Published: May 31, 2024

Students, staff and faculty are invited to participate in regional events to celebrate Juneteenth and Pride Month.

Juneteenth

CU Boulder will close on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth, Colorado’s newest official state holiday. Juneteenth marks the historic date when the Union Army arrived in Texas in 1865 to proclaim freedom for Black and African Americans in 1865, approximately two months after the official end of the Civil War and more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation.

Observed in Black and African American communities since 1866, the Juneteenth name is a portmanteau of “June” and “nineteenth.” It became an official state holiday in 2023 when Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a legislative bill into law recognizing the significance of the date in U.S. history. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Act into law.

Campus resources

Pride Month

June is also Pride Month, and the Pride Office, part of the Center for Inclusion and Social Change in the Division of Student Affairs, invites students to attend a June 11 ice cream celebration.

The Pride Office works to build belonging and community among LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty and raises awareness about issues that affect them. During the summer, the office will remain open and provide resources and support services for campus community members. Students, staff and faculty seeking support should email morgan.seamont@colorado.edu or cisc@colorado.edu or inquire by phone at 303-492-0272.

Campus resources

Juneteenth events

Keynote: ‘Loving Blackness and Humanizing Imagination’

 June 12  2–3:30 p.m.  Zoom
Students, staff and faculty are invited to a virtual address titled “Loving Blackness and Humanizing Imagination: [Re]engaging Shared Equity Leadership,” given by CU Boulder Professor Danielle Hodge. Register now and plan to attend the in-person dialogue mixer at the Renee Crown Wellness Institute on June 13.

Boulder Juneteenth Flag Raising and Commemoration

 June 14  3–5 p.m.  Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway, Boulder
City leaders and representatives from CU Boulder and the NAACP will deliver remarks. Whistling Boar will provide catering, and Selasee and the FaFa Family will perform.

Freedom’s Path, Growing Our Next Generation: Banned books panel discussion

 June 17  3–6 p.m.  Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder
Join to celebrate the day of freedom of Black Americans and a banned books panel with audience particpation. The discussion will feature CU Boulder's Reiland Rabaka, founder and director of the Center for African & African American Studies, and entertainment by the Ron Ivory Band. Reserve tickets.

Museum of Boulder and Out Boulder County: Juneteenth Liberation Day

 June 20  5–8 p.m.  Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway, Boulder
Celebrate the beauty of Black resilience, community and the expression of liberation for queer and transgender people of color. Substance-free and open to all ages. Light refreshments will be included, and tickets are now on sale.

Fort Collins Juneteenth Celebration: Celebrate Freedom

 June 14–16 215 E. Foothills Parkway, Fort Collins
Join for youth night featuring a game room and outdoor film screenings, an outdoor concert, community celebration and church on the lawn with a lively gospel performance.

Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival

 June 14–16 126 Cimino Drive, Colorado Springs
This festival is a vibrant showcase of music, art and educational activities that engage residents and visitors alike in the rich traditions and history commemorated on this special day.

Denver Juneteenth Music Festival

 June 15–16 27th and Welton streets, Denver
The celebration includes a parade, free music and vendors  in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood. CU is a community partner and sponsor.

Denver Juneteenth Parade

 June 15  11 a.m. 26th Avenue and Williams Street, Denver
Join Denver's longest running parade, dating back to the 1950s. The parade kicks off the Juneteenth Music Festival. The parade starts at 26th Avenue on Williams Street and goes to 26th Avenue on Welton Street.

Juneteenth at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

 June 19 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver
Visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for free in celebration of Juneteenth! No need to reserve your ticket ahead of time online. A separate ticket is required if you'd like to visit the planetarium or Infinity Theater.

Longmont Juneteenth: Amplifying Black Voices and Community

 June 22 1–6 p.m. Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont
Sponsored in part by CU Boulder, the family-oriented event is free to the public and promises to be a day filled with music, entertainment and cultural significance.

Erie Juneteenth Celebration

 June 22 6–9 p.m. Coal Creek Park, 575 Kattell St., Erie
Join the Erie community for a Juneteenth celebration at Coal Creek Park.

Pride Month events

Longmont Pride Festival

 June 7  3–8 p.m.  700 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont
Come out for a day full of great activities, amazing community partners sharing information, pride goodies from Out Boulder County and more. The afternoon will include art vendors, local organizations, interactive games for the whole family and fun activities spread throughout the day.

Pride Ice Cream Celebration with CU Boulder Pride Office

 June 11  1–2:30 p.m.  C4C N320 (Center for Inclusion and Social Change)
Come celebrate Pride Month with some tasty ice cream! There will be assorted flavors (vegan and dairy-free included) and all the fixings to make your sundae extravaganza—including rainbow sprinkles of course. 

Lafayette Youth Pride

 June 15 Noon–4 p.m.  Dog House Music Studios, 525 Courtney Way, Lafayette
It’s a (block) party with the Out Boulder County youth team! Take to the streets at this family-friendly celebration. With all sorts of free entertainment, food and fun activities for the family, it's going to be an event you won't want to miss.

QTPOC Pride Summer Solstice OTA Vogue Night

 June 21 6–11 p.m. Mi Chantli Dance and Movement Sanctuary, 1750 30th St., Boulder
Come and celebrate pride and summer solstice with Out Boulder County. Join us for a free, all-ages, low-stakes Vogue Night with unique grand prizes! After 9 p.m., 18-and-older only. This event is substance free and sober. 

50+ LGBTQ+ Mixer

 June 21 4–7 p.m. Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains, 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder
Join Out Boulder County and Boulder County Area Agency on Aging for their annual mixer for LGBTQ+ folks and allies 50 years of age and older. Younger partners are also welcome to join! Please RSVP so they can plan for food and drinks. 

Denver PrideFest

 June 22–23 101 14th Ave., Denver
Come together to celebrate 50 years of Denver Pride! This spectacular festival kicks off with a 5K, followed by the iconic two-day Denver PrideFest at Civic Center Park boasting 250-plus exhibitors, 30 food vendors and captivating live performances. Sunday’s parade flaunts colorful floats, marchers, music and more.

Queer Circus

 June 29 7–10:30 p.m. Junkyard Social Club, 2525 Frontier Ave., Boulder
Join Out Boulder County's wildest pride celebration for 2024 at the Junkyard Social Club. Queer Circus is a 18-and-up cabaret style show featuring local LGBTQIA+ comedians, dancers, poets, musicians, entertainers and performing artists. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Boulder Pridefest

 June 30 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Central Park, 1212 Canyon Blvd., Boulder
This event will be jam-packed with activities, amazing community partners sharing information, pride merchandise galore from Out Boulder County and other wonderful vendors. Bring the whole family to experience an incredible and diverse array of performers, giveaways all over the park and multiple activities for all to take part in!