DrupalCamp Colorado 2025 Returns with AI Topics, Accessibility Commitments, and Free Events

Just TWO DAYS away! DrupalCamp Colorado 2025 is happening THIS WEEKEND – July 25 and 26 at the vibrant Tivoli Student Union on Auraria Campus in the heart of downtown Denver!

The event remains free to attend and includes two full days of sessions, contribution sprints, and community engagement. The camp is designed to be open and inclusive to developers, designers, strategists, and newcomers alike.
Organised by Drupal Colorado, Inc., DrupalCamp Colorado 2025 provides a platform for knowledge sharing and professional development within the Drupal community.

Tivoli Student Union, where the event will be held, is known for its accessibility features.

“[It] specifically caters to handicapped students, both physically by ease-of-getting around the Student Union, as well as providing technological support during presentations for those with disabilities,” organisers told The DropTimes.

Attendees will also receive a 30-day trial to the O’Reilly learning platform by scanning a QR code at the event. Friday evening includes a social gathering at Number 38, sponsored by Aten Design Group.

Session themes and structure came from a mix of submitted proposals and an intentional effort to include more AI-related topics. 

“From the sessions that were submitted, a balanced selection of topics chosen ranging the gambit of skill levels,” the organisers noted.

The session review process was handled by the Camp Planning Committee, including several standing board members of Drupal Colorado, Inc. 

“The decision process of selected sessions prioritised a balanced and structured schedule that ranged a variety of topics, and would appeal to a variety of audiences and open-source communities outside of Drupal.”

Submission numbers were high, twice as many as there were available slots.

Kat Shaw will deliver the keynote. She was selected based on her experience in accessibility and long-time involvement in both the Drupal and open-source communities.

“Kat will focus on themes of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and how that relates to her expertise in the field.” 

While she won’t be speaking in follow-up sessions, she will remain on-site for the rest of the camp.

Accessibility is a major focus this year, but no outside specialists were consulted. 

“The event venue, Tivoli Student Union, specifically caters to handicapped students… providing technological support during presentations for those with disabilities.”

All sessions—including the keynote—will be recorded, captioned, and posted to YouTube after the event.

The organisers confirmed there won’t be scholarships, grants, or affinity meetups. Still, they emphasised that inclusion is central to the camp. 

“Anyone and everyone is welcome to join in discussions, submit sessions, and attend DrupalCamp Colorado. The Camp puts diversity and inclusion at the forefront of session and keynote selection.”

Networking will take place in structured and informal ways. Between sessions, during breaks, and at the evening social, attendees will have time to connect. In addition, contribution sprints will take place Friday afternoon. 

“It is a great opportunity to network and become more familiar with contributing to one of the largest open-source communities in Colorado and the world.” 

The sprints will be led by AmyJune Hineline, with other mentors available to guide participants. All skill levels are welcome, and the format supports developers, designers, project maintainers, and others.

Roughly 20 volunteers will help support this year’s camp. Their responsibilities include accessibility assistance, tech management, session moderation, registration, food, venue support, and general troubleshooting.

Sponsors play a key role in making the event possible.

“Since DrupalCamp Colorado is a free event, sponsors have the largest impact on the event’s scope and offerings every year.” 

Backers like Acquia, Pantheon, and Amazee.io have contributed to sponsored sessions, swag giveaways, and booth presence. A silent auction, hosted via BetterWorld, will also run during the event and includes donations from local organisations such as The Denver Museum of Nature and Science, History Colorado, and Wizard’s Chest, as well as resources from O’Reilly, JetBrains, and Drupalize.me.

Some sessions are labelled “interactive.” These combine lectures with live group activities or hands-on work. 

“There is no advanced registration required… Many of these sessions will provide post-session slide decks or other deliverables.”

Attendees may be asked to use their own devices for some activities.

There is no dedicated orientation track for first-time attendees. However, the camp encourages newcomers to explore sessions and join discussions. 

“This is a free, diverse, and inclusive Drupal Camp with sessions and networking opportunities for anyone and everyone.”

The intent behind this year’s event, the organisers told The Drop Times:

“Every attendee to DrupalCamp Colorado 2025 should leave the event with a sense of having an open, diverse, and inclusive community of people, all willing to support, teach, learn, and network with one another.”

We appreciate the organisers of DrupalCamp Colorado 2025 for sharing their time and insights—and extend special thanks to Matthew Saunders, Philip Stier, and Christine Coughlan for sharing these insights with us.