Colorado’s holiday calendar follows a predictable pattern of federal + state, and that’s kind of the point! It’s shaped less by spectacle and more by how the state actually works day to day, which includes strong civic participation, a long labor history, and a preference for practical observances rather than an excess of symbolism.
You won’t find an overloaded list of state-only holidays here, but the ones Colorado does recognize tend to say something meaningful about voting rights, worker representation, and the state’s identity beyond just tourism slogans and mountain postcards.
Holidays primarily matter in the context of state government offices, courts, and public services, all of which follow the official state calendar. Private employers will not be legally required to close on state holidays. It is federal holidays that are mainly observed, and state-specific days are selectively adopted depending on what the industry follows and requires operationally.
The state’s own additions say a lot about its history. Frances Xavier Cabrini Day, which replaced Columbus Day in 2020, honors an Italian-American nun who worked with immigrants and orphans, including in Colorado. Farm Workers Day (called César Chávez Day until 2026) and Colorado Day are marked every year too, but as commemorative days, so state offices stay open on both.
List of National and State Holidays in Colorado for 2027
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|
| 1 | Jan 01 | Friday | New Year’s Day | Federal |
| 2 | Jan 18 | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal |
| 3 | Feb 15 | Monday | Presidents’ Day | Federal |
| 4 | May 31 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 5 | Jun 18 | Friday | Juneteenth National Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 6 | Jul 05 | Monday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 7 | Sep 06 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Oct 04 | Monday | Frances Xavier Cabrini Day | State |
| 9 | Nov 11 | Thursday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 10 | Nov 25 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 11 | Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 12 | Dec 31 | Friday | New Year’s Day 2028 (Observed) | Federal |
When a holiday falls on a weekend, Colorado state offices close on the nearest weekday instead: the Friday before a Saturday holiday, or the Monday after a Sunday one.
Official State Holidays in Colorado for 2026
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|
| 1 | Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Federal |
| 2 | Jan 19 | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal |
| 3 | Feb 16 | Monday | Presidents’ Day | Federal |
| 4 | May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 5 | Jun 19 | Friday | Juneteenth National Independence Day | Federal |
| 6 | Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 7 | Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Oct 05 | Monday | Frances Xavier Cabrini Day | State |
| 9 | Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 10 | Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 11 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
FAQs
Does Colorado follow the federal calendar to the T?
Almost. Colorado state offices close for every federal holiday except Columbus Day. In 2020 the state replaced it with Frances Xavier Cabrini Day, which falls on the first Monday in October.
What is Farm Workers Day?
Farm Workers Day is the name Colorado gave in 2026 to the March 31 observance previously called César Chávez Day. César Chávez was the head of the civil rights and labor movement activities of the United Farm Workers (UFW) organization, of which he was also a co-founder. He played a crucial role in the movement for securing the rights of farm workers. This is the core focus of the celebrations.
The Colorado celebration is a throwback to the support of labor history and the right to non-violent self-expression that the state has historically had. It’s a commemorative day in Colorado, though, not a paid holiday, so state offices stay open.
Is Election Day a state holiday in Colorado?
No. Election Day isn’t on Colorado’s list of legal holidays, so state offices stay open. Colorado law does let employees take up to two hours of paid leave to vote if they don’t already have three hours off while the polls are open.
Is Colorado Day important?
Colorado Day marks the state’s admission to the Union on August 1, 1876. It’s a commemorative day rather than a paid holiday, so state offices stay open, and most private employers don’t give the day off either.
Are banks closed on Colorado state holidays?
Banks generally follow the federal holiday schedule. Frances Xavier Cabrini Day is a state-only holiday, so banks may stay open on it unless they choose to close. On the other hand, banks usually close on Columbus Day, even though Colorado state offices stay open that day.
Do private employers follow Colorado’s state holiday list?
The holidays that private companies observe vary depending on their policies, even though they also observe national holidays and holidays that pertain to their respective states.
