A New Haven in Aurora: Manos Sagrados is Alicia “Bruce” Trujillo’s Most Personal Project yet.

By Miguel Otárola

From the entryway of Manos Sagrados on East Colfax, Alicia “Bruce” Trujillo’s eyes roamed her new venue—shining with fresh coats of pink and green paint but otherwise vacant—and envisioned what it could host.

Sundays will be “intentional,” she said. In the morning, the space could be used for yoga or meditation, with mats spread along the squeaky-clean cement floor. This could lead into “brunch fu,” a brunch show run by her friend Jeneé Donelson, also a booker for Manos. To close out the day, there could be a DJ set or an open-mic session, Trujillo said.

Later, from the venue’s back bar, she rattled off some more ideas. Cumbia dancing. Drag and ballroom shows. Concerts by the Black Banjo Reclamation Project and other nationally touring acts.

“I want all of it in here, because we can,” she said. “I just don't want any more limitations on what I can and can't book, because there's an audience for all of it.”

Trujillo has developed a singular path booking artists and hosting shows at Colorad…