Celebrate Colorado! Governor Polis Invites Coloradans to Celebrate 148th Annual Colorado Day

Celebrate Colorado will feature week of events and festivities in communities across the state

COLORADO - Today, Governor Polis announced the return of Celebrate Colorado, a week-long, statewide celebration of everything Colorado. August 1st marks the 148th anniversary of Colorado's entrance into the Union as the 38th state, now celebrated as Colorado Day. In honor of Colorado Day, statewide celebrations will take place starting today, July 26, 2024 through August 4, 2024. Celebrate Colorado is a great opportunity to come together and show support for local businesses and community organizations.

"Everyday is Colorado Day in our beautiful state, and as we move toward our sesquicentennial we look back on how far Colorado has come and take pride in the steps we are taking to ensure a strong future for all Coloradans. Celebrate Colorado is an opportunity to support local business, get outside, and strengthen our communities. Colorado continues to be the best state to live, work and play, and I am excited to join you all in getting out to celebrate all things Colorado," said Governor Polis.

Celebrate Colorado with friends and family at more than 400 upcoming festivals, county fairs, art exhibitions, farmers' markets, concerts, and other community events. A wide variety of celebrations highlighting Colorado's culture are happening all across the state, visit the Celebrate Colorado map for inspiration on how to join in on the festivities.

This year, hundreds of Colorado businesses and organizations are participating in Colorado Day festivities.

A few of the upcoming events include:

• July 27 - The 86th Annual Bronc Day Festival in Green Mountain Falls
• July 27-28 -The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan's Lake Park.
• August 1 - Free tours at the Governor's Residence and events at the State Capitol on Colorado Day
• August 2, 4-9 pm - State 38 Distilling will host the 4th Annual Colorado Day Whiskey Release for a Bourbon whiskey finished in a rum barrel from Montanya Distillers.
• August 3 - Colorado Day at the History Colorado Center
• August 5 - Free Admission into All Colorado State Parks, courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and an assortment of events at state parks throughout the week

There will also be free and discounted summer events around Colorado:

• 30% off admission at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver and Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport in celebration of their 30th anniversary from July 27 to August 4 by using the code: COLO30
• 50% off online tickets to the Denver Zoo after 2 pm during Celebrate Colorado (July 26 to August 4)
• 20% off admission to the Denver Nature and Science Museum's "Orcas: Our Shared Future" exhibit
• Dozens of farmers' markets across the state to buy local food and support farmers and ranchers.
• County fairs and rodeos all over the state
• Free concert series in Gunnison, Erie, Loveland, Lakewood, Grand Lake, Steamboat Springs, Durango, and Denver at the Levitt Pavilion and the Butterfly Pavilion

In 1876, Colorado became known as the Centennial State because it became a state one hundred years after the United States became a nation. In 2026, Colorado will celebrate its Sesquicentennial, commemorating 150 years of statehood and 250 years of America

To view the full list of over 440 events the state is highlighting visit celebrate.colorado.gov/.

Here's what a few of the participating organizations are saying about Celebrate Colorado:

"By participating in this Celebrate Colorado Day, we can engage the community in the wonders of space and science, while also inspiring the next generation of explorers," said Dr. Terry Bramschreiber, Director of Space Foundation Discovery Center and Accreditation. "On August 1, Colorado residents can enjoy free admission to honor the state's pivotal role and contributions to the aerospace industry."

"Southeast Colorado invites you to experience a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and warm hospitality during the Celebrate Colorado Week. Our corner of the state offers breathtaking landscapes, amazing sunsets, charming communities, and a rich history. We hope that you will explore the wonders of the Canyons and Plains and discover what makes Southeastern Colorado such a special, and unique, part of Colorado," said the Mayor of Lamar, Kirk Crespin.

"State 38 Distilling is so excited to be part of Celebrate Colorado again this year. Our Golden based distillery is named after Colorado, the 38th state and we take great pride in our Colorado heritage. Join us for the release of our limited edition Colorado Day whiskey on Friday, Aug 2! Come celebrate the release from 4-9pm that night and enjoy drinks, food, sweets, local artists, and fun activities for kids," said Marketing Director Christin Eriksen.

"For many families, a new school year is less about the excitement of starting the next grade and more about the anxiety of paying for new supplies, especially with inflation upping the cost of those supplies," said Chelsea Carver, chief development officer of Mile High United Way. "We're asking the community to come together again to help kids start school on the right foot with everything they need to be successful."

"We are thrilled to be hosting the Fruita Farmers Market on Saturday mornings at Reed Park (250 S Elm St. Fruita) during Celebrate Colorado week, a wonderful opportunity to showcase the vital role agriculture plays in our community," said Kayla Bowers, Executive Director of the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce. "This event not only supports local farmers and artisans but also provides a vibrant space for residents and visitors to connect and enjoy fresh produce, meat, baked goods, and handcrafted items. Visit fruitafarmersmarket.org for more information."

"We are excited to Celebrate Colorado again this year! Stop into EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum to say hi during free admission days, and learn more about STEM in Colorado. We hope you enjoy the many opportunities across our beautiful state, and look forward to hosting you here in Grand Junction," said EUREKA! Executive Director, Jenn Moore.

