by Amanda Clapham, Legislative Council Staff Visitor Services Deputy Manager, Education and Curation

If you are a regular at the Capitol, you have walked by the “Women’s Gold” tapestry on the first floor innumerable times, and you’ve probably marveled at the brilliant colors of the stained-glass Heritage Windows in the Old Supreme Court, the Emily Griffith window on the second floor, north side, and the Virginia Neal Blue window in the Senate. (If you haven’t marveled, please walk over there and marvel immediately). These artifacts feel like they’ve been here forever. But they haven’t.

Colorado is nicknamed the Centennial State because we became a state on our nation’s 100-year anniversary. In 1976, the nation and Colorado went all out for the United States’ 200th anniversary and Colorado’s 100th. In addition to the many activities and celebrations statewide, the Capitol participated by adding several installations that are now so well established: the tapestry and the collection of stained glass. 

The math nerds out there may have already gotten there, but 2026 is our 150th year of statehood! While celebrations are going on throughout the 50 states in honor of the country’s 250th birthday, Colorado’s celebration of its 150th anniversary makes us special. Senate Bill 22-011 created the America 250-Colorado 150 Commission to commemorate this unique anniversary, and the planning began there! Visit the commission’s website to learn more.

While there are activities across the state and country, we have several commemorations planned for the Capitol as well.

An exhibit entitled “Inspired to Serve” opened Friday February 20th; it features all 100 legislators currently serving in the Colorado General Assembly, with pictures of them now and as children. Each legislator has answered two key questions: “What inspired you to serve?” and “What is special about your district?” This exhibit will run through the end of 2026. While our building is historical, the legislature, by its nature, is always looking to the future. This exhibit is meant to inspire Colorado’s future generations to learn about civics and maybe one day run for office themselves!

You may have heard that the official sea level in the United States has changed, making our Mile High Marker incorrect! Capitol staff is working with the Colorado School of Mines to re-measure our treasured marker that resides on the West Steps. If you’re a Capitol nerd, you know that there are three Mile High Markers currently embedded on three different steps, originally measured in 1909 (15th step), and then re-measured in 1969 (18th step) and 2003 (13th step). Both sea level and the accuracy of measurement techniques have changed over time. It’s the latter that the School of Mines will explore as they measure for us, again. Engineering Professor Jeff Holley and his students will be using old surveying techniques as well as GPS to give us the real mile high measurement for 2026.

In Mr. Brown’s Attic, the space above the third floor of the Capitol, there is a scale model of the Capitol building, which is really popular, especially with kids. And what is more popular with kids of all ages than LEGO? The Denver Lego Users Group will be building a scale model of the House and the Senate for the 2026 celebrations. Both fun and colorful, these models will draw the attention of visitors of all ages and act as a gateway to civic education. 

In addition to these exciting projects, the Capitol will be working with History Colorado as well as other cultural, educational, and civic organizations throughout the state, to create one of our biggest and best Colorado Day celebrations EVER! Join us on August 1, 2026, for bands, food, history, entertainment, and some special surprises! Events will take place in Civic and Lincoln Memorial parks, on Broadway, from History Colorado to Colfax, and inside and on the West Steps of the Capitol Building.

This commemoration isn’t just about Colorado’s past 150 years, but also who and what we are as a state right now. It is our chance to tell the future what is important to us (and also to have some fun!).