Please join us for the 2026 Crestone Poetry Festival, August 21st-23rd.

The Crestone Poetry Festival will take place as planned from Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23, 2026, and this year's gathering is shaping up to be one of our most inspiring yet.

We are delighted to welcome an exciting mix of new voices and beloved returning poets. Among them is Aspen Everett, bringing their distinctive blend of Kansas roots and Front Range spirit. Jessica Lopez will be returning with her wise words and dynamic passionate presence. Art Goodtimes will open a playground for poets to explore how the alchemy of performance transforms inner inspiration into powerful expression. We are also preparing workshops on the publishing journey and other opportunities to deepen your craft and connect with fellow writers.

Whether you are an experienced poet, an emerging writer, or simply someone who loves language, the festival offers a place to gather, create, listen, and be inspired.

Stay tuned for additional announcements as this year’s Crestone Poetry Festival unfolds into a wild and wonderful celebration of words.

Crestone Poetry Festival Retreat Update: The Living Poem

A Celebration and a New Date to Come

We are rescheduling The Living Poem, our special Crestone Poetry Retreat guided by Colorado Poet Laureate Crisosto Apache.

While we know this change may be disappointing, we are thrilled to share the reason: Crisosto has been awarded a prestigious Fellowship from the Academy of American Poets. The fellowship ceremony takes place during the week originally scheduled for the retreat, and we couldn’t be more excited for them.

This honor recognizes Crisosto’s extraordinary contributions to poetry and community, and we celebrate this well-deserved achievement. We know this fellowship will open new opportunities for their work, and we look forward to welcoming them to Crestone on a future date for what promises to be an unforgettable retreat experience.

Please join us in congratulating Crisosto and sending your encouragement here.

For Registered Retreat Participants

If you have already registered for The Living Poem, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause.

You may choose one of the following options:

Receive a full refund of your retreat registration fee.
Apply a portion of your registration fee toward admission to the Crestone Poetry Festival, August 21–23, 2026.

If you have not yet heard from us, please contact us at poets@poemfest.com and let us know how you would like to proceed.