Dear Rams,

Yesterday, a Colorado state bill was signed into law to officially establish Juneteenth—June 19—as a legal state holiday in Colorado.

Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, many people were still enslaved throughout the states.

On June 19, 1865, as the Civil War came to an end, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all enslaved people had been freed. Enslaved Texans were the last people within the Confederacy to officially learn of their freedom – two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Juneteenth – also sometimes called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day – has since commemorated that historic occasion, but until now has not been recognized as an official Colorado holiday.

Because Juneteenth falls on a Sunday this year, Colorado State University will observe the holiday by closing on Monday, June 20. All classes on June 20 will be canceled and university offices will be closed in observance of the holiday. Summer conferences, summer school housing and dining, and some summer activities will continue as scheduled.

Juneteenth provides our Colorado State University community an opportunity to mark this important date in United States history by acknowledging our country’s painful past of slavery, and reflecting upon and honoring the countless ways our students, faculty and staff bring a rich heritage and diverse perspectives to our university, our community, and our country.

We invite you to learn more about university and other regional activities celebrating Juneteenth, including Fort Collins Juneteenth, and other ways you can observe and support this historic first holiday for Colorado.

Sincerely,

Joyce McConnell
President

Kauline Cipriani
Vice President for Inclusive Excellence

Blanche Hughes
Vice President for Student Affairs