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With multiple sites across the state, there is bound to be a location within driving distance for all Coloradans to celebrate our statehood and learn more about our collective history. Here is a preview of the many free opportunities to join the fun:

• History Colorado Center in Denver is having a celebration worthy of the Centennial State and the Mile High City, featuring more than 15 activities, ranging from cultural demonstrations to artifact booths, from gold panning to green chile roasters for visitors to enjoy. Plus, guests are invited to visit the Colorado Artisan Market and Family Friendly '90s Dance Party | August 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The Center for Colorado Women's History in Denver is holding a day full of festivities with live music, games, arts and food vendors on the beautiful front lawn and free admission to the historic museum. Reservations are encouraged. | August 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• The Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center is planning to "bake" the best birthday celebration yet with a Birthday Cake Bake-Off, and special Living History Buffalo Soldier presentation by Terrance Beasley and film screening of "Honor Song," followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Ryan Begay. | August 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The Ute Indian Museum in Montrose is holding its annual Colorado Day Celebration & Film Screenings, which includes showings of the award-winning "Spirit of the Nuche" documentary about the history and contemporary culture of the Ute peoples.
• The El Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo is opening its doors to celebrate Colorado Day with hands-on activities, giveaways, birthday cupcakes and a tour of its 1842 replica trading post. | August 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Healy House Museum in Leadville is hosting a special presentation of "Soiled Doves: The Working Women of Colorado's Boom Days." Attendance is free; suggested donation of $10. | August 1 at 4 p.m.
• The Trinidad History Museum is offering free admission and cake, along with a croquet set up for play in the lush Baca-Bloom Heritage Gardens on Colorado Day. | August 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Visitor hours and locations for all of History Colorado’s museums can be found here.

Additional History Colorado Events in August:

Returning Series – Reel to Real | Denver
Sie Film Center | August 5, 12, 19 and 26

History Colorado and Denver Film have joined forces to present Reel to Real, a four-week series that brings Colorado’s history, culture and communities to life through film. After each screening, History Colorado curators and other experts will lead discussions covering the film’s historical context, impact, and thematic connection to the state.

Tickets to these in-person events can be purchased at the Denver Film website or the individual event pages listed below. 

• On August 5, join History Colorado's Head of Curatorial Services and Curator of Business & Industry Rachael Storm for a viewing and post-film discussion of "A League of Their Own," a major-league comedy based on the true story of the the All-American Girls Baseball League of 1943 - pioneering women who blazed the trail, on the fields and off, for generations of athletes. 
• On August 12, Damion Pechota, a national and state register historian with History Colorado, will share in the experience of the Severin Films restoration of the 1980 gem that made Martin Scorsese's list of "11 Scariest Horror Movies Of All Time" - "The Changeling."  
• On August 19, enjoy Christopher Guest's mockumentary, "Waiting for Guffman," which chronicles the hilariously ambitious efforts of a small town in Missouri to celebrate its 150th anniversary by staging a local musical production in hopes of attracting a Broadway producer. Following the film, attendees can discuss the film's themes with panelists Rob Duray from the CO150 Film Festival, Kevin Smith, chief executive officer of Denver Film, David Emrich, Colorado film expert, and Katie Roach, representing the America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission.
• And on August 26, join MiDian Shofner, chief executive officer of Black Excellence & Partnerships, to discuss the "Summer of Violence." This film depicts the journey of a young woman who struggles to find her place during this tumultuous time, filmed and set in Denver.

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Tuesday Night Summer Socials | Denver
Center for Colorado Women’s History | Every Tuesday evening through August

Each of the Tuesday Night Summer Socials gatherings includes a free evening of live music in the museum’s gardens (weather permitting) as well as specialty programming that is included with a General Admission ticket to the Center for Colorado Women’s History.

Tuesday Night Summer Socials in August:

• August 5, writer, educator and bookstore owner, Dylah Ray, will lead a workshop, “The Matriarchs: Building on the Feminist Poetry of the Second Wave:”What would Adrienne Rich, June Jordan, and Audre Lorde write if they were living through our current nightmare? Guests will learn from them and write their own feminist anthems in their wake. Writers of all genres and experience levels are welcome.
• August 12, enjoy music from Uncle Meg, whose work centers around the nuanced feelings we all experience in our growth as humans. For a day job, they currently are a brewer at Lady Justice Brewing.  
• August 19, Shannon Voirol, director of History Colorado's Affiliate Network and Traveling Exhibits, will explore the dreams and visions of Lizzie Tabor and encourage others to look beyond the dress and deconstruct some of the archetypal roles Lizzie Tabor has fulfilled. 
• August 27, Dylah Ray returns to wrap the 2025 Tuesday Night Summer Socials with a workshop, “Poets of the Queer Cannon: Continuing the Legacy.”

