Colorado News |

PHOTOS: Cleanup continues after nearly 10,000 people converge on rural Colorado for Rainbow Family Gathering

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

Participants express their love for the group by decorating their vans and other personal belongings, seen on July 7, 2022, at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

Participants haul their belongings to and from their camp spots on the last day of the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

People navigate the trails in the meadow at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022. The main area of the gathering is about a two-mile-long hike from the trail heads and parking area. The group gathers, camps, and eats along the main area referred to as the meadow.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

Signage hangs on a tree to direct participants to the kitchens, medical areas and different campsites at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022. Participants explained that many people bring food to donate to the different kitchens as they arrive at the gathering. Then people volunteer time throughout the event to feed the participants. Food is free, although trades are welcomed, and available all around the gathering areas.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

A participant gets a ladle of soup at the Peace Village kitchen at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022. Participants explained that many people bring food to donate to the different kitchens as they arrive at the gathering. Then people volunteer time throughout the event to feed the participants. Food is free, although trades are welcomed, and available all around the gathering areas.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

A participant gathers wood for the heart-shaped fire pit at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

Ehud Tamir, from Israel, tends the heart-shaped fire pit in the meadow at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022. The fire pit is a gathering tradition and is represented at both the annual and local events. Tamir explained that every participant has a different explanation of what the heart-shaped pit means. To him, it means unity and community, as well as working with the fire elements and connecting with Native practices.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

Jarret Williamson embraces Ehud Tamir at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022. Williamson had tears running down his face, which he explained was because of the "good thoughts" he was having. "Him crying gives me permission to cry," said Tamir as he hugged the other man.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

ROUTT NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO - JULY 7: Two crisis response officials read the rules of the gathering on the trail at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig, Colorado. (Photo by Kelsey Brunner/Special to The Denver Post)

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

ROUTT NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO - JULY 7: People gather around the Trade Circle along the outer path of the meadow at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig, Colorado. According to one attendee, the trade circle is the only area that deals in material goods. "There are endless massages, endless shoulders to cry on, and endless love," said Ehud Tamir about the experiences traded at the gathering. (Photo by Kelsey Brunner/Special to The Denver Post)

Kelsey Brunner, Special to the Denver Post

ROUTT NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO - JULY 7: Kyle Davidson hikes with his cat Fritz to the meadow at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig, Colorado. (Photo by Kelsey Brunner/Special to The Denver Post)

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

A handwritten sign with an inclusive message hangs in a tree at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

A participant watches "the sun and the rain" in the meadow at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022. Nudity is a common practice at the gathering, as well as many forms of self expression through clothing.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

Trampled vegetation from a campsite at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig is seen on July 7, 2022.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

Cars line the parking area designated by the National Forest Service at the area before the front gate parking lot at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

A participant hauls his belongings up the road past the dumpsters that line County Road 80 at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022. Many people hitchhike to and from the event. Signs lined the campsites offering or asking for rides home. People come from all over the country and the world to participate in the annual gathering.

Kelsey Brunner, Special to The Denver Post

Garbage is piled at the entrance to the front gate of the gathering to await sorting at the Rainbow Family of Living Light 50th anniversary gathering at Adams Park in Routt National Forest near Craig on July 7, 2022. Participants said that the trash is collected and then volunteers sort it into recycling and trash throughout the following weeks as they work to restore the area to the National Forest's speculations.