Celebration Events Are Taking Place Throughout Boulder County

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County government offices (including the 20th Judicial District Court and the District Attorney's Office) will be closed Monday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth Independence Day.

The closure does not include 24/7 public safety, child and adult protection, and maintenance operations.

Visit Boulder County’s website for services that can be conducted online. Hours and holiday closures are also available on the county’s website.

Events

Boulder County is sponsoring Juneteenth Celebration events throughout Boulder County organized by the NAACP Boulder County Branch in partnership with ECAACE (Executive Committee, African American Cultural Events Boulder County). These events are free to attend and open to all. Full details are available on the NAACP Boulder County Branch website.

Other events include daytime and evening events at Longmont’s Juneteenth Celebrations on Saturday, June 17. Visit the Boulder County tents during Longmont’s celebration at Roosevelt Park between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Boulder County Commissioners’ Proclamation Observing Juneteenth Independence Day

WHEREAS, President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863. Yet, news of the end of slavery did not reach the frontier areas of the United States, and in particular the Southwestern States, for over two and a half years; and

WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were free; and

WHEREAS, African Americans who had been enslaved in the Southwest began celebrating June 19, commonly known as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” in 1866 as inspiration and encouragement for future generations; and

WHEREAS, the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners acknowledge the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day to the United States; and

WHEREAS, residents of Boulder County are encouraged to join the continued nationwide celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an opportunity for the people of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences of enslaved people that have shaped this country; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners recognizes that celebration of Juneteenth is part of the history and heritage of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the county will fly the Juneteenth Flag to raise awareness of the celebration.

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners recognizes June 19, 2023 as Juneteenth Independence Day and as a Boulder County holiday, encourages everyone to join in celebration and solidarity, and urges all residents to actively raise their own awareness of the significance of this celebration in African American History and in the heritage of our nation and county.

DATED this 13th day of June 2023

You can find out more about Juneteenth by visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture website.