The Omnibus Reconciliation Legislation was touted as a major win for workers by eliminating taxes on tips and overtime. In reality, these benefits are temporary, largely favor higher earners, and offer little lasting relief, particularly for LGBTQ+ service-industry workers disproportionately affected by the law’s limited scope and regressive structure.

As autumn colors sweep across Colorado, this Fall issue of Metromode reminds us that change is not only seasonal—it’s political, cultural, and personal. In these pages, we’ve gathered stories that look squarely at the challenges, opportunities, and triumphs shaping LGBTQ+ life in our state today.

In Denver, historic queer-affirming churches are reinventing themselves as cultural and community hubs. Through inclusive leadership, creative outreach, and interfaith collaboration, they provide radical welcome, preserve spiritual connection for marginalized groups, and adapt sacred spaces to meet 21st-century needs and values.

From boomers’ hard-won battles to Gen Z/Alpha’s bold inclusivity, LGBTQ+ civil rights evolve across generations. Millennials stress acceptance and mental health, while all emphasize intergenerational collaboration to protect progress, dismantle oppression, and create a more equitable, inclusive future.