GILPIN COUNTY — Music drifted out of the barn while people wandered among booths filled with handmade soap, jewelry, artwork, political information, and community resources.

The Peak to Peak People’s Festival returned to the Gilpin County Community Center on September 19, 2026, bringing together music, activism, local organizations, food, and plenty of items to browse and buy.

The free festival was organized by the Gilpin County Democrats and community volunteers. Organizers described its purpose as "bringing people together through both celebration and activism." The Festival ran from 1 to 9 p.m.

Solidarity Warriors had shirts, hats, patches, and stickers for sale to help fund its work. The group holds online discussions on topics including immigration and the courts and sends out information about upcoming demonstrations and events.

A representative said the group helped organize the two most recent No Kings demonstrations in Denver.

Other booths focused on gun safety, single-payer health care, and Colorado ballot measures.

Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper was among the political candidates who attended.

Dahlkemper, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser’s running mate, talked about the job of lieutenant governor and some of the issues she has been hearing about around Colorado.

She pointed to the lieutenant governor’s role in chairing the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs and working with the state’s tribes. She also talked about affordability, childcare, and access to health care.

Music continued throughout the day, with performers taking the stage between speakers and other activities.

Gilpin County Public Health held a vaccination clinic inside the Community Center. Nearby booths had people stopping to ask questions about suicide prevention, human services, and testing their well water.

One booth offered free PFAS testing through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. People could take a kit home with them or sign up to have one sent in the mail.

Another perk of getting the water checked: If PFAS levels come back above federal drinking water standards, the state will provide a free filter. The filters also remove several other contaminants commonly found in well water.

Help for new parents

Gilpin County Public Health Director Alisa Witt was particularly excited about a new program called Family Connects.

The program offers families with new babies up to three free visits from a nurse in their home. There is no insurance requirement and no cost to the family.

The nurse can check on both the baby and mother and look for safety concerns in the home. If a family needs something such as a Pack ’n' Play, car seat, or cabinet locks, Gilpin County Public Health may also be able to provide those items.

For Witt, bringing that kind of help into Gilpin County has been a long time coming.

“You know, up here in Gilpin County, we’re in a health care desert,” Witt said. “It’s 45 minutes to go see the doctor and you’ve got this new baby that doesn’t come with instructions.”

Unlike another home-visiting program Witt discussed, Family Connects does not have restrictions based on education or whether it is a parent’s first child.

“This has zero barriers,” Witt said. “Anybody that wants it can have it, and there’s no cost and no insurance.”

Visits take place when the baby is between three and 12 weeks old. Families can have one visit or up to three. Gilpin residents can currently access the program through Jefferson County Public Health or call Gilpin County Public Health at 303-582-5803.

Art from Ukraine

One booth brought the war in Ukraine much closer to home. Artwork made by children in Ukraine was on display alongside information about a Ukrainian school in Colorado. The school teaches Ukrainian language and culture. Some Ukrainian refugee children attend.

One woman helping at the booth talked about a Ukrainian mother whose daughters attend the school. She said the family even puts sticky notes with Ukrainian words around their home to help the girls keep the language and culture alive.

Nearby, a Boulder-based nonprofit shared information about its work sending supplies to Ukraine.

A representative said the organization has sent ten 40-foot shipping containers to Ukraine this year. It also modifies small solar panels with USB connections and sends them to places where electricity may be unreliable.

The chargers can be used at schools, hospitals, and other locations. The representative said that about 6,000 solar chargers have been sent to Ukraine. The group has also helped with hydration supplies, water purification, and anti-drone nets.

A marketplace, too

Politics aside, People’s Fest also felt a lot like a mountain market.

Julia Blackmon Church of Missing Link Soapworks brought handmade soaps made with plant-based oils, including shea butter. She also had fragrance-free soap for people with sensitive skin, and a bargain bin of soaps from previous batches.

Gateway Partnership for Early Childhood shared information about child care and family resources. The organization is also working to create family play dates and help parents connect with services.

There was tie-dye clothing, socks, backpacks, woodworking, ceramics, and more.

Sarah Higgins brought some of the more unusual jewelry through Primitive Vibe, part of The Shop Studio Woodworking.

Her husband works primarily with wood, creating furniture, sculptures, vases, and other pieces. Higgins described Primitive Vibe as the “hunter-gatherer” side of their business.

Her materials include shells, feathers, plants, roots, avocado peels, banana peels, walnuts, and bones. Some of the jewelry at the booth was made with chicken, turkey, and pork bones.

Style Supply offered handmade dog collars and leashes. The vendors said they make everything themselves. The collars are waterproof, odor-resistant, hypoallergenic, durable, and customizable. 

A white dog lounging beside the booth made a pretty good advertisement.

Jason Flesher also brought his unique, fractal-burned woodworking. His booth included a skateboard deck, chairs, toy wagons, cutting boards, jewelry boxes, keychains, and coasters.

Food choices included Pancho’s Birrias Y Mas and the MC Squared ice cream cart. Pancho’s served burritos, birria, nachos, and other Mexican food.

With music coming from the stage, conversations happening at the political booths, and people shopping outside, People’s Fest had a little bit of everything going on at once.