The Center on Colfax, a prominent nonprofit serving the Rocky Mountain LGBTQ+ community, has appointed a new executive director, Kim Salvaggio.
At 49 years old, Salvaggio brings a wealth of experience from her previous role at Rocky Mountain PBS, stepping into this position in May.
In a recent interview with Colorado Matters Senior Host Ryan Warner, she shared her vision for the Center, which includes hosting the city’s PrideFest and Pride parade while offering extensive community services.
Salvaggio highlighted a significant challenge the organization is facing: a drop in corporate sponsorship amid President Donald Trump’s efforts to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Despite these hurdles, she emphasized that the Center has set an ambitious fundraising goal for the year.
Last year, the Center successfully raised $2.6 million through Pride events, and they aimed to match that figure this year.
As of June 30, they had raised $2 million but are optimistic about reaching their goal by the end of the fiscal year.
While some sponsors have had to withdraw due to the current political climate affecting DEI efforts, Salvaggio expressed gratitude for those who continue to support the Center.
She stated, “I think the conversation around sponsorships… it’s not as simple as ‘a sponsor pulled out.’ A lot of times, these sponsors really do want to show up for the queer community and support, especially their employees… That’s why it’s heartbreaking.”
Salvaggio’s personal journey deeply informs her leadership at the Center.
She expressed that her connection to the queer community drove her decision to take on this role, stating, “The only way I would ever leave public media is if it was an opportunity to lead a queer organization.”
Salvaggio candidly spoke about her experience with imposter syndrome, a feeling that many within marginalized communities may understand.
“I think imposter syndrome is something a lot of us live with… There are days that I’m like, ‘I am so the person to do this,’ and other days where I’m like, ‘I have lost my mind. What am I doing?'” she said.
Her identity plays a crucial role in her mission as she identifies as a thriving queer woman married to a non-binary person, with a trans daughter.
Salvaggio remarked, “My life by definition has already been politicized in this role.”
In discussing the visibility of the queer community, she stated, “We’re not going anywhere. We’re here, we’re resistant, we’re resilient.”
Salvaggio emphasized the importance of unity within the community, expressing that their liberation is interconnected.
Commenting on the Center’s relationship with the Denver Police Department, she acknowledged a complicated history between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community.
She noted, “I am aware to the deepest level of how police and policing queer people is a really difficult and dark history.”
However, she also recognized that there are members of the queer community within the police force working towards positive change.
Salvaggio stated, “It is a partnership with them more than anything,” regarding the police’s involvement with Pride events.
She addressed the common question of law enforcement’s presence at Pride, noting that the police can either leave, ignore the painful history, or contribute to meaningful change.
For now, Salvaggio chooses to work with those who aim to improve the relationship between the police and the LGBTQ+ community.
Intending to create a safe and inclusive environment, she stated, “Also, there’s people that are going to feel safe with a police presence there.”
Looking ahead, Salvaggio has plans to further engage the community by creating spaces for queer poetry and exploring queer history, particularly related to Palestinian identity.
She expressed enthusiasm for extending Pride celebrations to more rural areas in Colorado, emphasizing the importance of outreach.
However, when addressing the controversy surrounding corporate sponsorships, she explained that divesting from them could jeopardize the Center’s ability to provide essential services.
“I cannot make that promise right now. We would lose so much revenue, we wouldn’t be able to provide the free services to our community if we divested from all corporate sponsorships,” she warned.
Salvaggio also discussed the growing dissent regarding the Center’s association with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has faced criticism for its strong position on Israel.
Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, she noted that some members of the community feel that the ADL’s rhetoric has been damaging.
“I am having the conversations with them and hope by the first week of August I’ll be able to have a very distinct point of view in my own education,” she stated about her efforts to understand and confront the ADL’s impact.
Overall, Kim Salvaggio’s leadership perspective at The Center on Colfax reflects her deep commitment to addressing the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in Denver while navigating complex challenges in today’s socio-political landscape.
image source from：denverite
