, and his journey to compete at the National Poetry Out Loud Competition in Washington, D.C.

“I foamed — I raved — I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder — louder — louder!” It was this initial exposure to the classic Edgar Allan Poe short story, “The Tell-...

03/18/2026

Sending a round of applause over to Colorado for their 2026 state champion DB Henderson! 👏👏👏

DB will join our other state & jurisdictional champions at the National Finals, where they will compete for the National Champion title and the $20,000 grand prize.

Stay tuned for more details! ✨🎙

03/04/2026

Join me in congratulating DB Henderson from Coronado High School - Colorado Springs District 11 as this year's Poetry Out Loud State Champion! DB will represent Colorado at the National Poetry Out Loud Competition in Washington, D.C., April 27-29, 2026. Our second place winner was Kavilaya Gokulagiridaran from Peak to Peak Charter School and 3rd Place Winner Dallin Wightman from Liberty Tree Academy. We'd also like to congratulate Selma Abdalla from DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School as the State Winner and Emily Mobley from Fort Morgan High School as the 2nd place winner for Poetry Ourselves. We'd like to thank Colorado Creative Industries, Empowered, Ltd. for presenting this year's competition and all our 15 state finalists for bringing poetry to life as well as our our panel of judges and Emcee Jozer Guerrero! Crisosto Apache Ashley Cornelius Meca'Ayo Cole Daniels Furious Bukari. Our sponsors Adams County Poet Laureate and Sacred Voices

03/02/2026

2026 Poetry Out Loud Colorado State Finals!!

03/01/2026

GOOD LUCK, STATE FINALISTS!
Join us in wishing our 15 state finalists good luck as they bring bring the words of great poets to life and celebrate poetry! The state winner will then go on to represent Colorado at the National Finals in Washington, D.C., April 27-29, 2026!