Inside Look at DrupalCamp Colorado 2024: What to Expect from the Event
DrupalCamp Colorado is not just another tech event. It's an immersive experience beyond technology, code, and development. This annual event, on July 25th and 26th at the Tivoli Center Ballroom in Denver, Colorado, is designed to offer a full-picture experience of open-source technology. It's about fostering a sense of community, building professional and personal relationships, and creating a space where learning and networking come together seamlessly.
As a technology non-profit, DrupalCamp Colorado serves the open-source community by providing resources for training, networking, and events. The mission is to support and enhance the community's knowledge and connections, making it a pivotal event for anyone involved in or interested in open-source software.
DrupalCamp Colorado aspires to be a regional leader in events for community-built software like Drupal. Attendees can look forward to a rich schedule filled with opportunities to deepen their understanding of Drupal, share knowledge, and apply new skills in a collaborative environment.
Kazima Abbas, sub-editor at The Drop Times, connected with the event organizers to gain detailed insights into what attendees can expect. Here is a comprehensive look into DrupalCamp Colorado, offering a glimpse and an overall view of the event.
A Comprehensive Overview of DrupalCamp Colorado 2024
The organizers shared that the aftermath of the pandemic significantly impacted the tight-knit Drupal community in Colorado. Drupalists in Colorado take pride in their work and the connections they make. However, the pandemic forced a change in how the annual Camp was held. In 2020 and 2021, the event switched to a completely remote format. In 2022 and 2023, a hybrid model was adopted. While this allowed for participation from a broader audience, feedback from the local community highlighted that it wasn't the same.
This year, a conscious decision was made to return to an in-person-only event, fully reimagined. The Camp has been moved to Thursday and Friday instead of the weekend to accommodate attendees better. Pastries and fruit will be served in the mornings to encourage networking, giving participants a chance to meet sponsors—essential supporters of the free camp. Breakfast will be followed by keynotes from Matthew Saunders and Lynn Winter, a freelance digital strategist for Drupal agencies. Afterward, attendees are encouraged to explore the food options at the Tivoli Center during lunch.
The organizers shared their plans for the afternoon:
Our afternoon will be full of community sessions, a coffee exchange, more networking opportunities, and of course the annual party, sponsored by Aten Design Group. Rather than planning to hear from as many community members as possible, we decided to keep our sessions focused and intimate. We’ll have two rooms—one for presentations and one for interactive—with a total of 14 sessions. Drupal contribution will take place in a third room alongside the sponsors and last through both afternoons.
For a complete schedule of events, explore here. To register for the event now, click here.
Why the Tivoli Student Union Was Chosen as This Year's Venue
When asked about the choice of venue, the organizers explained why the Tivoli Student Union on the Auraria campus was selected for this year's camp.
We love to hold our annual camp in Denver since it is central to the state and provides easy access from the primary airport. The Auraria campus is an excellent location given its proximity to hotels, public transit, and an array of parking options. Additionally, the campus is very centrally located in Denver.
This year, we are focused on bringing everyone back in person to our event. With that in mind, we wanted to select an intimate space where our attendees could easily network with each other, meet our sponsors, and enjoy refreshments as a group.

These features make the Tivoli Student Union an ideal venue for DrupalCamp Colorado, ensuring that attendees have a comfortable and convenient experience.
Transportation and Accessibility
We also inquired about the transportation options available for attendees traveling to the Tivoli Student Union. The organizers informed us that the Auraria Campus is highly accessible by public transit.
"The Auraria Campus is accessible by RTD Light Rail, and there are ample parking facilities available on campus. More information about parking options can be found here."
Keynote Speakers to Watch
One of DrupalCamp Colorado 2024 highlights is the impressive lineup of keynote speakers, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the event. The organizers shared details about these keynote sessions, promising that they would offer attendees valuable insights and inspiration.
Lynn Winter, the keynote speaker for Thursday, July 25, is a freelance Digital Strategist specializing in information architecture, user experience, and content strategy. She collaborates with small and large agencies and organizations, focusing much of her work in the non-profit, education, and government sectors. Lynn will share strategies for creating better products and happier clients that go beyond selecting the right content management system (CMS).

