Boulder Kicks Off Pride Month With Rainbows Over Pearl

BOULDER, CO — Boulder's popular Pearl Street is about to get a lot more vibrant and colorful, just in time for Pride Month. The city is working with local businesses and organizations to proudly display rainbow flags in local shops, on the mall and at the bandshell in the civic area. Three Pearl Street crosswalks will be painted with rainbow colors and lighting displays will go up along the roadway.

The city is working with Out Boulder County, Downtown Boulder Partnership and Boulder High School Gay-Straight Alliance for the initiative.

“The rainbow has become a symbol of universal love and equality for all, as well as the hard-fought struggles that have occurred in the LGBTQ+ movement over decades. We are delighted to be a part of this effort to showcase Boulder’s pride,” said Mardi Moore, executive director of Out Boulder. “The partners who are working with us to make this happen are amazing. It is truly a community effort.”

In addition to the month-long display of flags in businesses, the public is invited to a celebration event on June 1 that will launch the start of Pride Month at the site of one of the painted crosswalks. The event will be held at 1 p.m. under the flagpoles on Pearl St., on the west side of the Broadway intersection, outside Lindsay’s Boulder Deli at Haagen-Dazs. The program will include remarks from a series of speakers, entertainment from the Mile High Freedom Band and free food from Lindsay’s Deli, while supplies last. The event will occur rain, snow or shine, organizers said.

The concept for Rainbows Over Pearl began on a much smaller scale last year, when City Council Member Bob Yates realized — after returning from a trip to San Francisco — that Boulder was behind other communities in displaying pride flags.

“This is Boulder’s way of saying that our community is welcoming to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” Yates said. “Come downtown in June and see the rainbows over Pearl. Stop into the shops displaying the rainbow pride flag and thank the merchants for their participation. Walk down the Mall holding hands with the one you love, regardless of your orientation. Celebrate 50 years of progress. And dream of a world where discrimination and hatred are found only in the history books.”

Yates estimates that 98 percent of businesses approached on Pearl this year have accepted free flags, with some asking for more than one. Based on the requests, 220 rainbow flags have been ordered and will be distributed by students from Boulder High and other volunteers the last week of May. The flags were purchased by an anonymous private donor.

“The Downtown Boulder Partnership and merchants along Pearl Street embrace diversity and inclusivity and are pleased to support our LGBTQ+ customers, their families, friends and allies during the month of June – and all year long,” said Susan Connelly, interim director of the Downtown Boulder Partnership. “Pearl Street is known for its colorful springtime blooms. We can’t wait to showcase our summer rainbows next.”