Monday is Juneteenth. Be prepared for closures, but first, you can join the celebrations

Rebecca Powell, Fort Collins Coloradoan
Updated ·2 min read
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Monday, June 19 is Juneteenth, and as of two years ago it's a federal holiday. Last year it became a state holiday as well.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 — the day when news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, informing them that they were free.

Long before the federal and state holiday, it was celebrated with family gatherings, often emphasizing food traditions, along with festivals and parades. The color red is often part of the theme.

If you're looking for ways to recognize the holiday in Fort Collins, we published a list of the weekend's Juneteenth events, wrapping up Sunday.

But for Monday, there are closures to be aware of, including federal and state offices. Below we've listed local government closures, but it might be a good idea to call ahead if you have business to do Monday.

Fort Collins

City offices are closed, as are recreation facilities and the Museum of Discovery.

The Gardens on Spring Creek will remain open, and City Park Pool will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Essential services like police and fire will operate as normal, along with bus service.

Larimer County

Larimer County offices and the District Attorney's Office will be closed. The landfill remains open, and critical services continue as normal.

Loveland

City offices are closed, and the library will be closed.

Other city facilities that normally operate on Mondays, such as the recreation center, senior center and golf courses, will remain open. Bus service will operate as normal, but COLT offices are closed. There will be a one-day delay this week for trash, recycling and yard-waste pickup.

Other ways to commemorate Juneteenth: Here are all the ways you can celebrate Juneteenth

Sunday Juneteenth activities

At CSU's Lagoon area, west of the Lory Student Center):

  • 8:30 a.m.: Juneteenth 5K run

  • 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Food trucks, art activities and yard games at the CSU Lagoon (gas and propane grills are allowed for outdoor grilling)

  • 10 a.m.: 3-on-3 basketball tournament

  • 10:30 a.m.: Soca dance performance

  • 12:30 p.m.: Spoken words and poetry

  • 12:45 p.m.: Dad jokes contest (Father's Day tribute)

  • 1 p.m.: MoWells Dancercise

  • 3:30 p.m.: Tarell Martin and Colorado Mass Choir

Preregistration is required for 5K and basketball tournament. Visit focojuneteenth.com.

For descriptions of events and more information on Fort Collins' Juneteenth celebration, visit focojuneteenth.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Juneteenth closures for Fort Collins and Loveland in 2023