The year 2026 will be a big one for both Colorado and the United States.The year will mark both the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 150th anniversary of Colorado being accepted into the Union, so Gov. Jared Polis has called on the state to make sure this occasion is celebrated properly.

“As we approach our state’s 150th birthday, … we will ensure that we can give our state the celebration it deserves. We want everyone to be able to take part in this meaningful milestone, and together we can make Colorado’s 150th, and America’s 250th, one to remember. This is about honoring our past, while celebrating our bright future ahead,” Polis said in a statement last month.

In 2022, state senators Don Coram and Rachel Zenzinger co-sponsored SB22-011, and the bill was signed into law by Polis in May of that year. (State representatives Marc Catlin and Daneya Esgar also sponsored the bill.)

The act created a commission within History Colorado (the state’s biggest historical society) tasked with developing programs and plans for the official observance of the founding of the country and The Centennial State earning its statehood.

The commission is called America 250 – Colorado 150, and its goals are spelled out pretty plainly in the bill.

From the bill summary:
“The commission is directed to develop and promote plans for activities between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, including historical activities, publication of historical documents, public ceremonies, educational activities for Colorado youth, and other commemorative events, to be supported by comprehensive marketing and tourism campaigns. The commission is required to identify, celebrate, and build knowledge around the history of Black communities, Indigenous communities, communities of color, women, and people with disabilities. In addition, the commission is required to ensure that the activities planned by the commission represent the geographic and demographic diversity of the state, are accessible to people with disabilities, and are accessible to communities throughout the state on an equitable basis. The commission is also authorized to represent the state in official dealings with the United States semi-quincentennial commission and the America250 foundation.”

In late fall of last year, once the commission was formed, Montrose County Commissioner Sue Hansen was contacted by former state Sen. Ellen Roberts. Roberts asked Hansen to chair the local efforts for Delta, Gunnison and Montrose counties.

“The state would like to see statewide effort, and each (region) can kind of do what they want,” Hansen said.
Hansen then put together a group of local leaders interested in helping spur the planning efforts ahead. Last month, that group had its first meeting, gathering at the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose to kick things off.

A meeting of organizers last month. A statewide commission is planning a big 2026, as it will be Colorado’s 150th year as a state and America’s 250th as a country.
(Provided photo | Cathy Hoffman)

While plans are still in the very early stages, the local group has been looking to get other organizations involved.

Locally, that includes the “Botanical Gardens, museums, Magic Circle Players, the Valley Symphony, and any group that might want to be involved,” according to Hansen.

Hansen said they are looking to celebrate and educate about not only the history of the state and the country but also of the local area.
“We will want to make sure we stand out as a region, so people will come and learn more about what’s unique about our area,” she said. “So we’ve decided to adopt ‘What Happened Here’ type signs.”

The signs will likely include something like a QR code, so people can drive by, scan from their smartphones, and gather information about the place they’re visiting.

Local organizers are looking to start putting stories together so they can fill a future app with plenty of historical information.
But the group is still open to ideas on how to properly celebrate Colorado’s 150th (and America’s 250th).

“We’re encouraging the city and the county and different nonprofits that have organizations just tag onto what they’re already doing, but put a twist on it to celebrate how great we are,” she said.

Anyone who wants to get involved is encouraged to do so .

Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.