Article & Photos by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media (see photo gallery below)

The 2018 Colorado Latino Festival wrapped up it’s very successful week long event with a huge party at Central Park in Downtown Boulder this past weekend. Activities took place June 18-24. Latin Life Denver was proud to serve as a media sponsor for the festival.

Barrio-E Bomba group founded by Jose Beteta and wife Tamil Moldando . The group is dedicated to building a Diverse Community to Embrace Caribbean and Latin American Culture in Colorado through Arts.

The festival featured activities throughout the week at various venues in Boulder,CO. Every event was free to the public and was  intended to celebrate Latino heritage and culture as well as to recognize the many contributions Latinos make to our society.

Monday saw the opening reception of the Colorado Latino Festival Week 2018 at the Boulder Museum Of Contemporary Art. Proclamations by the City of Boulder & Boulder County were presented. Art by Roberto Juarez, music by Victor Mestas Pérez and the food by provided by Taqueria Esperanza.

Bateria Alegria got the crowd moving with its Brazilian Samba percussion’s. 

Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall came alive on Wednesday as the weekly popular Band on the Bricks Summer Concert series featured Latino culture and music by Barrio E’ and Jyemo Club

A member from Qhaswa Peru USA dance group passionately performs for the crowd.

Thursday featured the screening of the film DOLORES which was followed by a panel discussion with Latina Activists including Irene Vilar in the area of Environment, Tamil Maldonado in the Arts and Sonia Yvette Marquez in Community and Immigration. Moderated by City of Boulder Mayor Pro-Tem Mary Dolo Young.

The crew from Denver Open Media with Station Manager Ann Theis (sunglasses) provided hours of live broadcasting on Comcast TV

On Friday participants hit the trail, literally, as they went on on a bilingual afternoon hike led by City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks. The hike began at the Boulder Public Library, followed the Boulder Creek Path westward and finished up at Settlers Park. Later on everyone was invited to dance the night away at the famous St. Julien Hotel & Spa. The music was provided by Los Chicos Malos.

Saturday was about a family friendly morning walk to the Boulder Flatirons through Chautauqua Park, hosted and led by City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks.

The cuisine was  from throughout Latin America  was a treat to both the eye and palate and enough to satisfy anyone tastes.

Sunday of course was the big Panchanga with a multitude of entertainment on two stages, lots of Latin Cuisine and vendors.

Denver Open Media broadcast live for more than three hours on Comcast TV and Latin Life Denver Media Live Streamed the best of the happenings including performances by Bateria Alegria, Orquesta La Brava, Barrio E, Los Mocochetes, Las Dahlias and more.

Colorado Latino Festival organizer Jose Beteta is also the President of the Boulder Latino Chamber of Commerce as well as the head of the Barrio-E Puerto Rican percussion bomba group. He also sings lead for Orquesta La Brava. And if that’s not enough he will soon be opening the 6,000 sq. ft. Raices Brewery in Denver’s Sun Valley neighborhood.

The annual Colorado Latin Festival is produced by Barrio E’ & the Latino Chamber of Commerce. All the free programming is intended to celebrate Latino heritage, culture as well as to recognize the contributions Latinos make to our society.

Photos by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media