Colorado Public Lands Day

Harsh Sharma
Dec 22, 2023 By Harsh Sharma
Originally Published on Feb 05, 2022
Fact-checked by Naman Khanna
Read about the celebration of Colorado Public Lands Day in this article.

Where is Colorado Public Lands Day celebrated?

 Colorado Public Lands Day is celebrated in the state of Colorado in the United States of America.

Who is Colorado Public Lands Day celebrated by?

Colorado Public Lands Day is celebrated by the people living all across the state of Colorado. Many come together and join the celebrations in honor of the public lands.

When did Colorado Public Lands Day first start?

The first Colorado Public Lands Day was celebrated in 2016 on May 21. It was a day of great significance as Colorado became the first state to ever designate a state holiday in honor of its public lands.

Who started Colorado Public Lands Day?

The decision to celebrate Colorado's Public Lands Day as a public holiday was made by the State of Colorado, and this was championed by Sen. Kerry Donovan. The bill was passed successfully, and then, in 2016, the first Colorado Public Lands Day was celebrated on May 21.

History and Timeline

National public lands serve the nation in many ways. And so, to celebrate public lands, there's a National Public Lands Day. Colorado became the first state to have a state holiday for its public lands.

The decision was made in the year 2016 to independently celebrate Colorado's public land. Ever since then, the day has been celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people of Colorado. Here's a brief account of the timeline of this holiday.

Traditions And Customs

Public lands not only serve the economy but are a great source of outdoor recreation.

Ever since 2016, every third Saturday of May has been celebrated as the Colorado Public Lands Day. The people of Colorado spend the day volunteering, hiking, going on bike rides, taking walks in public parks, or spending the day at wildlife sanctuaries.

Having a picnic at the state parks, witnessing the Colorado Springs in the botanical gardens, volunteering to clean up these lands to help promote public health, and many other activities have now become Colorado Public Lands Day's customs.

Ways to Observe or Celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day

Go hiking! Hiking seems like a great way to celebrate the day.

You may plan a hiking trip up the McClure Pass, spend the day doing volunteer work, help the state clean up and embrace its natural beauty, go around promoting better public health, go on a fun mountain bike ride, spend the day cycling through the cool mountains, reconnect with nature, and have a fun and relaxing day out.

Facts and Stats

  • The first Colorado Public Lands Day was held in May 2016.
  • Colorado Public Lands Day is a day to honor the state's public lands as critical resources that provide clean water, wildlife habitats, and numerous recreational possibilities.
  • It is celebrated each year on the third Saturday of May.
  • Colorado became the first-ever state to dedicate a day to its public lands and make it a holiday.
  • These public lands contribute up to $34 billion to the state's economy, making this day highly important for the state.

Passing Of The Bill

It was during the Colorado General Assembly of 2016 that a bill was passed which allowed Colorado to designate a public holiday to celebrate the importance of its public lands.

2016

Founding Day

May 21, 2016, was the Third Saturday of May that year, and so it became the day that came to be known as Colorado Public Land's Day.

May 21, 2016

Inaugural Celebrations

May 20, 2017, was the day chosen for the official inaugural celebrations of the Colorado Public Land's Day. The day was spent engaging in numerous public celebrations.

May 20, 2017

What is National Public Lands Day?

National Public Lands Day is a single-day volunteer event where people all over the nation come together to acknowledge the importance of public lands. They go out and engage in various activities, from hiking to volunteering in clean-up drives along rivers.

What is the purpose of Colorado Public Lands Day?

Colorado Public Lands Day is celebrated independently by the State of Colorado to honor the importance of public lands and celebrate the benefits they provide. 

Is Colorado Public Lands Day a public holiday?

Yes. Celebrated on the Third Saturday of May every year, Colorado Public Lands Day is a public holiday.

When was the first Colorado Public Lands Day?

The first Colorado Public Lands Day was observed in 2016 on May 21. Ever since then, this day has been celebrated to remind people of the importance of public lands.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Saturday, May 16, 2020
  • Saturday, May 15, 2021
  • Saturday, May 21, 2022
  • Saturday, May 20, 2023
  • Saturday, May 18, 2024

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Sources

https://www.westword.com/arts/things-to-do-to-celebrate-colorado-public-lands-day-11970303

https://www.rmfi.org/blog-entrys/colorado-the-first-to-designate-a-state-public-lands-day

https://conservationco.org/2019/06/06/blog-why-colorado-public-lands-day-is-important/

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Written by Harsh Sharma

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature, Bachelor of Pharmacy specializing in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Harsh Sharma picture

Harsh SharmaBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature, Bachelor of Pharmacy specializing in Pharmaceutical Sciences

With a passion for technology and analytics, Harsh is a skilled professional with a background in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University. He holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Delhi University, which complements his multidisciplinary expertise.Harsh's diverse experience includes a previous role at Healthmug, where he collaborated with brands to develop and execute successful marketing strategies. His commitment to producing high-quality content in the health sector shines through his meticulous research and pride in ensuring factual accuracy in his work.

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Fact-checked by Naman Khanna

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Naman Khanna picture

Naman KhannaBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

An English literature graduate from Delhi University, Naman's broad interests include mathematics, science, and social science. With his knowledge and expertise in multiple subjects, he is an asset to our fact-checking team. Naman is set to pursue his postgraduate degree in English literature soon.

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