*Boulder poet Andrea Gibson.*
Andrea Gibson poet laureate, passed away early Monday, July 14, at their home in Boulder following a battle with ovarian cancer. They were 49 years old.
A message posted to Gibson’s Instagram account confirmed the news, including a powerful quote from the poet:
“Whenever I leave this world, whether it’s 60 years from now, I wouldn’t want anyone to say I lost some battle. I’ll be a winner that day.”
Named Colorado’s 10th poet laureate in 2023 by Governor Jared Polis, Andrea Gibson was widely celebrated for using poetry as a tool to promote social awareness, unity, and art education.
“Andrea’s voice holds a fierce conviction in inspiring others to pursue art and take action toward solving social issues, and they personify our Colorado for All spirit,” said Polis at the time of Gibson’s appointment. “I know Andrea will be a strong advocate for the arts and art education as a way to bring us together.”
In their reflections upon becoming poet laureate, Gibson shared that they first began performing poetry after moving to Colorado, hoping to connect with others.
“I was terrified,” they wrote. “My hands were shaking so much my voice couldn’t be heard over the rattling of the paper I was holding. But I was hooked, and the following week I bussed down to my first poetry slam at the Mercury Cafe in Denver. The room was lit with soft candles, and the people were just as warm. I never felt so welcomed and at home anywhere.”
Gibson’s early days at the Mercury Cafe were the beginning of a storied career in spoken word, one that earned national acclaim and empowered countless others through themes of vulnerability, resilience, gender identity, and chronic illness.
When offered the title of Colorado poet laureate, Gibson expressed initial hesitation due to their ongoing health concerns. They were open about their cancer journey and what it meant to serve the state in this role, even while knowing they might not complete the full two-year term.
“I’ve been very public about my cancer journey,” they wrote, “not because I want people to know that I’m mortal, but because I so badly want others to know that they are. Knowing that I could die any day saved my life.”
They continued, “Understanding, really understanding the brevity of this existence, has given me more gratitude, awe, and joy than I thought would be possible for me in this lifetime. I wish that joy for everyone. (Minus the cancer.)”
Following Gibson’s death, Governor Polis’s office noted that the poet laureate position is awarded based on “artistic excellence, a demonstrated history of community service in the advancement of poetry, and the ability to present poetry effectively.”
Andrea Gibson, poet laureate of Colorado, leaves behind a legacy that transcends performance — a legacy grounded in truth-telling, compassion, and using language to bring people together. Their voice endures through their poetry, their advocacy, and the lives they touched.
This article is a rewritten summary based on original reporting by CPR
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