Colorado State Holidays

Official Colorado State Holidays and local observances vary across the year, making it essential to have a reliable local calendar. While federal closures apply across the United States, Colorado officially recognizes unique state legal holidays and community observances deeply rooted in its stunning Rocky Mountain history. Select a section below to explore official closure dates, discover top state parks, browse annual mountain festivals, and dive into fascinating state facts!

Colorado State Holidays
(The Official Closures)

In addition to standard U.S. Federal Holidays, the State of Colorado officially observes one specific state holiday where all state offices, courts, and public agencies close:

• Frances Xavier Cabrini Day – Observed on Monday, October 5, 2026. In 2020, Colorado became the first state in the nation to replace Columbus Day with a paid state holiday honoring Mother Cabrini, an Italian-American patron saint of immigrants who established dozens of schools and orphanages across Colorado. Date Rule: Observed annually on the first Monday in October.

Here is a list of the 2026 Colorado State Holidays from the State of Colorado government website!

Bank Closures & Schedules

• Commercial Banking Schedules – While national banks follow the standard Federal Reserve calendar, local bank branches and state-chartered credit unions across the state typically mirror official state government holiday closures. Always call your local branch ahead of time to verify specific drive-thru and lobby hours on state-specific holidays.

Local Colorado Observance Days/Weeks

These are designated commemorative periods across the state. They do not involve state office closures, but they are officially recognized by Colorado state statutes or regional emergency management agencies:

Other Unique Colorado Observances:

• Colorado Day – Observed annually on August 1 (Fixed historical date celebrating the anniversary of Colorado officially becoming the 38th U.S. State in 1776).

Weather & Environment-Related Colorado Observances:

• Colorado Climate Disasters Awareness Week – Observed January 25–29, 2027 (Date Rule: Held annually during the last full week of January to unite environmental groups at the State Capitol, focusing on the economic and human costs of extreme wildfires, flooding, and droughts)

• Colorado Spring Safety Campaign – Celebrated from April 1 through June 30 every year (A seasonal focus on rapid Rocky Mountain snowmelt flooding risks, severe spring thunderstorms, lightning hazards, and early wildfire prevention).

• Colorado Summer Safety Campaign – Celebrated from June 1 through August 31 every year (Statewide alerts focusing on summer extreme heat parameters, mountain flash flooding dangers, and peak summer wildfire safety).

• Colorado Fall Safety Campaign – Celebrated from September 1 through December 31 every year (Focusing on early high-elevation blizzards, windstorms, and seasonal dust storm hazards across the plains).

• Colorado Winter Safety Campaign – Celebrated from November 1 through April 30 every year (A multi-month public safety focus on winter driving hazards, mountain snow avalanche alerts, and extreme freezing weather preparedness).

Map of Colorado

Colorado Trivia

• The Highest State in America: Colorado has the highest average elevation of any state in the country at 6,800 feet, and it is home to more than 50 mountain peaks that tower over 14,000 feet high, known locally as "Fourteeners."

• The True Birthplace of the Cheeseburger: The trademark for the name "cheeseburger" was officially awarded in 1935 to Louis Ballast, who crafted the iconic cheese-topped burger at his Humpty Dumpty Drive-In located in Denver, Colorado.

• The World's Deepest Geothermal Hot Springs: Located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, the Great Pagosa Hot Spring plunges down more than 1,002 feet deep into the earth, making it officially recognized as the deepest natural geothermal hot spring on Earth.

State Facts, History & Symbols

Explore the core identity and rich heritage of the region with our comprehensive guide to its official state history, symbols, and unique characteristics:

• Colorado became the 38th State on August 1, 1876

• Colorado State Abbreviation: CO

• Colorado State Capital:  Denver

• Colorado State Amphibian: Western Tiger Salamander

• Colorado State Animal: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

• Colorado State Bird: Lark Bunting

• Colorado State Butterfly/Insect: Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly

