Happy Birthday, Colorado!
This year's Colorado Day is one for the history books! On August 1, Coloradans will celebrate not only the state's 150th anniversary but also America's 250th birthday... a rare milestone known as the Sesquisemiquincentennial. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor Colorado's rich history, incredible landscapes, and the communities that make the Centennial State so special.
Whether you're looking to hike a scenic trail, enjoy a hometown festival, visit a museum, explore a state park, or discover a new family adventure, Colorado Day is the perfect excuse to get out and celebrate. We've rounded up some of the best Colorado Day events happening across the state to help your family experience all the beauty, history, and adventure Colorado has to offer.
🎂 Museums
There are several museums in Colorado offering free admission, fun celebrations, and activities for the whole family.
Find participating museums here!
🎂 America 250 - Colorado 150
As Colorado marks 150 years of statehood and the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission invites you to the Sesquisemiquincentennial as a chance for Coloradans to come together, share stories, honor the people and places that have shaped the great state, and envision the next chapter of the collective future.
This statewide commemoration will feature special programs, exhibitions, educational initiatives, and community-led events in every corner of Colorado, inviting everyone to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime milestone.
For more information on America 250 - Colorado 150 events visit here.
🎂 Flat 14ers: Summit 2026
As Colorado prepares for 14er Climbs: Summit 2026 on Colorado Day (August 1, 2026) — a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of the state's Sesquisemiquincentennial — Colorado Parks and Wildlife is encouraging all Coloradans to get outside and reach new heights by experiencing a 14er in the way that works best for them.
Whether you hike a peak or choose our Flat 14ers: Summit 2026 option, CPW welcomes Coloradans of all abilities to get outside, honor our shared history, and celebrate the future we’re building together.
Get the details and your FREE printable here!
🎂 Drone Shows | Stories in the Sky
The America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission is taking its milestone celebrations to new heights with Stories in the Sky, a series of nearly 150 community drone shows lighting up Colorado's skies from September 2025 through December 2026, creating unforgettable moments for millions of Coloradans and visitors alike. This sweeping effort was developed in partnership with the Commission, Colorado Tourism Office and Visit Denver, and is built on two major programs working in concert through the end of 2026.
One program, the Stories in the Sky Statewide Series, sponsored by Chevron, Tallgrass, and UCHealth, and the Colorado Lottery, will bring dazzling drone shows to communities across Colorado. The tour kicks off on September 27, 2025, at the University of Colorado football game in Boulder and will travel across the state, from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope, throughout 2026.
The second program, Mile High Holidays Nightly Drone Spectacular, is hosted by Visit Denver. This beloved annual celebration will serve as a cornerstone of the anniversary festivities. The 40-night extravaganza will light up the Denver skyline nightly starting November 21, 2025, and continue throughout the 2025 holiday season, and will return for an encore in 2026.
🎂 Colorado Day at the Colorado State Capitol
Join us for an America 250–Colorado 150 Sesquisemiquincentennial Celebration at the Statehouse on Colorado Day, August 1, 2026!
See the schedule of events here.
🎂 Colorado Day at Union Station
Celebrate Colorado’s 150th birthday at Denver Union Station with Spirit of the Centennial State: a full day of FREE, family-friendly festivities honoring the culture, history, music, and flavors that make Colorado iconic.
See the schedule of events here.
🎂 Colorado Day in Golden
Celebrate Colorado’s sesquicentennial with a glimpse of 1870s life. Join us at Golden History Park for a day of family activities and local heritage.
See the schedule of events here.
However you choose to celebrate our great state, we hope you find a day full of family fun!
