Colorado House adopts resolution recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month

The Colorado House of Representatives adopted Senate Joint Resolution 7 recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month after floor debate and a roll-call vote. The chamber approved the resolution by a reported vote of 62 yes, 0 no and 3 excused.

The resolution, read into the record by the clerk, recounts the founding of the observance by Carter G. Woodson in 1926 and notes its evolution into Black History Month, nationally recognized in 1976. It lists both national and Colorado figures cited to illustrate the state’s Black history, including Barney Ford and Clara Brown, and references local pioneers and civic leaders.

Assistant Majority Leader Bacon, speaking in support, said the chamber’s Black History Month reading “is a new tradition that we do here in the chambers,” and thanked members from both parties who helped assemble the resolution. Representative Nikkita Ricks urged support during an extended floor statement, saying, “Black history does not begin with slavery,” and arguing the measure reminds the legislature of the broader arc of African and African American contributions.

Representative de Graff offered an amendment to add additional historical examples and text referencing early Black patriots and other figures; the clerk reported the amendment failed by machine vote, 20 yes, 42 no, and 3 excused. After further remarks from members and a brief recess for senate colleagues to address the chamber, the House returned and adopted the resolution.

The adoption was followed by the House moving to third readings of several bills. The resolution record indicates the authors and many of the people mentioned in the text were present in the gallery during the reading.

The House’s action records SJR 7 as adopted; the adopted resolution will be part of the General Assembly’s session record.