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Mapping Tarryall's Gold: From Rush to Hush | Denver
History Colorado Center | August 5, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Hear Mark S. Hanson share his experience purchasing a cabin in Tarryall Valley, where he began field mapping and researching the area's mining history, while he profiles the prospectors and early maps that brought Tarryall’s explorers to its treasure. This free presentation is made possible in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Map Society Series.

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Japanese American Farming, Past and Present Bus Tour | Denver
History Colorado Center | August 11, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tickets ($125 - $135) and additional information available here.
Even before World War II, Japanese Americans have contributed to Colorado’s agricultural industry through their farms across the state. This bus tour, led by Westword contributing editor Gil Asakawa, will focus on some of the accomplishments of our Japanese-American neighbors through a tour of the past and a connection with farmers of the present. The bus will travel from History Colorado Center to the Brighton area to engage with this essential part of Colorado history. Seats are still available; registration required.  

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Yoga in the Gardens | Trinidad, Colo.
Trinidad History Museum | August 4,11,18, and 25, 8:00 a.m.
The Trinidad History Museum is holding the final sessions of its summer long yoga and meditation series every Monday morning in the Baca-Bloom Heritage Gardens. This class will be led by local yogi Jennifer Allen and is a great chance to connect with your body, breath, nature, and neighbors. Outdoor Yoga and Meditation Practice at the Trinidad History Museum is free and open to the public. Don’t forget to bring a mat/blanket and water.
 

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Museum Basics: Working with Community Partners | Virtual Event
History Colorado Center | August 13, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Ticketing options ($25 - $325) and additional information available here.
This virtual series offered by the Curatorial Services and Collections Access department of History Colorado, is designed for those who work in, hope to work in, or volunteer at cultural institutions such as museums, libraries, and archives. This session will focus on approaches to working with communities as partners and building lasting relationships. Advanced registration is required.

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Music on the Lawn | Trinidad, Colo.
Trinidad History Museum | August 21, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy free admission spending an evening to enjoy music on the Bloom Lawns. Bring a blanket, lawn chair, food, and drinks while playing a game of croquet or badminton, or do after-hours shopping in the museum gift store. Attendees are encouraged to enter through gates on Walnut or Chestnut Street.

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Chicano Murals of Denver by Bus | Bus Tour
History Colorado Center | August 23, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Tickets ($90 - $100) and additional information available here
A special presentation from Tours & Treks, this local adventure will provide a first-hand view of Chicano art in Denver with the Chicana/o/x Murals of Colorado Project. From La Alma Lincoln Park area to Santa Fe Drive to the Northside, attendees will seek out the design and messages of murals from the Chicano tradition. Follow along with internationally acclaimed muralist, painter and sculptor Emanuel Martinez, who will speak about some of his own work - a special opportunity not to be missed!

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Women's Equality Day 2025 | Denver, Colo.
Center for Colorado Women’s History | August 26, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Join the Center for Colorado Women's History to celebrate Women's Equality Day! Come for a free music event with Neyla Pekarek, the Aurora-born cellist, vocalist, pianist and former member of the folk rock band, The Lumineers. Come for a free tour of the museum, enjoy pie and live music in our garden, and connect with our community partner, League of Women Voters! This is a free event, but RSVPs are appreciated. 

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About History Colorado
History Colorado is a division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and a 501(c)3 non-profit that has served more than 75,000 students and 500,000 people in Colorado each year. It is a 145-year-old institution that operates eleven museums and historic sites, a free public research center, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation which provides technical assistance, educational opportunities, and other access to archaeology and historic preservation, and the History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), which is one of the nation’s largest state funded preservation programs of its kind. More than 70% of SHF grants are allocated in rural areas of the state. Additionally, the offices of the State Archaeologist and the State Historic Preservation Officer are part of History Colorado. 

History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving and sharing the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through educational programs, historic preservation grants, collecting, outreach to Colorado communities, the History Colorado Center and Stephen H. Hart Research Center in Denver, and 10 other museums and historic attractions statewide. History Colorado is one of only six Smithsonian Affiliates in Colorado. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information. #HistoryColorado