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County hosts town hall to discuss issues about PrideFest
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Dozens of people gathered in an audience that vented its opinions — sometimes loudly — about the annual PrideFest in Douglas County at a community meeting one month ahead of this year’s scheduled event.
During the July 26 town hall, county o cials attempted to ensure the public that a repeat of last year’s controversial conduct won’t happen.
Commissioner Lora omas, one of the county’s elected leaders, reminded the audience that the event is “constitutionally protected.” e county commissioners had decided to hold the town hall discussion about the issue before PrideFest takes place again, hoping to clarify for the public what regulations apply to the fairgrounds.
“And the rest of us don’t have to be there if we don’t want to be there,” omas said.
Last year, at a drag show during the annual Douglas County PrideFest at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, a performer’s breast plate and false nipple were temporarily exposed.
Videos of the performance circulated on social media, where some commenters expressed frustration with the exposure at an event not designated for adults only. Organizers had sent out an apology, saying it was not a planned part of the performance.
Criticism of the event has continued nearly a year later, with a part of the crowd at the county commissioners meeting room appearing angry that the drag show was still on track to occur this year without an audience restriction.
County sta had recently proposed changes to the county’s fairgrounds facilities policies, includ- ing an updated mission statement to state that all events are to be “family friendly.” e commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the fairgrounds policy updates on May 9.

Another proposed change outlined that event holders agree “not to operate anything similar to a sexually oriented business” as de ned in the county’s zoning regulations, according to the document of fairgrounds policies.
Still, some area residents remain frustrated and feel it’s an issue of protecting children, while others at the town hall voiced support for the event.
Oversight of event
Art Kerkezian, cochair with the Douglas County PrideFest, has said the event last summer doesn’t represent the values of the Castle Rock Pride group and the PrideFest.
Kerkezian told the town hall crowd that the performer from last year has not been asked to return to PrideFest, referring to the exposure incident.
“When we realized we didn’t have enough oversight on the entertainment portion, we (put in) parameters” to ensure that doesn’t happen again, Kerkezian said.
Some of those procedures include previewing costumes and acts ahead of time. Performers will have to sign an agreement saying that they understand the performance must be “G rated,” Kerkezian told Colorado Community Media.
“A Castle Rock Pride board member or representative will be on stage in the wings watching the performance and has authority to stop the performance” if something inappropriate happens, he said.
One community member, Randy Mills — advocating for public of- cials to add restrictions on PrideFest — at the town hall told omas “I’m going to call you out,” expressing frustration with her handling of policy related to PrideFest. He wanted a new ordinance, or law, to prevent child exposure to inappropriate activity in Castle Rock. omas responded that the county’s current policy outlines that no nudity and no “adult” entertainment are allowed at the fairgrounds.


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