2011 Colorado Poet Laureate

David Mason: Colorado Poet Laureate
Gov. Bill Ritter recently introduced David Mason of Colorado Springs as the state’s newest poet laureate. Mason is an accomplished poet and co-director of the creative writing program at Colorado College.

“Coloradans benefit in countless ways from a rich and talented arts community,” Gov. Ritter said during a news conference on the West Steps of the State Capitol. “David Mason will be a valuable addition to this tradition as he brings the power of words to communities all across Colorado.”

Mason will serve as an advocate for poetry, literacy and literature at 10-12 events each year, which include presenting the opening poem for the legislative session, visiting local schools, participating in Arts & Humanities Month, and reading at literary festivals. Mason said he intends to travel to all 64 Colorado counties and visit schools, libraries, hospitals, business organizations and many others to share, teach and encourage poetry.

“In short, invite me to your community and I will do all I can to help you foster literacy and this art of many voices,” Mason said. He concluded the news conference by reading one of his poems, “The Picketwire” (listen to the poem by clicking here).

View Sea Salt 90-second film by David Mason.

To Request an Appearance, email poetlaureate@coloradohumanities.org

At this time, Mr. Mason is almost fully booked until the summer of 2011. In your email, please specify your organization name, location and a brief description (library, high school, middle school, writers group or other community organization) and we will respond to your inquiry as soon as we are able.

Thank you for your interested in poetry in Colorado.

If you are a high school educator, you might want to look into our Poetry Out Loud High School Recitation Competition. Click here for more information.