Larimer County, Fort Collins issue joint proclamation recognizing Jan. 20 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Larimer County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 14 approved a joint County–City of Fort Collins proclamation designating Jan. 20, 2025 as Martin Luther King Jr. Observation and Commemoration Day and urged residents to reflect on Dr. King’s values and participate in local remembrance activities.

Commissioner Jody Shaddack McNally read the proclamation to the board, quoting Dr. King’s language about national unity and the "beloved community," and noting that the county’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board reviewed the proclamation draft. "We are all linked in this great chain of humanity," McNally read from the proclamation.

Commissioner John Kefalas said the annual observance honors progress toward unity and civil rights while recognizing the imperfections of any single leader. "Like most of us, like all of us, that person was not perfect," Kefalas said, adding that Dr. King’s work "accomplished a great deal to unify people." Commissioner Jody Shaddack McNally encouraged the day be treated as a day on, not a day off, and noted volunteer opportunities. Chair Kristen Stevens thanked the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board for its input on the proclamation and outlined local event logistics.

Stevens said the Fort Collins march begins at 1 p.m. at Washington Park, 301 Maple Street; the march proceeds to the Lory Student Center for a program that begins at 2 p.m. She said volunteers will collect warm clothing for Homeward Alliance with a donation site at Harmony Library and that volunteers will have an opportunity after the program to sort and bag donations for distribution.

The board voted 3-0 to adopt the joint proclamation. Commissioners noted the county will participate in the community celebration on Jan. 20 and coordinate volunteer efforts with city partners and local nonprofit groups.

The proclamation text recorded that the Jan. 20 observance recognizes Dr. King’s advocacy of nonviolent action to confront racism, poverty and war, and encouraged residents to pursue the values of service, belonging and democracy.

The proclamation was presented as a joint County–City action and staff said the City of Fort Collins participated in drafting the text. The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board reviewed the language before the board took a vote.