Andrea Gibson named Colorado’s ninth poet laureate

Boulderite Andrea Gibson was named Colorado’s ninth poet laureate Wednesday, a position in which they hope to “redirect awe, astonishment and wonder back into people.”

That’s “something we were born with, but culture takes out of us as we grow older,” Gibson said in a state news release. “I spent so much time writing about what was wrong with the world. Now I write about what I dream the world can be.”

Gibson — a queer activist, author and four-time Denver Grand Slam poetry champion — writes about the LGBTQ community, spirituality, feminism, mental health and gun reform, among other topics. Much of Gibson’s current work centers on their journey after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer two years ago.

Gov. Jared Polis announced Wednesday morning that Gibson will succeed Bobby LeFebre, who served as the state’s first poet laureate of color. Gibson will hold the title for two years.

“I want to come up with new and inventive ways to help a larger population fall in love and appreciate poetry,” Gibson said. “I want everyone to have a poem that they can go to, like you would with a song. Poetry can be the vehicle that allows us to know each other and expand humanity. That’s what I hope to help do with this role.”

Gibson has written six poetry collections and won numerous awards for their work, including the Independent Publishers Award. Gibson is also the author of a nonfiction book entitled “How Poetry Can Change Your Heart.”