Juneteenth celebration in Colorado Springs is losing support
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This weekend's Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival is moving indoors after the city of Colorado Springs cut its financial backing and increased the price for park permits.
Why it matters: Municipalities and sponsors are reevaluating their support for DEI causes, including the holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S., AP reports.
State of play: This year's local commemoration takes place at the Norris Penrose Event Center on Saturday and Sunday, and smaller crowds than in previous years are expected.
- The nonprofit organizer, One Body Ent, lost half its funding from the city, and the price to reserve the America the Beautiful Park increased to $5,000 a day, the Gazette reports.
- About five companies are sponsors, said Jennifer Smith, an organizer with One Body Ent. In prior years, dozens of corporate sponsors supported the event.
What they're saying: "They have said their budgets have been cut because of DEI," and that they can no longer afford it, Smith told the AP.
Flashback: The Springs' Juneteenth celebration in 2021 drew 1,800 people for three days, far exceeding expectations.
- By 2024, it attracted 36,000 people.
- A move to The Citadel mall in 2025 led to a smaller crowd of 22,000.
What to expect: This year's indoor event features more than 60 vendors, music and kids activities, as well as a fashion show and car rally.
The bottom line: "We don't want to give up on it," Smith told the Gazette. "We want people to know it's important."