11 Colorado State Holidays 2025

In the state of Colorado, we value our holidays and traditions. From the familiar favorites like New Year’s Day and Christmas to the more unique observances like Colorado Day and the Denver Post Parade of Lights, there’s something for everyone to enjoy throughout the year. In 2025, Colorado residents can look forward to a diverse lineup of state holidays, each with its own special significance and opportunities for celebration.

New Year’s Day, the first holiday of the year, falls on Thursday, January 1st, 2025. This federal holiday marks the beginning of a new calendar year and is often celebrated with fireworks, parties, and resolutions. In Colorado, many people choose to spend New Year’s Day skiing or snowboarding in the state’s renowned mountain resorts.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is observed on Monday, January 20th, 2025. This day is dedicated to promoting equality and social justice, and many people volunteer their time to community service projects in honor of Dr. King’s work. In Denver, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Marade takes place on this day, featuring a parade, live music, and speeches.

New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day is a federal holiday in the United States, observed on January 1 every year. It marks the beginning of the new calendar year and is a time for celebration and reflection. In Colorado, New Year’s Day is a paid holiday for state employees.

Many people celebrate New Year’s Day with parades, fireworks, and parties. It is also a popular time to make resolutions for the coming year. Some common resolutions include losing weight, getting in shape, and spending more time with loved ones.

The following table provides more information about New Year’s Day in Colorado:

Year	Date	Day of the Week
2025	January 1	Wednesday

New Year’s Day is a day to celebrate new beginnings and look forward to the year ahead. It is a time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the future. It is also a time to spend with loved ones and enjoy the simple things in life.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday of January in honor of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The holiday was established in 1983 and was first celebrated in 1986. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day of celebration and reflection, and it is often used as a time to volunteer in the community or participate in other service-oriented activities.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929. He became a prominent leader of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. King was a strong advocate for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience. He led the Montgomery bus boycott, the Selma to Montgomery marches, and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day to remember the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. It is a day to celebrate the progress that has been made in the fight for civil rights, and it is a day to recommit to the work that still needs to be done.

Year	Date
2025	Monday, January 20, 2025

Presidents’ Day

Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday of February (Presidents’ Day). It’s a day to honor all the men who have served as President of the United States, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.

History of Presidents’ Day

Presidents’ Day was first established in 1868 as Washington’s Birthday, honoring the first President of the United States, George Washington. In 1968, it was changed to Presidents’ Day to honor all U.S. Presidents, both past and present.

How is Presidents’ Day Celebrated?

Presidents’ Day is a day for reflection and gratitude. Many people attend parades, participate in community service projects or spend time with loved ones.

Here are some popular ways to celebrate Presidents’ Day:

Activity
Attend a parade
Visit a presidential library or museum
Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter
Have a picnic or barbecue
Watch a movie about a U.S. President

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed in the United States on the last Monday in May. It is a day to remember and honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day was first established as Decoration Day in 1868 by General John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans’ organization. The first Decoration Day was observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Memorial Day in Colorado

In Colorado, Memorial Day is a state holiday. Many state offices and businesses are closed on Memorial Day, and many events are held to honor the fallen.

What to do on Memorial Day in Colorado

There are many things to do on Memorial Day in Colorado. Some popular activities include:

Visiting a cemetery to pay respects to the fallen.
Attending a Memorial Day parade.
Participating in a Memorial Day ceremony.
Spending time with family and friends.
Grilling or having a picnic.
Going for a hike or bike ride.
Visiting a museum or historical site.
Seeing a movie or attending a concert.

Year	Date
2025	Monday, May 26

Independence Day

date: Friday, July 4, 2025

observance: Colorado celebrates Independence Day on July 4th. This federal holiday commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which declared the 13 American colonies’ independence from Great Britain.

closure: State offices, schools, and many businesses will be closed on this day.

activities: Many communities in Colorado hold parades, festivals, and fireworks displays to celebrate Independence Day. Denver’s Independence Day celebration takes place at Civic Center Park and features a parade, live music, food vendors, a beer garden, and a fireworks show.

history: The first Independence Day celebration in Colorado was held in Denver in 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War.

Fun Facts About Independence Day

Here are some interesting facts about Independence Day:

	Fun Fact		Details
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.	The Declaration of Independence was actually signed on August 2, 1776.
The first Independence Day celebration was held in Philadelphia in 1777.	The first Independence Day celebration was actually held in Bristol, Rhode Island, in 1774.
Fireworks have been a part of Independence Day celebrations since the 18th century.	Fireworks were first used to celebrate Independence Day in 1777.

Labor Day

Labor Day is a federal holiday celebrated in the United States on the first Monday of September. It recognizes the contributions of American workers and the labor movement. The holiday was first proposed in 1882 by the Knights of Labor, a trade union representing workers in various industries. In 1894, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a federal holiday.

History

The origins of Labor Day can be traced back to the labor movement of the late 19th century. During this time, workers faced harsh working conditions, low wages, and long hours. The Knights of Labor organized strikes and protests to demand better treatment for workers, including an eight-hour workday, a six-day workweek, and a living wage.

Traditions

Labor Day is traditionally celebrated with parades, picnics, barbecues, and other social gatherings. Many people also take advantage of the long weekend to go camping, hiking, or otherwise enjoy the outdoors.

