Colorado spent more time in the national pop culture spotlight in 2025 than over the past few years combined, thanks to a number of acclaimed movies and one weirdly disappointing TV show, but also political controversy — see “South Park’s” crude, fearless take on President Donald Trump — p lus Academy Awards and concerts that raised the already high bar for live music. Here are 8 moments that helped define Denver’s pop culture profile this year. Queer activist and author Andrea Gibson, who was named Colorado’s 10th Poet Laureate, left, is pictured with their partner Megan Falley, right, near Chautauqua Auditorium after a small gathering to honor Gibson on Sept. 6, 2023 in Boulder. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) Andrea Gibson, memorialized Former Colorado Poet Laureate Andrea Gibson finally received some of the mainstream acclaim they deserved thanks to the documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light,” a nuanced look at terminal illness produced in part by former Denver resident, comedian and actor Tig Notaro. While Gibson collaborated on the award-winning doc, they died on July 14 — exactly four months before the film hit streaming services. It stands as a testament to hope and love in the face of staggering suffering and loss. — John Wenzel "South Park" creators Matt Stone, left, and Trey Parker speak at Ubisoft's 2015 Conference at the Orpheum Theatre on June 15, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) ‘South Park’ redux owns the airwaves After more than 25 years on the air, comedy cartoon “South Park” debuted its latest season in July, generating headlines and increased viewership in the U.S. and beyond for its skewering of the Trump administration — which even responded to some of the show’s barbs. Created by Colorado natives Trey Parker and Matt Stone (owners of Casa Bonita and creators of “The Book of Mormon”), the Colorado-set “South Park” also featured Denver as the backdrop for some of the federal government’s recent actions, including immigration enforcement and deportations. — Tiney Ricciardi "Love Is Blind: Season 9" participant Annie Lancaster, left, takes a selfie with fellow participant, Kalybriah Haskin at the at the Exclusive Fan Event presented by Verizon. The event brought together fans, alumni of the show and season 9 participants and guests. The watch party included a reception with food, music and a chance for fans and guests to mingle with participants before showing the Reunion episode at the East Club Lounge at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photos by Andy Cross/The Denver Post) Denver’s ‘Love is Blind’ makes history — in a bad way The Mile High City got its moment on Netflix’s national stage when the popular reality dating show “Love is Blind” came to town, although it wasn’t all sunshine and wedding bells. Denver made history as the series’ first franchise to produce zero successful marriages. — T.R. Dusty (Josh O'Connor) and Callie Rose (Lily LaTorre) confront hard choices after a wildfire destroys their San Luis Valley ranch in the Colorado-shot drama "Rebuilding." (Provided by Bleecker Street) Colorado-shot movies This year included the family drama with a $15 million budget, “The Man Who Changed the World” (which was shot along the Front Range), and the already-released “Rebuilding,” a drama starring in-demand actor Josh O’Connor that was shot in the San Luis Valley, and which examines the complicated aftermath of a wildfire. That follows late 2024’s “Elevation,” shot in Boulder and Golden and starring Anthony Mackie (the MCU’s new Captain America), plus several other titles that bode well for the future of Colorado’s still-developing film industry. — J.W. Mona Fastvold, from left, Ada Corbet, and Brady Corbet, winner of the award for best director - motion picture for "The Brutalist," in the press room during the 82nd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) The Oscars, and Colorado creatives Colorado-reared filmmakers and subjects helped fuel some of 2025’s most visible titles, including Scott Derrickson’s sci-fi-romance hybrid “The Gorge,” Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” screenwriter Nora Garrett’s “After the Hunt,” and the John Elway documentary “Elway,” which just premiered on Netflix. At the Academy Awards, the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Animated Feature nominees were led by Colorado natives, with former Glenwood Springs native Brady Corbet and partner Mona Fastvold winning for Best Original Screenplay for “The Brutalist,” and even more acclaimed, Oscar-nominated titles making a splash at festivals and on streaming (such as “Porcelain War,” “The Wild Robot,” and “Anjua” — all of which were also Oscar nominated but didn’t win). — J.W. Gov. Jared Polis celebrated Sundance Film Festival's plan to come to Colorado with a crowd at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colo., on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) Sundance Film Fest chooses Boulder A gaggle of grinning politicians and Sundance Film Fest officials in March said the tastemaking industry event would relocate from Park City, Utah, to Boulder starting in 2027. That’s led to lots of preparation and private/public fundraising on Boulder’s part, but also global attention and projected spending that will lift the Front Range city in the lean months of January. — J.W. Bowen Yang attends SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Feb. 16, 2025, in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America/TNS) Farewell, Bowen Yang Aurora comedian Bowen Yang’s run on “Saturday Night Live” ended this year on a Dec. 20 episode hosted by Ariana Grande, Yang’s pal and the co-star of the “Wicked” film series in which Yang has a supporting role. The 35-year-old had broken ground in 2019 when he became SNL’s first-ever Chinese-American cast member, and the first-ever Chinese-American nominated for an acting Emmy. His sharp yet malleable presence will be sorely missed on a show that’s going through a major cast transition. — J.W. Paul McCartney greets the crowd at the beginning of his concert at Coors Field in Denver on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post) Concerts writ large The Front Range has long been a top concert market, and it only got bigger during this up-and-down year for the industry. As ticket prices and fees continued to rile fans, Empower Field at Mile High hosted massive events such as a two-night run from Metallica, and Denver’s own The Lumineers with Nathaniel Rateliff the Night Sweats. In Boulder, Folsom Field welcomed its first July 4 run from Phish, and Paul McCartney played a shockingly great set at Coors Field. With Red Rocks Amphitheatre’s calendar already filling up and new venues such as Project 70 debuting in Denver, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2026. — J.W. ...read more read less