AIDS Walk Goal: End AIDS In Colorado By 2030

DENVER (CBS4)- Participants in this year's AIDS Walk have a goal: to end AIDS in Colorado by the year 2030.

In Cheesman Park on Saturday thousands of walkers laced up their sneakers to put an end to AIDS.

"I was diagnosed with AIDS in 2008. I was very sick," said AIDS patient Phillip Doyle. "I weighed 80 pounds less than I weigh now."

Today Doyle is in good health and he joined thousands of others to walk for those who aren't so lucky.

"I am more optimistic today than I've ever been," said Dr. William Burman, a walker representing a team from Denver Health.

Burman said AIDS in Colorado and across the nation has changed rapidly through testing, treatment and education.

"I personally came here to work in HIV 23 years ago at a time when people were dying everyday," said Burman.

By signing what is called the "Paris Declaration" on Saturday, Denver is adopting the idea of 90-90-90.

"Having 90 percent of people with HIV know their diagnosis, 90 percent of those in care and 90 percent in medicine," said Burman.

Currently those numbers are lower in Colorado but not by much. Since 2005, new HIV infections have decreased by 60 percent.

"We now have the tools to really change this and end AIDS in our community," said Burman. "That's what the declaration is all about."

"The idea of ending the epidemic by 2030 is not a pipe dream. It's completely feasible," said Doyle.

Denver Health is part of the network of health care facilities dedicated to changing the future of HIV/AIDS.