It was a cool and overcast day, the day Associate Professor of Liberal Arts, Crisosto Apache’s life changed forever. An acclaimed writer for years, this day marked Apache’s most notable achievement to date. Flurries fluttered about a gray sky as Apache entered the Colorado State Capitol, enroute to meet Colorado Governor, Jared Polis. The date was Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the day Crisosto Apache would be named Colorado’s first-ever indigenous Poet Laureate!
What is a Poet Laureate?
Poet Laureate is one of the most prestigious titles in all of literature; as its name might lead you to believe, it is strictly reserved for poets. Like the term Nobel Laureate (someone who wins a Nobel prize), Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines Poet Laureate simply as “a poet honored for achievement,” however, specific governing bodies may provide more detailed definitions.
As such, there are several different types of Poets Laureate (the technical plural term, although Poet Laureates is used as well) recognized by different governing bodies. According to the Library of Congress, 46 states (including Colorado) have a Poet Laureate, the exceptions being Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Alaska and Idaho (the latter two states have similar yet different official positions). At the national level, there is also another Poet Laureate, who is determined by the Librarian of Congress. These Laureate roles are more often detailed as being ambassadors for poetry and usually serve for a predetermined amount of time.
Colorado’s Poet Laureate is chosen by the Governor from a list of community nominations who “demonstrate exceptional poetic talent, a commitment to community engagement, and a desire to foster the appreciation of poetry across Colorado.” Jared Polis, Colorado’s 43rd Governor, selected Crisosto Apache to be the state’s next Poet Laureate because of Apache’s strong literary voice, commanding use of language, and empathic approach to depicting the unique and universal human experiences.
Who is Crisosto Apache?
Crisosto Apache was born in Mescalero, New Mexico, on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in 1971. Crisosto is Mescalero Apache, Chiricahua Apache, and Diné (Navajo) of ‘Áshįįhí (Salt Clan) born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). Since childhood, Apache has always admired the impact of language, saying, “I have always believed that words have the power to change the landscape of hearts and minds.” That belief led Crisosto to pursue an education, towards becoming a writer. According to an interview for Outwords, Apache was the first of the family to graduate from high school.
Education wasn’t just an important step in Apache’s journey towards Poet Laureate; it became the foundation. After high school, Apache earned an Associate of Fine Arts in creative writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts in 1992.
Apache moved to Denver in 1998 to attain a BA in English and Native American Studies from Metropolitan State University. It was at that point that Apache encountered the Two-Spirit Society of Denver, an organization dedicated to honoring and restoring the cultural significance of traditional non-binary indigenous community members. Since then, Apache has remained a passionate advocate for the two-spirit identity and continues to incorporate themes of what it means to be proud of being indigenous and queer in the modern climate.
In 2015, Apache returned to the Institute of American Indian Arts for an MFA in creative writing. Two years later, in 2017, Apache got the opportunity to join the RMCAD family as an Associate Professor of Liberal Arts. Apache enjoys teaching English Composition, Literature, World Thought, and of course, Poetry.
Since 2017, Apache has become an especially prolific voice in not only the Indigenous and Colorado poetry scenes but on the national stage. In 2018, Apache released “GENESIS”, a collection of poetry that utilized both the Apache Language (Nde Bizaa) and the Navajo Language (Dine Bizaad) to meditate on indigenous culture, queer culture, and the intersection between the two, among other things.
In 2023, Apache delivered a long-awaited follow-up, “Ghostword,” which is written in conversation with Akutagawa Ryunosuke’s 1927 work, “A Fool’s Life.” Blending the Mescalero Apache language and culture with Japanese influences, “Ghostword” taps into that universal human experience that exists beyond space and time. Most recently, in 2025, Apache won the Betty Berzon Emerging Writers Award and was a finalist for the Colorado Authors League for a book of poetry titled “is(ness).” Additionally, Apache is also the editor-at-large for Offing Magazine, an online literary magazine that publishes original works from all genres.
While at RMCAD, Apache has continued to prove tremendous talent as an educator and poet. Sharing with students the expressive power of poetry and the impact it can have. “I am full of gratitude to be part of Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, an institutional community that fully supports me stepping into the role of Poet Laureate. I continue to believe that poetry is more vital now than ever and is not merely an art form, but a bridge to truth,” shared Apache.
What Will Crisosto Apache do as the Colorado Poet Laureate?
Crisosto Apache will hold the honor for a two-year term, which will involve outreach work as an ambassador for the arts all throughout Colorado. This term is especially noteworthy as Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary alongside the United States’ 250th anniversary. As an ambassador for the arts, this role will take Apache all across the state, doing poetry readings and workshops with the many unique communities of Colorado, and focusing on bringing poetry to the youth.
Apache is, of course, honored to receive this recognition and excited to perform the role’s responsibilities. “My heart is full of joy and gratitude to be entrusted with this position, and to join the lineage of the incredible poetic voices that have shaped Colorado; it is an honor beyond words,” shared Crisosto Apache. As the state’s 11th Poet Laureate, Apache is now a part of a long and respected history dating all the way back to Alice Polk, who was named Colorado’s first Poet Laureate in 1919.
It will be particularly exciting to see Apache interface with the diverse state of Colorado as the first Indigenous Poet Laureate in state history. As such, Apache hopes to use this opportunity to inspire others. “In my service as Laureate, I hope to continue to support my students, colleagues, and the community of Colorado, utilizing poetry as a light.” Crisosto Apache has already begun to shine a light on the community here at RMCAD, and we cannot wait to see what such a promising educator and poet like Apache will do with this exciting new role!
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