"Growing up in Colorado instilled in me a deep appreciation for our state's natural beauty and community spirit. As the Executive Director of the Craig Chamber of Commerce & Moffat County Visitor Center, I'm now lucky enough to give back to this wonderful state. During Celebrate Colorado week, Craig is thrilled to host the Moffat County Hot Air Balloon Festival from August 2-4th, a spectacular event that showcases our vibrant community and stunning landscapes," said Jennifer Holloway, Executive Director

"Picasso & Vino is excited to be CELEBRATING COLORADO! We believe in providing a way to bring people together in a creative & fun environment. We are often inspired by the beautiful nature of Colorado when making our paintings & are proud to offer a discounted painting class on August 2nd at both of our locations on the Western Slope, Durango & Pagosa Springs. We'll be painting the state flower!" said Jadi Dietsch & Karen Roberts - Picasso & Vino.

"Colorado Day is a special opportunity for us to celebrate the vibrant community and rich history of our great state. At Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, we are dedicated to fostering and promoting the sports economy in Colorado Springs and Celebrate Colorado week allows us to showcase our commitment to these values. Our mission is to inspire and advance Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA, through sport and community events. During Celebrate Colorado, we are hosting the Paris 2024 Downtown Summerfest in partnership with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, an event that honors our Olympic heritage and brings the community together for a day of sports-filled fun and inspiration," said Megan Leatham, President & CEO of Colorado Springs Sports Corporation.

"Come join us at this year's 2024 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival happening July 27th & 28th at Sloan's Lake Park in Denver! We are the Rocky Mountain's largest AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander) celebration and the largest Dragon Boat festival in the USA! Admission is free and we hope to immerse everyone in the amazing art and culture from our community! For more information, please check out our website at www.cdbf.org," said Sara Moore, Executive Director.

"As we come together to Celebrate Colorado, we honor the spirit of innovation and exploration that defines our great state. This year, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum proudly celebrates 30 years of educating, inspiring and exciting visitors about the wonder and awe of aviation and space. Join us in celebrating with 30% off admission to Wings from July 27-August 4th. Together, we soar to new heights, inspiring future generations to reach for the stars," said Wings Over the Rockies' President and CEO, Maj Gen. John Barry, U.S. Air Force (Ret).

"I am a fourth generation Colorado native and truly love my state! The Overland Trail Museum in Sterling, Colorado tells the stories of the people that braved the prairie life and made this land their home - from the native people to the settlers that arrived to take advantage of the 1862 Homestead Act. We are thrilled to be dedicating our 1876, 38 star American flag on Colorado Day, the day that Colorado became the 38th state!" said Kay L Brigham Rich, Museum Curator at Overland Trail Museum.

"We are Colorado Proud at Mercadillo en el Rio at Rio Grande Farm Park! Our park offers Coloradans family garden plots, commercial plots, education, and recreation. With our farmers at the heart of it all, experience Colorado's only naturally grown on-site vibrant Farmers Market with Heart Mercadillo en el Rio Wednesdays, 3pm-7pm through October 2nd, in 6935 CO-17 Alamosa CO!" said Fernando Herrera, Market and Outreach Coordinator.

"'The Mountains are calling and I must go.' We are using that slogan in our Huerfano County Summer Scavenger Hunt. The Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce is working to promote the businesses and community through events that highlight our beautiful area. Another time honored event is the Gardner Chuckwagon Supper August 3rd. We invite everyone to come and experience the raw beauty of the Huerfano River Valley 25 miles West of I-25 on State Highway 69," said Bradley Reitmair, Business Development Manager, Huerfano County Economic Development & Chamber of Commerce.

"The Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) is thrilled to celebrate Colorado Day since WMMI preserves the rich history of Colorado's mining, ranching and associated industries that formed our great State! On the WMMI campus, guests can see buildings and hear equipment from the late 1800s while learning about the past, present, and future of mining in Colorado, the world, and beyond. Our staff and volunteers are proud to enhance the experience of locals and visitors to Colorado. This year for Celebrate Colorado, WMMI offers our Western Saloon Night (WSN) which includes live music from Front Range Highway Band, tastings from 1350 Distilling, entertainment from local artists, meals from local food trucks and more during this annual FUN-raiser. More information about this August 3rd event is available at www.wmmi.org!" said Grant Dewey, Executive Director of the Western Museum of Mining and Industry.

"Colorado is important to The Abriendo Inn because like our location, Abriendo Avenue in Pueblo, which means "the open road" in Spanish, Pueblo is a gateway to many wonderful destinations in the southern half of the state. We are within a two hour drive to many wonderful Colorado destinations like the Great Sand Dunes, the San Isabel National Forest, the Royal Gorge, Colorado Springs, Denver, the dinosaur tracks in La Junta, the site of the Ludlow Massacre in Aguilar to our own Historic Arkansas Riverwalk. Pueblo's history as a steel town and the hardworking, blue collar men and women who brought it to life have created a wonderful diversity of ethnicities. Our 2024 Summer Concert Series title Music, Malt & Mead in the Garden honors the wealth of music genres and musical talent this proud city produces," said Jeff and Cindy Bailey, Owners/Innkeepers of the Abriendo Inn.

"The Town of Silverthorne celebrates Colorado, and all of the state's natural beauty, vast recreational opportunities, and welcoming and diverse arts and culture each month during the Town's First Friday celebrations. On Friday, Aug. 2, Silverthorne's local artists and musicians take the stage during a community Block Party that celebrates what makes Silverthorne, and the greater Colorado community, so special," said Sydney Schwab, Arts and Culture Manager for the Town of Silverthorne.

"As Colorado's only mountaintop theme park, we can't wait to welcome our fellow Coloradoans and celebrate our state during Pickin' in the Plaza. From historic caves to record-breaking roller coasters, the attractions at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park can only be found in Colorado. Ride the scenic Glenwood Gondola to the top of Iron Mountain and enjoy live music of every genre at Pickin' in the Plaza, Monday to Friday from 4pm to 7pm," said Nancy Heard, General Manager of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

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