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DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to establish the second Monday in October as “Colorado American Indian Recognition Day”. HB25-1266 would create a new observed holiday to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the Ute Tribes in Colorado.
“Celebrating and recognizing the historic contributions of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and all American Indian nations with ties to Colorado is incredibly important – this holiday helps accomplish that,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “We must acknowledge the tragedies of the past while honoring the sovereignty of the Ute Tribes in Colorado and this bill recognizes the second Monday in October as “Colorado American Indian Recognition Day”.
“The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe called Colorado home long before it was a state – this bill helps acknowledge their many contributions,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “The Ute Tribes have provided significant cultural, social and economic contributions to the state and their histories are integral to Colorado’s identity. With the passage of this bill, we’re one step closer to establishing the second Monday in October as “Colorado American Indian Recognition Day”.
HB25-1266, passed the House by a vote of 50-10. This bill establishes the second Monday in October as “Colorado American Indian Recognition Day,” an observed state holiday.
Nationally, the second Monday in October is recognized as "Indigenous People’s Day” but is not observed at the state level in Colorado. If signed into law, this bill would create “Colorado American Indian Recognition Day,” as an observed, but not a legal, state holiday on the same day. The goal of HB25-1266 is to celebrate and honor the histories, culture and contributions of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and all American Indian nations with historic ties to Colorado.
Colorado replaced “Columbus Day” in 2020 with “Frances Xavier Cabrini Day”, which is observed on the first Monday in October and is a legal state holiday with paid-time off for state employees.