Albuquerque needs volunteers as it gears up for Pride Parade

For thousands of people, the Albuquerque Pride Parade will be a day of joy, resistance, celebration and community at Downtown Civic Plaza. But first, the city needs to be cleaned.

In preparation for the June 7 parade, ABQ RIDE, Keep Albuquerque Beautiful and local volunteers are organizing a cleanup of the Central corridor, spanning from Girard to Wyoming. The initiative, set for Saturday, May 31, aims to ensure a tidy and safe parade route, highlighting Albuquerque’s LGBTQIA+ community.

“We are One Albuquerque, and there’s something truly magical about Burqueños coming together to uplift one another and celebrate the spirit of community,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Together, let’s make Central shine and show the world that Albuquerque is a city that’s inclusive, beautiful, and welcoming to all.”

ABQ RIDE is seeking 75 volunteers for the event. Volunteers will meet at the Uptown Transit Center near ABQ Uptown at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 31. Advance registration is required. The cleanup will involve volunteers being shuttled between bus stops to collect trash until noon, followed by a gathering at the Uptown Transit Center with refreshments. Water and cleaning supplies will be provided.

“Help make our city sparkle! ABQ RIDE challenges local businesses, nonprofit partners, and passionate community members to step up and volunteer,” said Transit Director Leslie Keener. “This is your chance to make a noticeable difference — let’s come together to ride the historic Route 66 with pride.”

Last year’s cleanup resulted in 1,100 pounds of trash being collected and disposed of by the City of Albuquerque’s Solid Waste Department. Solid Waste Management Director Billy Gallegos highlighted the importance of community collaboration in enhancing the city’s beauty and quality of life.

The city also encourages ongoing participation in the Adopt-A-Stop program, where volunteers commit to weekly cleanups and monitoring of bus stops. Currently, 112 out of the city’s 2,700+ bus stops are adopted. UNM student and Adopt-A-Stop volunteer Matthew Concho emphasized the impact of showing care for the city’s bus stops and riders.

Volunteers can park for free at the Uptown Transit Center or arrive using free public transportation on Routes 8, 157, and on the ART Red Line (Route 766). Find information on how to sign up, Adopt-A-Stop, Pride parade detours, and more volunteer opportunities. Trash in the transit system can be reported using the See Say app.