On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will observe the 250th anniversary (the Semiquincentennial) of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the defining moment in our nation’s history. One month later, on August 1, 2026, Colorado will celebrate 150 years (the Sesquicentennial) of statehood. As the “Centennial State,” Colorado is the only state that will observe twin anniversaries, also known as the Sesquisemiquincentennial. These milestones present a rare and exciting opportunity to unite with fellow Coloradoans and Americans, reaffirm our shared ideals, collectively envision a future we can be proud of, and inspire hope and a sense of progress.
The America 250-Colorado 150 Commission, which was signed into law by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, is housed and managed within the non-profit History Colorado. The Commission aims to honor the diverse and complex blend of people who have called this region home, dating back to Ancestral Puebloan times. Statewide initiatives include an oral history project, an educational film series, historical exhibits and publications, new and improved historical markers, and digital statewide passports for students. There will also be a genuinely unique opportunity to embark on an environmentally conscious, once-in-a-lifetime, coordinated climb of the Colorado “14ers,” scheduled for summer 2026.
The Commission designated the eight counties of Southwest Colorado (Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Montezuma, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel) and the two tribes (Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute) as the Mountains and Mesa region, one of eight unique regions in Colorado. This region, chaired by Former State Senator Ellen Roberts and supported by dozens of volunteers, celebrated with a kick-off reception for the Southwest Colorado community at the D&SNG Railroad Museum in Durango in November 2024.
Southwest Colorado commemoration plans focus on four pillars that highlight the remarkable heritage, natural beauty, and deep-rooted sense of community in Southwest Colorado. Here is a glimpse into each pillar.
Sing Colorado!
The signature pillar Sing Colorado! is a vibrant celebration of Colorado’s rich history and culture through music. Events will include curated choral and other productions showcasing music that captures the spirit and legacy of Colorado, creating a unifying experience for residents and visitors alike. It’s a chance to connect with our past, take pride in our shared heritage, and celebrate the inimitable cultural tapestry that is Colorado.
Sing Colorado! includes a toolkit for performing arts leaders, musicians, and teachers to support communities that want to coordinate musical performances to celebrate our Colorado heritage in song and music. It includes a Spotify playlist curated especially for Colorado music, sample programs offered as guidance for 2026 commemoration performances, creative curriculum ideas, a musical database, and history notes on musical pieces. Concerts will be held across the region throughout 2026. The Durango Barbershoppers kicked off a year of musical celebrations with a performance at the La Plata County Fair in August.
Oral History
Southwest Colorado is building a comprehensive archive of oral histories across its eight counties, capturing the voices and stories that have shaped the region. Using this resource, planning is underway for the “Moments that Made the US: Southwest Colorado Stories” project, which brings together oral histories and essential artifacts from the eight counties within the Southwest Colorado region. Working in conjunction with History Colorado’s western States’ master “Moments that Made US” exhibit, the Southwest Colorado version will localize the State’s exhibit by pairing objects and relevant oral history(s), weaving together the stories of how each county in the Southwest Colorado region came to be what they are today and what might be in store for the future.
The end goal is a hybrid digital-physical exhibit that will be simultaneously hosted by various community organizations across the region within libraries, community centers, government buildings, museums, and historical societies throughout 2026. Using a touch-screen device that includes photos and stories of artifacts from other counties, viewers can gain an understanding of the broader region’s history and evolution.
Passport Program
Designed for fourth graders in 2025 and 2026, this interactive passport program is not just a fun activity, but also a valuable educational tool. It guides young students on trails throughout the eight-county region, with engaging activities to learn about local history. Created using input from fourth graders and their teachers from across Southwest Colorado, the online and printed passport is packed with interesting regional places to visit throughout the year. It’s an excellent way for young students to learn about our regional history and for families to explore these destinations together, keeping everyone informed and engaged.
Additionally, a commemorative magazine for adults will be ready for distribution this fall, featuring a similar passport trail to encourage the broader community to explore and connect with the region’s heritage.
The Power of Place
The Power of Place pillar explores the unique geography, climate, and culture of Southwestern Colorado, highlighting how these elements have shaped the region’s people and history. This pillar will be interpreted through exhibits and publications by five respected local organizations: the Animas Museum, the Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College, the Powerhouse Science Center, and Mountain Studies Institute. Each organization will share its perspective on what roots us here, from the Ancestral Puebloan days to the present. A Power of Place Nature Camp for fifth and sixth graders kicked off this program in Durango last summer. The students studied the natural and human history of the region with field trips to Silverton, Andrews Lake, and the Animas Museum.
What is the intense pull that this region, with its rugged mountains, winding rivers, and rich cultural history, has had in bringing to humans a sense of wonder and delight in this rural, remote corner of Colorado? Scenic beauty is part of the answer, but it’s more than that. Join your friends and neighbors to explore these intriguing topics, taking this special moment to reflect on our dual state and national commemorations and consider how humans have impacted the land and one another, for better or worse.
Learn more about the celebratory events in the region at Colorado150Southwest.org and Colorado’s celebrations at HistoryColorado/org/Colorado-150.
–By Kathy Myrick
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