In its many embodiments, the present invention provides a class of pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidine compounds as inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs), methods of preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more such compounds, methods of preparing pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more such compounds, and methods of treatment, prevention, inhibition, or amelioration of one or more diseases associated with the CDKs using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions. An illustrative compound of the invention is shown below: