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America 250/Colorado 150 commission outlines statewide programs and $5.5 million for communities
Summary
Katie Roche of the America 250/Colorado 150 commission presented plans May 19 for statewide sesquicentennial activities including a passport program, oral-history project, drone shows, exhibitions and a $5.5 million pledge from foundations to support community projects.
Katie Roche, program director for the America 250/Colorado 150 commission at History Colorado, briefed the Northglenn City Council on May 19 about statewide plans and resources for Colorado—s 150th anniversary in 2026.
Roche summarized signature initiatives that include a passport program in partnership with United Airlines and the Colorado Tourism Office to encourage travel to nominated sites; a statewide oral-history project to collect 150 stories; a portrait exhibition and a statehood-focused online exhibit; a planned series of 40 to 60 drone shows as capstone events; and a digital toolkit for local communities. She emphasized that communities may align existing programs rather than create new ones.
Roche said the commission was created by bipartisan legislation (Senate Bill 2022-11) signed by the governor in 2022 and that commission members include History Colorado, the Colorado Tourism Office and representatives from cultural, philanthropic and tribal communities.
She announced that six foundations have pledged $5,500,000 to support community organizations, tribal governments and 501(c)(3) groups seeking to produce programs and capital projects tied to the sesquicentennial. Roche said the foundations will make grants directly; communities will submit short project descriptions on the commission—s website and may be invited to submit full applications following the commission—s review.
Roche also described educational materials and teacher professional-development opportunities timed for 2026 and said some resources, including a passport feature, will be accessible through the MyColorado app. Council members asked about partnerships with cultural districts, the SCFD and veterans and civic organizations; Roche said the commission is actively engaging those groups and welcomed local connections.
The presentation was informational; council expressed general support and staff said they will work with the commission on local event planning and potential budget requests for the 2026 fiscal cycle.
