Meet Ricky Ramos | Comedian & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ricky Ramos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ricky, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I was kind of backed into a corner with the legal system, 18 years in and out 3 1/2 served consecutively. I was given the opportunity to actually do something with my time. I had a friend who was graduating from CU with a creative writing degree, and while having a conversation at work about stand-up comedy, I was intrigued by the idea. I guess it was always of interest, my father is a huge stand-up comedy fan, and I grew up watching the greats! George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy. To say the least, I essentially grew up with comedy subconsciously in my life. So when the topic came about an open mic, I jumped on the opportunity with a 5-minute set that I thought was the greatest material. Ironically, it was a musical open mic as comedy open mic’s were far and few between. I bombed, but I took that moment as a challenge. It was not until I met local legend, and professional comedian, John Novosad, who told me I had a lot of valuable tools in the industry (i.e. stage presence, persona, etc..) What was I missing? Why weren’t people listening to me? I went home and threw everything I had away and made my comedy about me. Growing up as a Denver native, gang-related, drug addiction, being gentrified out of what was once the notorious North Side, now “Highlands”, prison. I brought real life to the stage and that’s when the wheels hit the road. It has been nothing but endless progress, still in. Now, here I am 10 years later attempting to create a space of diversity, IN comedy! Curating Colorado’s FIRST bilingual comedy festival, Vatos Locos, is more than laughter, it’s giving a space for a whole diverse group, bringing a unity that’s not really seen here locally let alone nationally.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One of the things that I am currently most proud of is, creating a diverse comedy scene in Denver that was not necessarily there before. Was it easy, what a cliche question with a cliche answer. Nothing worth creating is easy, things take time, patience, and energy. But now Colorado not only has a bilingual comedy room, but a festival now as well. One of my biggest challenges to overcome was learning to love myself, understand myself, appreciate myself, and learn to let things go that were not healthy for me. It’s not about how hard you fall, but it’s about how hard you can get up from that fall and continue to chase your goal or your dream, or whatever you love that has you running in the first place. As long as you believe in yourself, anything is truly possible. People will tell you no, they’ll discourage you, they’ll try to bring you down. But, as long as you believe in yourself, nothing is going to stop you from achieving that dream.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When it comes to my take on Denver, when my people touch down, of course, we are hitting the iconic places. Chubby’s, Lechugas, Bubba Chinos, Columbine Steak House, could even get a little fancy and go to Shanahan’s. Grab yourself a delicious Little Man’s ice cream and walk down to Confluence Park to people-watch. In my opinion, the city of Denver has a very robust amount of things to do whether we are catching a Rockies game at Coors Field, or riding the scooters down to watch Wu Tang collaborate with the Colorado Symphony. Denver does not disappoint, the entire state for that matter. With national parks galore it’s not hard to find a good spot to hike, camp, fish, or just have a relaxing picnic in. There’s truly something for everyone here in our beautiful city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Anybody who has ever been in my corner supported my dream, and purchased tickets to any of my shows. I give many thanks to my cousin for staying with him so I could clean up my act, and get myself clean. Of course, my wife, Brie Ruiz-Ramos, for giving me stability that I had not known since I was a child living with my grandma Sally. Shout out to the Boulder County Judicial system for planting the seed that made me get my life together. As I said, John Novosad, for firming keeping that seed planted, Tobias Livingston, for giving me my first 20 minutes of stage time. My day 1 believers, followers, and supporters.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SideSplittingEnt/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rickyramos5425

Image Credits
Brie-Ruiz Ramos Phinnius Packadern