On Friday, July 26, Matthew Saunders, Chair of the Drupal Colorado Association, will be speaking. Matthew's journey into the web began in 1995, and his extensive experience managing web application projects led him to join the Drupal community in 2007. He is proficient in various project management methodologies and is a sought-after speaker at Drupal events, including a keynote at Drupalcamp Austin. Matthew will share his experiences in tech as a person who identifies as neurodiverse, providing valuable insights into diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

Session Highlights and Themes
We asked the organizers how many sessions are planned for this year’s event and how they are categorized. They shared the following details:
We’re looking forward to 14 community sessions on a wide range of topics! We’ll have two rooms—one for presentations and one for interactive sessions. We intentionally chose to focus our sessions this way instead of through tracks; however, attendees can expect to see sessions on development and site-building, content and marketing, DevOps, community health, user experience, and project management. We’ll also be offering two sessions about contributing back to Drupal. Check out the sessions.
This diverse range of sessions ensures that there is something for everyone, regardless of their specific interests or level of experience with Drupal.
The Backbone of DrupalCamp: Volunteers
Like most DrupalCamps, DCCO is completely run and organized by volunteers. All Drupal Colorado Association board members serve on the camp committee, handling project management, financial and budget needs, and operations and stepping in wherever else needed. Additionally, community members have stepped up to assist with sponsorships, IT, session selection, marketing, and day-of needs.
According to the organizers, volunteers are always needed for day-of tasks such as setup, teardown, registration, and room monitoring. If you’re interested in helping with day-of needs, sign up to volunteer today! They always look for people to help with setup, tear down, registration, and room monitoring.
All volunteers receive one or more Drupal Colorado branded gifts, such as a tote bag, coffee mug, or beanie. Additionally, they are entered into drawings for a quilt made from past years’ t-shirts and gifts provided by sponsors.
Ensuring a Smooth and Successful Event
The DrupalCamp Colorado Planning Committee has implemented several measures to ensure a safe and successful event. These include employing Code of Conduct professionals, securing a comprehensive insurance policy for attendees and the venue, and organizing a full schedule of speakers, keynotes, contribution sprints, and networking opportunities. Breakfast will be provided each morning to encourage networking among attendees.
Promoting DrupalCamp Colorado 2024
The organizers have leveraged various strategies to attract a diverse and engaged audience. They have used Drupal media to promote the event, enlisted sponsors to share the details, invited past registrants from previous virtual events, and are hosting sessions that appeal to both technical and non-technical audiences within the Drupal community.
Access for Remote Participants
While there will be no live coverage or streaming during the event, the organizers are making efforts to record each session. These recordings will be posted to the DrupalCamp Colorado YouTube channel for viewing after the camp, ensuring that those who cannot attend in person can still benefit from the sessions.
Key Sponsors and Their Support
The organizers emphasized that the event would not be possible without the generous donations from the sponsors. Their support is deeply appreciated, and all attendees are encouraged to get to know them.
This year’s sponsors include:
- Core Sponsor: Elevated Third
- Supporting Sponsors: Tag1, Applura, and Vardot
- Social Sponsor: Aten Design Group
- Food and Beverage Sponsors: Softescu and Dulin McQuinn Young
- Media Sponsors: The Drop Times and The Weekly Drop
According to the organizers, these sponsors play a crucial role in supporting the event, from funding and resources to promoting the camp and enhancing the overall experience for attendees.
After-Party Details
Aten Design Group is hosting the after-party at Number 38 in the RiNo neighborhood, about a 15-minute drive from the camp venue. The event will include drink tickets, appetizers, and opportunities for networking after two full days of Drupal education. All DrupalCamp CO attendees are welcome to join.
Networking and Socializing Opportunities
The organizers have planned several dedicated spaces and activities for networking, relaxation, and socializing during the event. Attendees are encouraged to join the following networking events:
- Thursday and Friday at 9 am: A full hour of networking over pastries, fruit, coffee, and tea.
- Lunch Breaks: Attendees can form small groups and explore lunch options throughout the Tivoli Center.
- Thursday’s Coffee Exchange: An afternoon break dedicated to networking and socializing.
- After Party at Number 38: Sponsored by Aten Design Group, this event offers a relaxed setting for networking.
For those needing a break, several designated areas exist, such as the contribution and sponsor room, the foyer outside the event space, or various quiet corners throughout the Tivoli Center.
DrupalCamp Colorado 2024 promises to be an enriching and engaging experience, offering a perfect blend of learning, networking, and community building. The dedication and hard work of the volunteers, organizers, and sponsors ensure that this event will be both memorable and impactful for all attendees.
We sincerely thank the organizers for sharing these insights and Jenna Van Oort for her invaluable assistance. We will continue to share updates from the event.