Celebrate Colorado Day With Free Admission To State Parks August 1

Monday, Aug. 1 is Colorado Day.

What is Colorado Day?

Colorado Day is celebrated annually on August 1.

The holiday commemorates the admittance of Colorado as a state of the Union on August 1, 1876, thanks to an Act of Congress signed by President Ulysses S. Grant.

A Brief History 

Before the Spanish started settling in Colorado as far back as 1598, Native American tribes had inhabited the area for about 14,000 years.

On February 28, 1861, Colorado officially became a U.S. territory by an Act of Congress signed by former President James Buchanan, which occurred happened during the infamous secession of the Southern States that led to the American Civil War.

On August 1, 1876, President Grant signed a proclamation admitting Colorado to the Union as the 38th State - 28 days after the Centennial Celebration of the United States, earning it the moniker “Centennial State.”

Colorado Day was first celebrated in 1907.

Celebrate Colorado Day With Free Admission To State Parks

To celebrate Colorado Day, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is granting free admission to Colorado’s 42 state parks on Monday, Aug 1.

“Colorado Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the natural beauty of our state and  Bridget O’Rourke Kochel, a spokeswoman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife said, according to the Denver Post.

“Coloradans have a rich tradition of embracing an outdoor lifestyle, and our state parks offer a variety of outdoor activities that people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy.”

While admission is free, all other park fees remain in effect - including camping reservations, boat and off-highway vehicle registrations, and hunting and fishing licenses, according to CPW. 

Want to visit a Colorado state park for Colorado Day and not sure where to go? Get a full rundown of Colorado's 42 state parks here.