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Denver Pride Artist Designed Merch Contest (2026)

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Deadline: Mar 30, 2026 11:59 pm (GMT-06:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)
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Denver Pride 2026
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Date: Jun 01, 2026 12:00 am - Jun 30, 2026 11:59 am (MDT)
place
1301 E Colfax Ave, Denver, Colorado 80218, United States
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Free

About the event

Denver Pride brings together over half a million people annually each June in joy and protest. It is one of the top five pride celebrations in the country and the largest pride organized by a community center. This month-long activation of the city is a crucial fundraiser for The Center on Colfax, Denver’s LGBTQ+ community center for the past 50 years. We serve thousands each year through peer programs, social groups, and youth outreach. Today, we face a growing wave of challenges: from hateful rhetoric nationwide to shifting policies, strained resources, and a shrinking number of safe spaces that are driving many to seek refuge in Colorado. Denver Pride helps The Center remain a lifeline, a beacon, and a gathering place for our expanding community. Through Pride, we are able to meet today’s urgent needs while building the foundation for what comes next. Together, we are sparking a revolution.
The Center on Colfax
The Center on Colfax
Contact Organizer
The Center on Colfax
The Center on Colfax
Contact Organizer

About the application

Overview 

Denver Pride 2026 aims to amplify the work of local queer artists to create vibrant, limited-edition merch that reflects and celebrates the diversity of our community. This contest will highlight local creativity and result in merch that feels meaningful, collectible, and distinctly Denver. We will select one artist’s design for Denver Pride and we strongly encourage submissions from BIPOC, trans, nonbinary, disabled, and historically marginalized artists. 

 

Contest Winner Award*

  • A small version of your logo and name will be featured on the front of the t-shirt near the bottom of or within your design. Please note that the Denver Pride logo would also be on the t-shirt, either on the back or on the sleeve.
  • Your work and brand will be highlighted across Denver Pride platforms (social media, website, etc.) and would be visible at various Denver Pride events, from PrideFest to our smaller, curated events throughout the month of June. The design may also be displayed on 16th Street in the Gayborhood Marketplace.
  • Denver Pride will cover production and sales costs.
  • The artist(s) selected will receive an award of $1,000

*Please note: This is our first year featuring artist-designed merchandise. As we launch this new initiative, we may refine the model in future years. 

 

SEE ATTACHED CONTEST PACKET FOR SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS 

 

Timeline:  

 

  • Call for artists opens: March 5th  
  • Submission deadline: March 30th  
  • Selection notification date: April 3rd  
  • Final design approval deadline: April 10th  

Terms & Conditions

Submission Requirements 

  • A short artist bio, link to social media accounts, link to website
  • Each artist can submit up to 3 designs for each application
  • Designs should be submitted as vector, full size .ai or .pdf
  • Designs must be original and new
  • Your design can include your logo, but it should be small and placed either within the design or at the bottom corner of the design. 

 

PLEASE SEE CONTEST PACKET FOR T-SHIRT DESIGN PARAMETERS

Related files

CONTEST PACKET DENVER PRIDE ARTIST-DESIGNED MERCH (2026)

Questions on the application

User information

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Email

Additional information

  • Which color(s) do you suggest this shirt is printed on? Please write the color name from the website.
  • Please share your name, pronouns, and business name (if you have one)
  • Please provide a short artist bio.
  • Please share a bit about your connection to the LGBTQ+ community and why you're entering this contest.
  • Please provide links to your social media accounts and a link to your website (if you have one)
  • Please attach your logo (if available)
  • Please attach your original designs as vector, full size .ai or .pdf.
  • OPTIONAL: If submitting multiple design files, pease attach an addition design as vector, full size .ai or .pdf.
  • OPTIONAL: If submitting multiple design files, pease attach an addition design as vector, full size .ai or .pdf.
  • Do you think your design would look best on a classic t-shirt or a "ringer" shirt (see links in description and attached documents).
  • Please confirm that you have thoroughly reviewed the attached contest packet and that your submission complies with all outlined requirements.
Denver Pride Artist Designed Merch Contest (2026)
Denver Pride Artist Designed Merch Contest (2026)
Denver Pride 2026
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