June 22, 2023

Embracing Pride: Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community in Colorado Springs

Wild Goose Meeting House

Colorado Springs is a city known for its breathtaking landscapes, friendly communities, and an ever-growing diverse and dynamic population. As June rolls in, so does Pride Month — a time of vibrant celebration, reflection, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. Let’s explore the inclusive spirit blooming in Colorado Springs and discover some of the thriving LGBTQ-owned and LGBTQ-friendly businesses that make Pride Month every month in the Pikes Peak Region. 

LGBTQ+ Businesses  

A growing community of LGBTQ-owned businesses offer an abundance of options to support Pride in Colorado Springs — from bookstores to salons to gyms.  

  • Icons: Josh Franklin and John Wolfe, two former Broadway stars, opened Icons in 2020 — a gay piano bar in downtown Colorado which celebrates icons in the LGBTQ community through artwork, live music, and weekly events like drag bingo and trivia night.  
  • Club Q: For many years, Club Q was the only LGBTQ night club in Colorado Springs. The club has stood strong even after enduring the unthinkable mass shooting in late 2022, supported by the local community and agencies like Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and the Colorado Healing Fund.  
  • Poor Richard’s Bookstore: Owned by Richard Skorman and operated by a staff of which nearly half identify as members of the LGBTQ community, Poor Richard’s and its affiliate businesses have offered a diverse selection of books, toys, coffees, and teas since 1975. 
  • Montage Downtown (MODO) Salon and Eden Salon & Barber Shop don’t just offer hairstyles that fit your unique personality, but an inclusive and welcoming community for all.  
  • Nexus Community Fitness: Partners Ashley Coffey and Marielle Hendry are co-owners of Nexus — an inclusive fitness and performance training gym in Colorado Springs. With a holistic approach that prioritizes both mind and body, Nexus empowers individuals of diverse backgrounds and abilities to unlock their fullest potential.  
  • Ladyfingers Letterpress: Using the power of the press to promote women’s, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and immigrant rights, the Queer and Trans-owned Ladyfingers Letterpress has become a world-recognized customer stationary and greeting card business.  

Local Support for the LGBTQ+ Community 

Organizations throughout the Pikes Peak region work together to build a stronger Pride community. Whether you’re seeking a family for spiritual strength or mental health services, Colorado Springs offers support for individuals and businesses.  

  • PFLAG Colorado Springs: The Colorado Springs chapter of the nationwide PFLAG organization offers a safe environment to discuss challenges the Pride community faces. Their next in-person meeting will be held on June 20th.  
  • Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church: Pikes Peak Community Church has been fostering an inclusive spiritual community and providing unwavering support for individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations since 1979.  
  • Inside Out Youth Center: Since the early 1990s, the nonprofit Inside Out Youth Center has worked to create a safe space for LGBTQIA2+ youth between the ages of 13-24 in the El Paso County region.  
  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Resource Center: UCCS MOSAIC and LGBTQ resource center provides leadership development training and a welcoming and affirming community for lesbian gay, bisexual, trans, and queer individuals. Recognized as an LGBTQ-friendly campus in 2022 by Campus Pride, UCCS has demonstrated its commitment to creating safer and more inclusive learning environments for all students.  

Colorado Springs is a welcoming city for the LGBTQ community and its allies, with a diverse array of LGBTQ-owned business to support all year long. The Chamber & EDC celebrates the growing diversity of our city and is committed to advancing an inclusive environment. If you are interested in starting a business in the Pikes Peak region, contact us for more information.