Our Initiatives
CO150 Southwest - Signature Initiatives
As our nation and the state of Colorado approach the dual commemorations in 2026, we anticipate lots of anniversary-oriented projects and events across each state and nationwide. Colorado will have a number of exciting statewide Signature Initiatives set forth by the America 250-Colorado 150 Commission. You can learn more about the Colorado Commission’s 12 initiatives here: Announced April 8.
To add to the state’s mix of 2026 initiatives, with the Southwest Colorado LOC’s grassroots’ input and design, our LOC has created several year-long projects of our own, including education for kids and adults, music, events and exhibits, all highlighting the history and heritage of the Southwest Colorado region.
See below for details on our student SW Colorado passport, Sing Colorado!, Power of Place projects and expanding oral history collections and keep any eye out for our unique San Juan Mountains logo and the special signature initiative icons that show the America 250-Colorado 150 Southwest engagement!
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Passport to Southwest Colorado
Produced by fourth-grade teachers for young students, this fun, interactive print and electronic media project will encourage students and parents to visit and learn more about fascinating places in their region.
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Becoming Southwest Colorado
A magazine that celebrates the shared history and culture of Southwest Colorado
Twenty fascinating articles from historians and long-time observers illuminate the rich tapestry of our history. Combined, they tell the story of how we became who we are.
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Sing Colorado!
Music is a powerful expressive force and cultural foundation. Sing Colorado! offers a toolkit of resources to enable groups around Southwest Colorado to hold local musical events in 2026, highlighting Colorado’s rich musical tradition.
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Power of Place
The Power of Place Initiative explores, through conversations, exhibits, and student field camps, how geography, climate, and historic cultures have shaped our world in SW Colorado today. Projects within this initiative will help produce a better understanding of our connectedness to the natural world and each other.
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Storytelling: A Portrait of Southwest Colorado at 150
Storytelling, especially through oral histories, adds a layer of richness and personal experience to our understanding of the past. Learn more about our current inventory of oral histories and how you might add to them.
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Moments that Made Us
This initiative, both at the state and local level, seeks to tell the story of Colorado’s origins through exhibits. Exhibits tell stories by thoughtfully combining objects, images, and personal narratives to create a compelling journey through history. They use artifacts to spark curiosity and connect visitors with tangible pieces of the past, while interpretive panels, audio recordings, and multimedia displays provide context and meaning.