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Aerial view of Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado
ADOBE STOCK
Centennial Spirit:
Colorado Turns 150
Exhibitions, commemorative tours and statewide programs mark the state’s sesquicentennial in a year shared with America’s 250th.
By Amity Moore Joyce
Why is Colorado the Centennial State? Because it became a state on Aug. 1, 1876, 100 years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Join the party this year, as America celebrates its 250th birthday and Colorado’s 150th, an occasion known as America 250–Colorado 150.
Without even traveling, you can admire the Colorado Rockies, thanks to a new United States postage stamp featuring “Foggy Jagged Mountain, Weminuche Wilderness” by photographer John Fielder. The release of the stamp in late January coincides with an exhibition of Fielder’s work, “Mountains Majesty: On the Summit with John Fielder,” at the History Colorado Center in Denver. Make the trip to see how magnificently the colors of the seasonal mountain scenes pop when bathed in natural light. The exhibit closes Jan. 10, 2027.
Entrance to the “Moments That Made Us” exhibit
HISTORY COLORADO
Give yourself at least two hours to appreciate the other exhibits History Colorado has organized in honor of the state’s sesquicentennial. “Moments That Made Us” leans into the nation’s origins by bringing together 50 artifacts tied to turning points that shaped America, such as an 800-year-old corn cob, George Washington’s spurs, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and Jackie Robinson’s baseball bat. The impressive exhibit presents each artifact through multiple lenses, elevating perspectives that include Founding-era leaders as well as Black, Mexican American and Native voices. On display through Oct. 18, 2026, the exhibit is unique in that these items have never before been presented together.
38 Star Flag, 1876-1888, on display at the “38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State” exhibit
For travelers interested in Colorado’s rise to statehood, “38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State” is the exhibition to see through Sept. 6, 2026. A bit of trivia: It took four attempts before Colorado finally secured statehood. The exhibit digs into the why, who and what behind those bids.
While there was much hoopla in 1776 on the East Coast, something different was unfolding in what would become Colorado. Two Franciscan priests, Dominguez and Escalante, were exploring the Mountain West. “Expedition 1776: The Journey of Dominguez & Escalante,” available through Aug. 2, 2026, follows their adventures—some good, some funny and some during which they likely prayed a lot. Their journey helped lay the cartographical foundation for future settlement, including portions of the Old Spanish Trail that eventually connected the Rockies to the Pacific.
Another signature program is the Colorado Passport, which comprises several free, mobile-app passports released each month through September. Pick one theme—64 County Challenge, Do Colorado Right, Family Fun, 250/150 Celebration or others—and map out a road trip to hit the spots most alluring to you.
America 250 - Colorado 150 Commemoration Drone video
Throughout the year, look to the skies for drone shows. In total, 150 shows are planned statewide through December 2026, with the next one launching on March 28 in Estes Park.
If you find yourself hungry, sit down at one of the Harvest Table Dinners organized by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. These dinners recognize 150 years of agriculture by connecting diners to Colorado-grown products and producers. The dinners complement a 10-panel mural by artist Thomas “Detour” Evans that captures the roots, present and future of the state’s agriculture in paint. The 35-foot-long mural is traveling the state, with a confirmed stop at the Colorado State Fair in August in Pueblo.
Detour from the Expected mural video
Beyond exhibitions and events, the sesquicentennial is leaving a more permanent mark. History Colorado is adding 150 additional properties to the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, with a deliberate focus on places tied to historically underrepresented cultures. Currently, fewer than 4% of sites on the state register represent historically marginalized communities, so this initiative aims to more fully represent Colorado’s past.
History Colorado is also one of eight museums nationwide to welcome the Freedom Plane National Tour, organized by the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection, which includes the original engraving of the Declaration of Independence and a rare draft of the U.S. Constitution, will be on display in Denver from May 28 to June 14, 2026.
As America turns 250 and Colorado 150, the state isn’t just commemorating history; it’s honoring it, preserving it and inviting everyone to experience it.
SCENE’S OF COLORADO’S HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES
Ready to visit Colorado? Let a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent handle the logistics while you celebrate the beauty and history of the state.
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