Think back to the summer of 1976.

Assuming you were alive, where were you? Did you see a fireworks show, go to a concert, visit Washington D.C., watch a parade, or wear red, white, and blue?

Fifty years ago, our country and state celebrated the bicentennial for the U.S. and the centennial of Colorado’s statehood. ome of you still may have some of the special bicentennial coins or stamps made for the occasion stashed in a box in the attic.

Time flies and those of you of a certain age get a second chance to participate in another celebration. And you youngsters under 60 are invited to help organize the biggest national birthday party you may ever see. America will be commemorating 250 years (a semi-quincentennial) on July 4, 2026, and the state of Colorado will celebrate 150 years of statehood (a sesquicentennial) on Aug. 1, 2026. But here in Ouray County, we’ll kick off the party a year earlier when we celebrate Ouray’s sesquicentennial in 2025. Now it’s time to make plans for special events, activities and projects for young and old alike.

The state legislature set the framework with legislation passed in 2022. History Colorado (formerly the Colorado State Historical Society) is in the lead. Some statewide initiatives being discussed include new roadside markers, a passport-type travel game, traveling exhibits, public art, instructional materials, and a statewide calendar of events.

However, the heart of the celebrations and the key to success is delegated down to the local level. Communities are encouraged to observe the twin anniversaries by hosting commemorative events, planning historical- themed activities, creating new scholarship and educational opportunities, and developing opportunities for historic preservation. Events should fit into one or more of the four themes: celebrate, educate, experience and preserve.

The Colorado Tourism Office will be inviting America to visit and celebrate with us at community events stretching from border to border — and we want Ouray County to be a part of it. Businesses, get ready!

As part of the Mountains and Mesas region in southwestern Colorado, our theme is “What happened here?” What has shaped our culture, landscape, and people here today? How can stories of our past help shape a better and brighter future?

We want to share our story with America – real stories that celebrate, educate, commemorate and preserve our rich heritage. We can create our own events that fit who we are, where we’ve been, and what’s to come. We’ll begin brainstorming about what makes us unique.

Businesses, schools, organizations and individuals should take advantage of this amazing opportunity and get involved to make the next two years memorable for a lifetime. Join the planning process, starting next week. Some work has already begun — ideas are on the table and we need your feedback.

We’ll have two introductory community meetings on our “Colorado 150 – American 250” project to accommodate everyone’s very busy schedules. We want to hear what you believe best represents us here in Ouray County.

• Tuesday, May 14, 1 PM at Ridgway Library

• Saturday, May 18, 10:30 AM at Ridgway Library You can learn more about this historic project at History Colorado’s website: www.history.colorado.org/ Colorado-150.

Carolyn Snowbarger is a retired educator. After teaching middle schoolers in Olathe, Kansas, for 28 years, she and her husband Vince moved to Washington, D.C. She directed the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative at the U.S. Department of Education and then managed continuing education programs for the American Institute of Architects. The Snowbargers moved to Ridgway in 2013 after decades of San Juan family vacations.