• Colorado State Cactus: Claret Cup Cactus

• Colorado State Fish: Greenback Cutthroat Trout

• Colorado State Flower: Rocky Mountain Columbine

• Colorado State Folk Dance: Square Dance

• Colorado State Gemstone: Aquamarine

• Colorado State Mineral: Rhodocrosite

• Colorado State Motto: Nil Sine Numine

• Colorado State Nickname: The Centennial State

• Colorado State Pets: Rescue Dogs & Cats

• Colorado State Reptile: Western Painted Turtle

• Colorado State Rock: Yule Marble

• Colorado State Summer Heritage Sport: Pack Burro Racing

• Colorado State Tree: Colorado Blue Spruce

Colorado State Flag

Overview of Colorado

Colorado, proudly known as the Centennial State, is a magnificent mountain destination defined by the soaring peaks of the Southern Rocky Mountains, expansive plains, and stunning desert canyons. Famous for its world-class ski resorts, pristine alpine lakes, and thriving outdoor adventure culture, Colorado seamlessly blends rich wild-west mining history with breathtaking natural beauty. Watch the official tourism showcase below to explore the high-altitude wonders, national forests, and popular destination cities across Colorado:

Ten Best Places to Visit in Colorado:

Colorado Festivals & Events

Discover the most popular celebrations in the region with our curated list of the top 5 festivals and events, complete with their verified dates and annual scheduling rules.

• National Western Stock Show and Rodeo – January 10–25, 2026 in Denver (Date Rule: Opens annually on the first Saturday after New Year's Day and runs for 16 consecutive days, celebrating western agricultural history, livestock auctions, and professional rodeo circuits).

• Colorado Shakespeare Festival – Observed June through August, 2026 at the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre in Boulder (Date Rule: Held annually across the full summer season, presenting professional classic theater under the stars).

• Great American Beer Festival – Observed October 8–10, 2026 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver (Date Rule: Celebrated annually over a three-day weekend in early October as the nation's premier public beer tasting and competition event).

National Parks in Colorado

• Black Canyon of the Great Gunnison – Located near Montrose (Features some of the steepest cliffs and oldest exposed rock spires in North America, carved deeply over millions of years by the Gunnison River).

• Great Sand Dunes National Park – Located near Alamosa (Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, nestled dramatically right against the base of the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains).

• Mesa Verde National Park – Located in southwestern Colorado (Preserves over 5,000 archaeological sites, including some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings in the world).

• Rocky Mountain National Park – Located near Estes Park (Famous for its dramatic alpine tundra landscapes, towering peaks, and Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved highway in North America).

For additional information on National Parks in Colorado, visit the National Park Service.

State Parks in Colorado

Colorado features 42 magnificent state parks managing stunning reservoirs, backcountry trails, and scenic rock formations. Here are the Top 5 most visited state parks:

• Cherry Creek State Park – Located in Aurora (A massive urban oasis featuring a large open water reservoir popular for boating, jet-skiing, camping, and multi-use paved trails).

• Chatfield State Park – Located in Littleton (Nestled right against the rolling foothills, offering exceptional bird watching, public floating docks, and vast off-leash dog training areas).

• Castlewood Canyon State Park – Located near Franktown (Features a unique walking canyon, historic homestead ruins, and scenic hiking trails tracking the remains of the historic Castlewood Dam).

• Roxborough State Park – Located southwest of Denver (Renowned for its dramatic, near-vertical red rock formations, quiet hiking trails, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities).

• Eldorado Canyon State Park – Located near Boulder (A world-famous destination for technical rock climbing, featuring sheer sandstone cliffs and scenic hiking trails tracking South Boulder Creek).

Explore the full directory using the official Colorado Parks and Wildlife Portal.

The State Parks website is a great resource to find detailed information on all of the State Parks as well as the National Parks:  https://www.stateparks.com/co.html

Colorado Resources

• Colorado State Governor's Office - Home Page | Colorado Governor Jared Polis

Colorado State Web Portal - https://www.colorado.gov/

• Colorado Tourism - Official State Visitors Guide - https://www.colorado.com/

• Colorado - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado

• Colorado (U.S. National Park Service)

Pinterest Board of Colorado

Holidays and Observances Colorado Board – Follow our dedicated visual board for hand-picked Rocky Mountain inspiration! Discover gorgeous photography of gold-medal trout streams, autumn aspen foliage hikes, and historic train lines across the Centennial State.