This year is a big one for the Centennial State. Not only is Colorado celebrating its 150th birthday in 2026, but so is the University of Colorado Boulder. At the same time, America is marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, making this year a rare alignment—a triple milestone that invites a look back, an eye toward the future and a whole lot of celebrations along the way.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of festivities across Colorado, from statewide drone shows to immersive exhibitions. Here’s how to celebrate these major milestones in 2026.
Attend Homecoming 2026 at Folsom Field
Mark your calendar for November 14, when the Buffs face the Houston Cougars at Folsom Field. As CU Boulder celebrates 150 years, this homecoming offers a way for students, friends and alumni to rally around the black and gold and celebrate CU’s culture, past and present. Expect signature events such as the Stampede Parade, pep rally, tailgates, campus tours, family-friendly gatherings and so much more.
Learn more: colorado.edu/homecoming
Celebrate Colorado Agriculture Through “Setting Colorado’s Table”
Agriculture is a major part of Colorado’s past, and continues to shape its identity today. As part of the state’s 150th anniversary commemorations, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is leading a statewide initiative called “Setting Colorado’s Table: 150 Years of Agricultural Legacy.” Look for harvest table dinners hosted in rural communities across the state, as well as a commemorative coffee table book created with History Colorado. The initiative also includes a large-scale, traveling agricultural mural by artist Thomas “Detour” Evans.
Learn more: settingcoloradostable.com
READ MORE: Buff Pride in a Cone: CU Boulder Marks 150 Years With New Sweet Cow Flavor
Catch a “Stories in the Sky” Drone Show
Colorado’s 150th anniversary is taking to the skies. Hosted by the America 250-Colorado 150 Commission, the “Stories in the Sky” drone show series continues its tour in 2026, bringing choreographed light shows to communities across the state. Expect dazzling formations that celebrate Colorado’s landscapes, history and future—all without traditional fireworks. Catch the drone shows at a variety of events throughout the year, including the Colorado State Fair.
Learn more: historycolorado.org/colorado-150/initiative-stories-in-the-sky
Explore the Colorado Passport Program
Turn your anniversary celebrations into a statewide adventure with the Colorado Passport Program. The free, mobile-based platform rewards travelers for exploring cultural landmarks, small towns, retailers and restaurants across the Centennial State. Just check in at participating locations via your phone and earn entries toward prizes. Start in Boulder, then branch out to explore the people and places that have helped define the last 150 years.
Learn more: colorado.com/passport
Visit “Moments That Made US” at History Colorado
On display at History Colorado for much of this year is “Moments That Made US,” a collection of 50 artifacts tied to pivotal turning points in American history. Spanning eight centuries, the exhibition includes objects connected to Mesa Verde, Jamestown, Valley Forge and even the moon. Seen alongside Colorado’s own 150-year journey, the exhibit invites reflection on the nation’s past, as well as the people and choices that shaped it.
Learn more: historycolorado.org/exhibit/moments-made-us
Learn About Colorado’s Journey to Statehood
Did you know it took five tries and more than 15 years for Colorado to become a state? Early attempts at statehood were derailed by a variety of problems—most related to politics and power—but, eventually, on August 1, 1876, Colorado became the 38th state in the union. You can learn all about the trials and tribulations on Colorado’s long road to statehood by attending the “38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State” exhibition at History Colorado. Explore photographs, documents, artifacts and voices to revisit the Centennial State’s origins.
Learn more: historycolorado.org/exhibit/38th-star
Admire Colorado’s Majestic Beauty
Nature photographer John Fielder was a master at capturing Colorado’s colorful scenery with his camera, from its sun-dappled valleys to its rugged slopes and beyond. Though Fielder died in 2023, his work lives on through “Mountains Majesty: On the Summit with John Fielder,” a photography exhibition at History Colorado. The photos featured in the exhibition were selected by History Colorado members in honor of Colorado’s 150th anniversary of statehood in 2026.
Learn more: historycolorado.org/exhibit/mountains-majesty
Discover CU Boulder’s Legacy in Space and Science
Only one university in the world can claim that one of its academic research institutes has sent its instruments to every planet in the solar system (plus Pluto). CU’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) has built a global reputation in planetary science, including the MAVEN mission to Mars launched in 2013. Throughout 2026, look for public programming, lectures and planetarium experiences highlighting CU’s contributions to aerospace and climate science.
Learn more: lasp.colorado.edu
Take a Historic Campus Walk
When was the last time you strolled around campus? If it’s been a while, take yourself on a little self-guided tour in honor of the university’s 150th.
CU Boulder’s story began with Old Main rising against a rugged, still-frontier landscape in 1876. Today, its Tuscan Vernacular architecture—shaped during the New Deal era—gives the campus its signature sandstone-and-red-tile look.
Start at Old Main, CU’s first and oldest building, constructed just before Colorado became a state. Then wander toward Norlin Library, where the inscription on the west façade reads: “Who knows only his own generation remains always a child.” The quote, associated with former CU President George Norlin, feels especially resonant during an anniversary year.
Gather Under the Flatirons
In the end, celebrating 150 years of Colorado and CU Boulder doesn’t require a ticket to an official event. It can mean taking a sunset hike, reuniting with classmates, taking a road trip across the Front Range or simply learning a little more about our state’s history. Looking back—and forward—keeps us growing. And 150 years is a good place to begin again.