Economic Impact

Labor Day is a significant economic event, as it is one of the last major holidays of the summer. Businesses often offer sales and promotions to attract customers, and many people spend money on travel, entertainment, and other activities.

Observance in Colorado

In Colorado, Labor Day is a state holiday. Government offices, schools, and many businesses are closed on this day. Colorado also has a law that requires employers to provide employees with a paid day off on Labor Day.

Additional Information

Here are some additional interesting facts about Labor Day:

Year	First Labor Day Celebration
1882	New York City
1884	Observed in 23 states and the District of Columbia
1894	Becomes a federal holiday
1930	Moved to the first Monday of September by Congress

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed in the United States on November 11 to honor and thank all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

In Colorado, Veterans Day is observed on November 11, 2025.

Many businesses and government offices are closed on Veterans Day, including:

State government offices
County government offices
City government offices
Public schools
Libraries
Banks
Post offices

Retail stores and restaurants may be open on Veterans Day, but some may offer discounts or promotions to veterans.

There are many ways to celebrate Veterans Day in Colorado, including:

Attending a parade
Visiting a veterans memorial
Donating to a veterans organization
Volunteering your time at a veterans hospital
Simply saying “thank you” to a veteran

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a day set aside for giving thanks for the blessings of the past year. Thanksgiving Day is a time for family gatherings, traditional meals, and expressions of gratitude.

History of Thanksgiving

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians in 1621. The Pilgrims had come to America seeking religious freedom and had endured a difficult first year in the New World. After a successful harvest, they held a feast to give thanks for their blessings. The Wampanoag Indians, who had helped the Pilgrims survive, were invited to the feast.

Traditions of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated with a variety of traditions, including:

Family gatherings

Thanksgiving Day is a time for family gatherings. People travel from all over the country to spend time with their loved ones.

Traditional meals

The traditional Thanksgiving Day meal includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

Expressions of gratitude

Thanksgiving Day is a time for expressing gratitude. People give thanks for their health, their families, their homes, and all the other good things in their lives.

Football

Many people watch football on Thanksgiving Day. The NFL has a long tradition of playing games on Thanksgiving Day.

Parades

Many cities and towns hold parades on Thanksgiving Day. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is one of the most famous parades in the world.

Shopping

The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. People line up outside stores in the early morning hours to take advantage of sales.

Year	Date
2025	November 27

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is a federal holiday in the United States, celebrated on December 25th. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, and is a widely celebrated holiday around the world.

Historical Background

The origins of Christmas can be traced back to the Roman Catholic Church in the 4th century, when Pope Julius I declared December 25th as the official date for the celebration of Christ’s birth. The date was chosen to coincide with the pagan Roman festival of Saturnalia, which was celebrated around the winter solstice.

Traditions and Celebrations

Christmas is a time for family, friends, and gift-giving. Many people attend church services on Christmas Day, and families often gather for a special meal. Traditional Christmas meals may include turkey, ham, or roast beef, along with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and other side dishes.

Gift-Giving

Gift-giving is an important part of Christmas tradition. In the United States, children often hang stockings on Christmas Eve, hoping that Santa Claus will fill them with toys and treats. Adults often exchange gifts with each other as well.

Decorations

Christmas decorations are ubiquitous during the holiday season. Homes, businesses, and public spaces are often adorned with Christmas trees, lights, and other festive decorations.

Christmas Markets

Christmas markets are popular destinations during the holiday season. These markets offer a variety of Christmas-themed goods, including decorations, gifts, and food.

Holiday Shopping

The weeks leading up to Christmas are a busy time for retailers. Many people take advantage of holiday sales and promotions to purchase gifts for their loved ones.

Travel

Many people travel during the Christmas season to visit family and friends or to take a vacation. Airlines and other transportation providers often offer holiday discounts and promotions.

School Closures

Schools are typically closed during the Christmas holiday season. This gives students and teachers a chance to spend time with their families and celebrate the holiday.

Government Offices Closed

Government offices are also typically closed on Christmas Day. This includes federal, state, and local government offices.

Date	Holiday
December 25, 2025	Christmas Day

Juneteenth National Independence Day

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is observed on the 19th of June, the anniversary of the arrival of the US Army in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, which brought the news of the end of slavery to the last remaining enslaved people in the United States.

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, and Colorado has been observing it as a state holiday since 2020.

History of Juneteenth

The holiday originated in Texas, where it was first celebrated in 1866. It was officially recognized as a state holiday in Texas in 1980 and has since been recognized as a state holiday in 48 other states, including Colorado.

Juneteenth Celebrations

Juneteenth is typically celebrated with parades, festivals, and other events commemorating the end of slavery and the freedom of African Americans. The day is also used to reflect on the history of slavery and the ongoing fight for racial justice.

Juneteenth in Colorado

In Colorado, Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday and is typically observed with a variety of events and activities, including:

Parades
Festivals
Educational programs
Community gatherings

Date	Holiday
June 19, 2025	Juneteenth National Independence Day

Colorado State Holidays 2025

In 2025, Colorado will observe the following state holidays:

New Year’s Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20)
Washington’s Birthday (February 17)
Memorial Day (May 26)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (September 1)
Columbus Day (October 13)
Veterans Day (November 11)
Thanksgiving Day (November 27)
Christmas Day (December 25)

These holidays are recognized by state law and are typically observed by state government offices, public schools, and many businesses. Some holidays may also be observed by federal government offices and businesses.