In 2006, before Instagram, before TikTok, and before “AANHPI” became part of mainstream conversations, there was a simple but powerful idea: Colorado’s Asian American community deserved to be seen.

That idea became Asian Avenue Magazine.

What started as a grassroots publication has grown over the past twenty years into a platform that has celebrated culture, amplified voices, supported local businesses, and documented the stories of Colorado’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.

At the time, there were few spaces where Asian Americans in Colorado could consistently see themselves reflected in local media. Community events often spread through word of mouth. Cultural organizations worked in their silos. Businesses had limited ways to reach Asian audiences. And many second- and third- generation Asian Americans were still searching for a stronger sense of identity and belonging.

Asian Avenue became a connector.

Issue after issue, the magazine highlighted community leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, students, restaurants, festivals, and families. It celebrated milestones and traditions while also addressing difficult conversations around identity, mental health, representation, immigration, and belonging.

As we celebrate 20 years of the magazine next month (July 2026), we have seen how the publication has evolved alongside the community itself. What began primarily as a print magazine expanded into community events, partnerships and connections across Colorado. The growth reflected a larger transformation happening nationwide: AANHPIs becoming more visible, more vocal, and more engaged in civic and cultural life.

This looked like young women becoming lifelong friends through the Miss Asian American Colorado Leadership Program, organizing high school student conferences with Next Generation Voices, bringing people together to try new restaurants with the Joy of Living Club, and many, many Lunar New Year dinner celebrations over the years!

For many readers, Asian Avenue was more than a magazine. It was where they discovered local events, found businesses, celebrated achievements that mainstream media often overlooked, and felt connected to something larger than themselves. It was the first publication they grabbed when landing at the DEN airport. 

The past twenty years have not been without challenges. Print media has faced enormous changes with increases in paper and gas, and less advertisers as businesses move towards digital.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents, the importance of trusted community storytelling became even more clear. Through it all, Asian Avenue continued to show up — not just as a publication, but as a community platform. 

Thank you to the readers who picked up the very first issues in 2006. To the advertisers who supported us. To the writers, photographers, interns, volunteers, and community partners who contributed their voices and talents. And to the countless individuals and organizations whose stories filled these pages over the years. 

What's Next?

As Asian Avenue Magazine enters its next chapter, the focus is not just on continuing what has been built, but on reshaping how community storytelling lives in a rapidly changing media landscape. The future of the magazine is rooted in three clear directions: expanding digital media, engaging younger audiences through social platforms, and strengthening a model driven by community writers and contributors.

Expanding a Stronger Digital Presence

Like many publications,Asian Avenue has evolved alongside major shifts in how people consume news and stories. Print remains meaningful, but the center of gravity has moved online.

Going forward, the magazine plans to invest more deeply in digital storytelling — from long-form articles and newsletters to multimedia content such as short videos, photo essays, and event coverage designed specifically for online audiences.

The goal is not just to publish online, but to build a living digital archive of Asian American stories in Colorado that is accessible anytime, anywhere.

Meeting Younger Audiences Where They Are

A key priority is reaching the next generation of readers — particularly Gen Z and younger millennials who experience culture, identity, and news primarily through social platforms.

This means leaning into platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and emerging media formats with content that is more visual, more immediate, and more interactive, while still grounded in the magazine’s core mission of authentic community storytelling.

Rather than simply adapting print content for social media, the vision is to create platform-native storytelling: short-form interviews, behind-the-scenes community moments, creator collaborations, and timely cultural commentary that reflects how younger audiences engage with the world.

A Community-Driven Media Model

At the heart of the magazine’s future is a continued commitment to being shaped by the community it serves. Since its founding, Asian Avenue has relied on local writers, students, artists, photographers, and community members to tell the stories that matter most. Moving forward, we plan to be even more intentional about cultivating and supporting our contributors.

By creating more opportunities for community-generated content, mentorship, and storytelling, we hope to amplify a wider range of voices and perspectives while helping develop the next generation of media creators and community leaders. This approach not only strengthens representation but also ensures that the magazine remains authentic and relevant to the people whose stories fill its pages.

We envision an even more collaborative model, where readers, writers, creators, and community members all play a role in documenting, celebrating, and shaping the stories of Colorado’s Asian American community.

Carrying the Mission Forward

The next twenty years of Asian Avenue may look different from the first. We envision a publication with a stronger digital presence, deeper community engagement, and new ways for readers to connect, contribute, and share their experiences. Yet the foundation remains the same: to tell the stories of our AANHPI communities in Colorado. Join us to celebrate 20 years on Saturday, July 18 at the Social Fabric Hub (11am to 2pm).