The Colfax Canvas Mural Festival brought on Persist in 2023 for its fourth annual event with a goal to tell the vibrant stories of an often overlooked community. Initial press coverage from key outlets like Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, Out Front Magazine, Westword focused on the sense of pride and place these murals add to the East Colfax neighborhood, as well as for residents and visitors.

For the fifth annual event in 2024, media interest continued with an uptick in broadcast and video coverage, making the stories even more visual and impactful. During this campaign, Aurora became part of the national discourse. Our coverage of the area’s arts scene and the messages behind the festival’s murals combatted the larger narrative, highlighting the voices, stories and images that represent the people of Aurora.