AIDS Epidemic
1980's
This article was included in the September 1982 issue of GAYSPEAK, giving us a glimpse into the time before the virus was understood. [1]
By December 1986, statistics showed that 24 people had contracted AIDS in Colorado Springs since 1982, and 14 had already passed in that time. [2] By 1988, the number of Colorado Springs residents who had contracted the virus was quoted as 41, with 27 people passing and 3 moving out of the area. [3]
In the 1980's, two main organizations arose to address the virus, Southern Colorado AIDS Project, a resource and advocacy organization, and Lambda House, a residential home for those with the virus.
The AIDS Quilt came to Denver, April 21-23. Southern Colorado AIDS Project collected panels made by people in the Southern Colorado area to contribute to the quilt. On March 27, the local community held two Quilt Shows, one at The Exit, and the other at the The Hide & Seek, presented by the Imperial Court of Southern Colorado. There were seven quilts, with an eight being made for Brent B. (who died February 1988), that were made in memorial of Ricky Morris, Johnny Bates (Lois Lane), Bobby Cassidy, Bill Carlson, and Don Thomas. The mothers of Brent and Lois contributed to the quilt and event, and the quilts were then presented at All Souls Unitarian Church from April 4-17, before being incorporated into the AIDS memorial quilt in Denver, April 21-23. [4]
Harm Reduction
The El Paso County Health Department's 501 N Foote Clinic started to offer HIV testing in 1985, alongside other Colorado clinics. In 1988, the department, under the guidance of John Potterat, advocated for harm reduction measures, such as using bleach to disinfect needles before use and the implementation of needle exchange programs, which have been incredibly successful at curbing the spread of HIV among those who use intravenous drugs. However, the Colorado Springs Police Department was reticent to incorporate measures they thought might encourage drug use.
Harm reduction programs are now available in Colorado Springs through the Southern Colorado Health Network and its Love Alive program.
Questions
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- Yes! The AIDS Quilt
References
“Gayspeak, September 1982” Pikes Peak Gay Community Center, Sep. 1982, Pikes Peak Library District Special Collections, 0461 Pride Center Box 5, Folder 9. ↩︎
Halfway house to death to shelter victims of AIDS; Springs sanctuary built to comfort victims (1986-12-06). PPLD Digital Collections, accessed 17/12/2025, https://digitalcollections.ppld.org/nodes/view/1003900 ↩︎
AIDS apathy blamed for wane in local services; Lambda House administrator quits, S-CAP loses free office (1988-07-25). PPLD Digital Collections, accessed 17/12/2025, https://digitalcollections.ppld.org/nodes/view/442531 ↩︎
- “Gayspeak, February 1988.” Pikes Peak Gay Community Center, Feb. 1988, Pikes Peak Library District Special Collections, 0461 Pride Center Box 5, Folder 9.