Happy Pride! Q & A with One Colorado

June is Pride month, a time to celebrate, reflect, and recommit to the values of inclusion, equity, and belonging. For Good Business Colorado, that commitment isn't limited to the month of June, and neither is the work.

This month, we've had the joy of showing up for LGBTQIA+ communities across the state, from Pride celebrations in Salida earlier this month to Denver Pride festivities happening this weekend. These moments remind us why community matters, and why the connections between Colorado's small business community and the broader fight for equality are so important.

As part of our Pride Month celebration, we connected with Cal Solverson (they/them) of One Colorado, one of the state's leading LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations, to talk about what Pride means this year, what genuine allyship from the business community looks like, and what gives them hope as they look ahead. We think you'll find their answers as motivating as we did:

1. Tell us about your organization and what Pride Month means to you and your community this year.

One Colorado is the leading LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization in the state, working to progress the lived lives of queer Coloradans. The organization focuses on advocating for healthcare equity, supporting local schools and educators, and taking direct action at the capitol by backing pro-equality candidates and legislation.

This year, Pride Month is about remembering the history of the movement and using that history as motivation to keep fighting for the tomorrow every single Coloradan deserves, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or the traditions in which they were raised.

2. What does genuine allyship from Colorado's business community look like to you beyond a rainbow logo in June?

Genuine allyship from the business community shows up in varied and meaningful ways that directly uplift the community. I often think of:

Event and Initiative Sponsorship: Providing vital financial backing for core organizational events such as Lobby Day, Pink Party, or the Prism Awards.

Direct Engagement: Participating in community events, purchasing organizational merchandise, and making financial contributions.

Ultimately, when businesses support these events and initiatives, they are directly investing in and uplifting the broader LGBTQIA+ community.

3. Looking ahead, what gives you hope, and what's one concrete thing our readers or member businesses can do to support LGBTQIA+ Coloradans year-round?

Hope stems from the core values of Coloradans, who consistently demonstrate that they value freedom, equity, diversity, and choice. There is strong confidence that Colorado voters will make the right choice this fall when facing anti-trans ballot measures, as they have continually proven their willingness to show up for the LGBTQIA+ community.

One concrete thing readers and businesses can do year-round: Support One Colorado's year-round community advocacy, healthcare equity, and education initiatives by financially sponsoring or attending major organizational events like Lobby Day, Pink Party, and the Prism Awards.