Colorado Poet Laureate Andrea Gibson Dies at 49
BOULDER, Colo. — Andrea Gibson, the acclaimed spoken-word poet known for powerful explorations of gender, identity, love, and terminal illness, died Monday, July 14, at their home in Boulder, Colorado. Gibson was 49. The news was announced by their spouse, Megan Falley, in a statement shared on social media.
Final Moments Surrounded by Chosen Family
Gibson spent their last hours surrounded by loved ones — including Falley, both parents, four former partners, close friends, and their three dogs. The intimate gathering reflected the kind of community Gibson fostered through decades of deeply personal and politically resonant performances.
Transforming Cancer Into Poetry
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, Gibson turned their illness into art, confronting fear and mortality in poems that resonated with readers facing similar struggles. In You Better Be Lightning and other works, they balanced vulnerability with strength. In one of their later poems, “How the Worst Day of My Life Became My Best,” they wrote:
“When I realized the storm / was inevitable, I made it / my medicine.”
Apple TV+ Documentary to Chronicle Their Life
Gibson and Falley’s love story and journey through illness are featured in the upcoming documentary Come See Me in the Good Light, directed by Ryan White and executive produced by comedian Tig Notaro. The film received the Festival Favorite Award at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and is set to stream on Apple TV+ this fall.
During a tearful screening in January, Gibson told the audience they didn’t expect to live long enough to see the completed film.
A Nation Pays Tribute
Tributes poured in from across the country following news of Gibson’s passing.
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis called Gibson “truly one of a kind,” praising their ability to reach and reflect Colorado’s diverse literary community.
- Tig Notaro, a longtime friend, described the poet’s final days as “painful to witness, but one of the most beautiful experiences” of her life.
- LGBTQ+ fans and readers said Gibson’s words helped them navigate identity, grief, and self-acceptance.
From Maine to Colorado: A Literary Force
Born in Calais, Maine, in 1975, Gibson began writing poetry while attending Saint Joseph’s College. They moved to Boulder in the late 1990s, quickly becoming a standout in the national slam poetry scene.
In 2023, Gibson was named Colorado’s poet laureate. Their bibliography includes seven books, such as Lord of the Butterflies and the popular quote collection Take Me With You.
A Lasting Literary Presence
Even after death, Gibson’s voice continues to resonate. In a posthumously published piece, “Love Letter from the Afterlife,” they wrote:
“Dying is the opposite of leaving… I am more here than I ever was before.”
Delivered from stages with nothing more than a microphone and raw emotion, Gibson’s work leaves behind a legacy of love, truth, and fierce human connection — especially for queer communities, cancer survivors, and all who found courage in their words.
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