Crisosto Apache is originally from Mescalero, New Mexico, on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Crisosto is Mescalero Apache, Chiricahua Apache, and Diné (Navajo) of ‘Áshįįhí (Salt Clan) born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). Apache earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Apache’s debut poetry collection is GENESIS (Lost Alphabet). Apache’s second poetry collection is Ghostword (Gnashing Teeth Publishing), winner of the Publishing Triangle’s 2023 Betty Berzon Emerging Writers Award and a poetry Finalist for the 2023 Colorado Authors League Award. Apache’s third poetry collection “is(ness)” forthcoming from Gnashing Teeth Publishing in 2025. Apache is also an Editor-at-large for Offing Magazine. Crisosto continues his advocacy work for the Native American LGBTQ / ‘two spirit’ identity. Most recently, Apache was announced as Colorado’s Poet Laureate in January 2026.
Course Credentialing
CW2110 – Creative Writing Multi-Genre, EN1110 – Composition I, EN1111 – Composition II, HU3300 – Topics in Humanities, HU1150 – Introduction to Gender + Sexuality Studies, HU1160 – Introduction to Literary Studies
