Fight The Stigma Colorado - 2023

In the quiet hours before dawn, inspiration arrived in an unforgettable way. Dr. Jeremy Dubin awoke from a vivid dream carrying the spark of an idea that felt less like imagination and more like destiny. In that dream, he recalled an energizing conversation with his friends and collaborators, Dr. Marty Rein and Dr. Eric Straumanis. The message was unmistakable. By the time the sun rose, planning for what would become Fight The Stigma had already begun. On September 9, 2023, at The Lyric in Fort Collins, Colorado, that dream took form as the very first Fight The Stigma Music Festival. What unfolded was far more than an event. It was a bold declaration of unity, compassion, and courage. Musicians, mental health professionals, medical leaders, artists, and community members gathered with a shared purpose: to confront stigma surrounding mental health and addiction, and to affirm a simple but powerful truth — it’s okay to not feel okay. Guided by the vision and expertise of its founders, addiction physician Dr. Jeremy Dubin, psychotherapist Dr. Marty J. Rein, and psychiatrist Dr. Eric Straumanis, the inaugural festival created a space where music and meaning moved together. Performances from Northern Colorado artists filled the stages with energy and emotion, transforming rhythm and melody into catalysts for conversation, connection, and hope. The impact extended beyond the music. State and local political leaders, healthcare advocates, and educators took the stage to speak about the urgency of dismantling stigma and strengthening pathways to understanding and care. Their voices underscored what the day made beautifully clear: this was not simply a festival, but the beginning of a community movement. Presented in partnership with Blast N Scrap, Cowbell Collective, Front Range Clinic, and KRFC 88.9 FM, the first Fight The Stigma festival resonated deeply across the region. It stood as a celebration of resilience, a call for empathy, and a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community chooses to come together with intention and heart. The inaugural Fight The Stigma Music Festival was a remarkable success; a dream realized, a conversation ignited, and a tradition born.