America 250 / Colorado 150 Commemoration

In 2026, the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence - the nation’s semiquincentennial. At the same time, Colorado will mark the 150th anniversary of its entrance into the Union–the state’s sesquicentennial. These combined anniversaries provide an opportunity for us to come together with fellow Coloradans and Americans around our shared ideals.

The America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission is leading Colorado’s commemoration of 150 years of statehood and 250 years of American independence in 2026. Established by Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado General Assembly and housed at History Colorado, the Commission brings together leaders from across the state to guide this historic milestone.  

National Resources:

• The America 250 Organization
• America's Fieldtrip: America’s Field Trip is a contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of America’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the opportunity to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.
• From the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship in partnership with C-SPAN: Themed lessons that target the necessary skills (such as contextualization, comparison, evaluation, and analysis) students need to develop a deeper understanding of the complexities associated with the Declaration of Independence.
• The National Constitution Center will invite learners of all ages to rediscover the founding ideas that continue to shape our nation today, by offering:
  • A new Interactive Declaration of Independence, and
  • A new America at 250 Toolkit, with essays from leading scholars and interactive videos that allow for meaningful exploration of the founding documents

Colorado Resources:

Drone Shows: Stories in the Sky!

• Stories in the Sky — Statewide Series (2025–2026): Led by the America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission in partnership with the Colorado Tourism Office, Chevron, and UCHealth, this series will deliver an estimated 50+ free drone shows, produced by Brightflight Drone Shows, to communities across Colorado. These 12 signature anniversary events will launch September 27, 2025, at the CU Buffaloes football game and culminate in a grand finale in December 2026. For more information, visit the America 250 - Colorado 150 website.