Organizations in Denver, Colorado are raising money to install permanent rainbow crosswalks by June—just in time for Pride Month.

If successful, Denver will join the ranks of Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and West Hollywood in installing these colorful crosswalks for good.

How is this happening?

This move is being spearheaded by the area’s Buffalo Exchange, a popular thrift store. Other neighborhood-business associations, as well as city Councilman Jolon Clark, are helping with the efforts. They hope to install the thermoplastic crosswalks at the intersection of Broadway and West Irvington Place.

Todd Colletti, owner of Buffalo Exchange, notes the area of Broadway the city is looking to install the crosswalks on is significant. During PrideFest, a runway fashion competition is held on that crossway.

He explains that when the stop light turns red, ‘drag queens and all the fabulous people strut across the street.’ The winner, according to Colletti, receives a $1,000 prize (£713.47; €811).

‘We thought, let’s take it up a notch this year and do a rainbow crosswalk,’ Colletti says.

Fundraising

After Councilman Clark heard about the idea, he worked with Colletti and other business owners to launch a website for the project.

‘Buffalo Exchange Colorado, the Baker Broadway Merchant Association and the Office of Councilman Jolon Clark are working to install a rainbow crosswalk at Broadway and W Irvington Pl. This project is a ​visual demonstration of the neighborhood’s spirit of inclusiveness and support for the LGBTQIA+ community,’ the website reads.

‘The crosswalk will be installed using thermoplastic materials to create a permanent installation. Thermoplastic is a pavement marking material that is a 100% solid, environmentally and user safe compound. A mixture of glass beads, pigments, binder, and filler materials, thermoplastic, as its name suggests, becomes liquid when heat is applied. As opposed to paint, thermoplastic will be able to withstand the daily wear and tear of Broadway traffic.’

‘We are looking to raise $25,000 (£17,836.75; €20,275) to cover the cost of installing permanent thermoplastic pavement markers in a rainbow of colors on two crosswalks along Broadway in Denver. Any amount will help us reach our goal!’

As of Tuesday, 27 March, the project has raised $10,535 (£7,516.41; €8,543.89) in donations.

Denver ♥︎s the LGBTI community

According to Colletti, the community at large has been supportive of the initiative. However, some weren’t happy about the cost.

‘It’s a very divisive time, and there’s a lot of anger and groups of people who feel like they’re not being represented and being left out,’ says Councilman Clark.

‘This is… a way we as a city and community can wrap our arms around the LBGTQ community and tell them how much we value them, care about them and love them in a very tangible and visible way.’