Montrose held its first-ever community-wide celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, with events that brought residents together to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy despite single-digit temperatures and a light dusting of snow on the ground.

The day began with a dedication ceremony and remarks from local leaders and dignitaries at San Juan Brews, located next to Centennial Plaza. State Sen. Marc Catlin led the speeches, followed by Mayor J. David Reed, County Manager Frank Rodriguez and Montrose Press Publisher Dennis Anderson.

About 50 participants then marched downtown, singing songs in a spirited display of unity. The march culminated in a free-to-the-community luncheon at The Temple Events, where local humanitarians were honored with awards presented by Our Town Matters Founder and CEO Tonya Maddox, who also introduced the speakers at San Juan Brews earlier Monday morning.

“Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership, humility, and vision for a unified nation are what bring us here today to reflect—not only on who we are but where we are,” said Montrose County Manager Frank Rodriguez in his opening remarks. He emphasized the importance of unity and quoted Dr. King’s call to “rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.”

Mayor J. David Reed also addressed the crowd, sharing his hopes for a day when King’s dream would be fully realized. “We’ve made a lot of progress, but we’ve still got a long way to go,” Reed said. “By working together, striving together, and thinking of each other, we can make that happen.” The mayor officially declared Jan. 20 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Montrose, reading a proclamation during the ceremony. (Montrose County and the City of Montrose previously both approved proclamations.)

Senator Marc Catlin reflected on Dr. King’s impact on America despite his relatively short time on the national and world stage. “Think about this: a man comes on the scene in 1955, and by 1968, he has changed this country to the point that you and I recognize it today for what it is,” Catlin said. “He showed us that we can do things that are hard, and he did so with grace.”

Following the march, six local leaders were recognized for their humanitarian contributions:

• Garey Martinez – Founder, Shepherd’s Hand
• Richard Fike – Founder, Museum of the Mountain West
• Kevin Williams – Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA)
• Carol Parker – Founder, Valley Food Partnership/Farmers Market
• Amanda Gerhardt – Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans
• Joey Montoya Boese – Former Executive Director, Peer Kindness

The celebration extended into the afternoon with events around town. Montrose United Methodist Church hosted a packed house for a program featuring singing and quotes from Dr. King, while the Hispanic Affairs Project drew a large crowd for a screening of John Lewis: Good Trouble. Children in grades K-12 worked on art projects at the Our Town Matters building, celebrating Dr. King’s legacy through creativity. And there was a free story time session at Montrose Regional Library.

Service projects also took place throughout the community, further embodying the day’s spirit of giving back.

The Montrose MLK Day events were organized by a local initiative that included Our Town Matters, the Montrose Business Times, the Montrose Daily Press, Montrose County, Montrose Classical Academy, Montrose Regional Library District, Healthy Rhythm Art Gallery, San Juan Brews, and many other individuals and organizations.

“The best way to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day is to help someone,” Catlin said during his speech, echoing a theme of service. “Find something you can do to help your community, your neighbors, whatever it is that you’ve decided you would like to help with.”

By the day’s end, the message of unity, service, and hope carried through Montrose as residents came together to honor Dr. King’s legacy in what many hope will become an annual tradition. Maddox said the event was a success and that this 30th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is only the first — Montrose will continue to celebrate this day in the future.