The first Gay Pride Parade took place in 1975 with approximately 200 people marching along sidewalks to the Civic Center Park unaware that they needed a permit.

The event currently consists of a two-day festival at Civic Center Park, the Pride 5K, and culminates with a parade along Colfax Avenue.

After the parade, the roads surrounding Civic Center Park (Broadway, the "Colfax Curve", Bannock, and 14th Avenue Parkway) remain closed during the rally and street fair.

Vendors sell a variety of products such as homemade jewelry, stained glass, apparel, food, and services.

The parade staging location is at Cheesman Park in Denver's gay village, the Capitol Hill neighborhood.