Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Join Denver Community At Juneteenth Music Festival
June 20, 2026 | General
DENVER — University of Colorado Boulder student-athletes and staff participated in the 2026 Juneteenth Music Festival, presented by The Drop 104.7, in Denver's historic Five Points neighborhood.
Since 1950, Five Points has transformed into a hub of entertainment, culture and community celebration in honor of Juneteenth. The annual festival brings together music, food, vendors, local organizations and families to recognize freedom, history and Black culture.
The parade began at Manual High School and made its way to Five Points, ending near Welton Street and 26th Street. The festival covered five blocks across Welton, stretching from 24th Street to 29th Street, with the main stage located on 26th Street.
Colorado Athletics staff members were joined by student-athletes, Chip, cheerleaders and stakeholders from across campus. The event marked another opportunity for CU to connect with the Denver community and continue building relationships beyond Boulder.
"This is our sixth consecutive year walking in the Juneteenth parade since my tenure at CU," said Dawon Baker, Associate Athletic Director for Impact and Strategic Engagement. "To see it become a staple engagement event for our staff and athletes is amazing."
For the first time during Baker's tenure, a Colorado coach went on stage to address festivalgoers. Football Defensive Coordinator Chris Marve thanked the crowd for coming out and supporting the festival.
"It was a beautiful experience and an amazing opportunity for myself and a number of other people who work at CU, specifically in the athletic department, to witness the community and the synergy of Juneteenth and the celebration of liberation in Denver and the Five Points area," Marve said. "It was a very strong experience for me, from the opportunity to reflect, but also to appreciate what is in this beautiful state of Colorado, in Denver and in the Boulder areas specifically."
Baker said this year's festival helped create additional momentum for CU's relationship with the Juneteenth Music Festival organizers.
"I think this year gave us some additional momentum because we had more conversation with the organizers of the festival more intimately and intentionally," Baker said. "We both see a pathway to help each other."
For Baker, CU's presence at the festival represents more than participation. It is part of a larger effort to strengthen relationships between Boulder, Denver and the communities that continue to support Colorado Athletics.
"Denver and CU Boulder can help elevate each other," Baker said. "That's why I see it as critical to help bolster the Juneteenth festival. When we support each other, we can build coalitions beyond Boulder. So many individuals who attend and support the Juneteenth festival want to see us be successful, and we want to be a part of their community to help them succeed, too."
As Colorado Athletics continues to expand its impact beyond campus, events like the Juneteenth Music Festival remain an important part of that mission. For CU, the day was about more than walking in a parade. It was about showing up, listening, celebrating and strengthening connections with communities that continue to help shape the state of Colorado.
Since 1950, Five Points has transformed into a hub of entertainment, culture and community celebration in honor of Juneteenth. The annual festival brings together music, food, vendors, local organizations and families to recognize freedom, history and Black culture.
The parade began at Manual High School and made its way to Five Points, ending near Welton Street and 26th Street. The festival covered five blocks across Welton, stretching from 24th Street to 29th Street, with the main stage located on 26th Street.
Colorado Athletics staff members were joined by student-athletes, Chip, cheerleaders and stakeholders from across campus. The event marked another opportunity for CU to connect with the Denver community and continue building relationships beyond Boulder.
"This is our sixth consecutive year walking in the Juneteenth parade since my tenure at CU," said Dawon Baker, Associate Athletic Director for Impact and Strategic Engagement. "To see it become a staple engagement event for our staff and athletes is amazing."
For the first time during Baker's tenure, a Colorado coach went on stage to address festivalgoers. Football Defensive Coordinator Chris Marve thanked the crowd for coming out and supporting the festival.
"It was a beautiful experience and an amazing opportunity for myself and a number of other people who work at CU, specifically in the athletic department, to witness the community and the synergy of Juneteenth and the celebration of liberation in Denver and the Five Points area," Marve said. "It was a very strong experience for me, from the opportunity to reflect, but also to appreciate what is in this beautiful state of Colorado, in Denver and in the Boulder areas specifically."
Baker said this year's festival helped create additional momentum for CU's relationship with the Juneteenth Music Festival organizers.
"I think this year gave us some additional momentum because we had more conversation with the organizers of the festival more intimately and intentionally," Baker said. "We both see a pathway to help each other."
For Baker, CU's presence at the festival represents more than participation. It is part of a larger effort to strengthen relationships between Boulder, Denver and the communities that continue to support Colorado Athletics.
"Denver and CU Boulder can help elevate each other," Baker said. "That's why I see it as critical to help bolster the Juneteenth festival. When we support each other, we can build coalitions beyond Boulder. So many individuals who attend and support the Juneteenth festival want to see us be successful, and we want to be a part of their community to help them succeed, too."
As Colorado Athletics continues to expand its impact beyond campus, events like the Juneteenth Music Festival remain an important part of that mission. For CU, the day was about more than walking in a parade. It was about showing up, listening, celebrating and strengthening connections with communities that continue to help shape the state of Colorado.
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