Press

Colorado Anime Fest is pleased to welcome members of the press to cover our event. We offer complimentary (up to 4) weekend press badges per outlet that grant the badgeholder with the same benefits as a standard attendee weekend badge with the following additional benefits:

• Early entry into panels/events if space is available. First-come first-served.

• The chance to request private interviews with our Guests of Honor. These are not guaranteed and must be requested/scheduled through our press department. Please note: ALL interviews with Guests of Honor must be facilitated through our press department. If you are found to have directly approached/solicited Guests of Honor, your press access may be revoked and/or you may be removed from the convention.

• Press badges do not grant “all-access” access to our event (backstage, staff areas, etc.)

• Press badges do not grant you the power to restrict attendees from certain areas of the convention. You may politely ask attendees to clear an area, but they do not have to comply.

Press outlets are expected to provide coverage of the convention posted/printed no later than two weeks after the convention ends, providing us a copy as proof of coverage. (This can be a PDF or link to the publication). If you need longer, please communicate with us and we can work with you. All applications are subject to review and approval by our press department and may be declined for any reason. Your outlet will be evaluated year-to-year to ensure quality and professionalism. 

In order to qualify for complimentary press badges, your outlet must have been active for at least a year and belong to one of the following categories:

Broadcast Media (Local/National News, Television, Radio, etc.):
You must be able to show us that your outlet is currently active and provide outlet-issued credentials.

Print Media (Newspapers, Magazines, etc):
You must be able to show us that your outlet is currently active and provide outlet-issued credentials.

Digital Media (Websites, Blogs, Youtube, Podcasts, etc.):
You must be able to show us your outlet is currently active with a professional layout and a minimum of two publications per month for 6 months continuously. If seeing your publication requires an account or payment, a trial account may be required for us to evaluate whether to approve your outlet. Social media-only pages such as Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, Snapchat, etc. do not qualify for Digital Media. 

Other (Please explain):
Not all press types fit neatly into the above categories, but you may still be able to visit COAF with a press badge at the discretion of the press department. If your press type is not listed here, There will be a space in the application for your outlet to explain what your medium is and to show examples of your work. Other types of press may include journalism students, influencers, etc. Please be detailed on your application and our press department will reach out to you to discuss. 

Press Policies:

• All press will be held to the same code of conduct that applies to general attendees. Please review the Convention Code of Conduct.

• All press members must identify themselves to staff by having a Colorado Anime Fest press badge visible.

• Any press badge holder must be age 18+ to qualify for press badge unless they are a high school student with prior approval.

• Use of flash photography must be approved at each event individually.

• Each member of a press outlet that will be attending must complete a press application.

• Press must follow any photography restrictions that apply to regular attendees, which may include restrictions at particular panels or events. See our Photography policies here.

• Badges are limited and not all applications will be approved. Members of a press outlet will each receive individual consideration of their qualifications. If it is found that a badge has been requested under false pretenses, badges for that entire organization will not be approved and/or will be revoked. 

To ensure the enjoyment and safety of Colorado Anime Fest attendees, Guests of Honor, staff, and other credentialed press, Colorado Anime Fest retains the right to revoke any badge at any time for any reason whatsoever. COAF staff decisions are final.

A press member who has their badge revoked may be restricted from returning to one of our events in the future, as press or a general attendee. Examples of behavior that may result in badge revocation include but are not limited to:

• Violation of the Code of Conduct

• Harassing a Guest of Honor

• Bringing non-press, general attendees to interviews with Guests of Honor

• Bringing non-press, general attendees into press-only areas without prior permission from Colorado Anime Fest

• Engaging in unprofessional and/or inappropriate behavior during the event, as determined by Colorado Anime Fest staff

• Approaching/soliciting guests of honor for interviews outside of the COAF press department. 

• Requesting autographs or sketches outside the normal autograph sessions and/or disobeying the directions of Colorado Anime Fest staff manning autograph lines

• Interfering with attendees’ enjoyment of the convention

• Violating any Colorado Anime Fest policy, facility policy, or law not otherwise listed

FAQ

How do I apply for a press badge?
Please review the press badge qualifications and submit a press application. We will receive applications online before our event as well as at the event. We will review the applications that have come in and send out acceptance or denial emails. If you have applied after March 15, 2026, please contact the Colorado Anime Fest Press Department Head by emailing press@coanimefest.com. After this time, applications submitted may not receive e-mail confirmation, and can be approved on-site if needed.

What do I do when I arrive?
When you arrive at the convention, you may pick up your press badge at the Press Office (Pinon). If you are applying for press at the event, you will be asked to complete a form for approval. Without your press badge, you will not have access to the convention. Please wear your badge in a visible location at all times when you are in the convention space.

Please note: Valid, government-issued photo ID is required for press badge pickup. For identification purposes, each press badge holder may only pick up their own personal badge. Please report lost or missing badges to the Press Office as soon as possible.

The Press Office will be staffed throughout the convention to assist you with any questions you may have.

What do I need when I pick up my badge?
To pick up your badge if you have pre-registered, you will need to present all of the following items: 

• A valid, government-issued photo ID

• A business card or other form of press credentials

What’s the difference between press badge approval and having a physical press badge?
A confirmation e-mail will not get you into the convention. You must pick up a physical badge at the Press Office. All members of the press must wear their badges at all times during the event when in convention space.

Can I approach a Guest of Honor to inquire about interview availability?
ALL interviews with guests of honor must be facilitated through our press department. If you are found to have directly approached/solicited guests of honor your press access may be revoked and/or you may be removed from the convention.

How do I interview a Guest of Honor?
While press will be able to attend guest panels, some panels may not have early press entry available. Press are encouraged to ask questions, but also share the time with other press and fans. Members of the press are absolutely not allowed to bring personal guests into the convention or into guest interviews. 

If you would like to conduct a one-on-one interview with a guest, please contact the Colorado Anime Fest Press Department Head for consideration. 

How do I obtain early access for panels, or special events like the cosplay competition?
Arrive early to the event and show the staff at the door your press badge for early access when available. Staff reserve the right to refuse entry or remove you from the event space at any time. COAF does not reserve press seating and if you arrive late to the event or after seating has begun, the seating available to general attendees is the same available to you.