Tomorrow, the City and County of Denver will proclaim World AIDS Day as December 1. This year and every year moving forward, The Center on Colfax is proud to observe this milestone.
World AIDS Day calls us to pause, reflect, and recommit to a fight that is far from over. It’s a day to honor the more than 40 million lives lost to HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic, to stand with the millions living with HIV today, and to recognize the activists, caregivers, and medical professionals who have pushed us toward a more compassionate and equitable world.
World AIDS Day is not just a commemoration — it’s a reminder of the power of visibility and community. Thanks to queer and trans organizers, people of color, and those living with HIV have led the charge for decades, progress has been driven to the point where HIV/AIDS is less likely to be a death sentence. Yet, we still have strides to make to ensure the eradication of the disease.
Today, effective treatment means people living with HIV can lead long, healthy lives — and those with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus (U=U). But these advances aren’t evenly accessible. Stigma, discrimination, and lack of resources still keep too many people from receiving the care they deserve.
We have to continue challenging bias and providing education and access to resources and medication. As we continue in the footsteps of those who came before, our courage and action as a community have to inspire governments and institutions to keep fighting.
On this World AIDS Day, we recommit to education, compassion, and action. We remember those we’ve lost. We stand with those living with HIV. And we continue working toward a future where prevention, treatment, and support reach everyone who needs it —everywhere.