Colorado celebrates its birthday with upcoming festivals and events

Colorado is quickly approaching its 148th birthday, and the state is ready to celebrate with a slew of events.

Celebrate Colorado — a statewide birthday celebration coordinated by Gov. Jared Polis' office — returns Friday through Aug. 4, bringing in the state's birthday with more than 400 festivals, county fairs, art exhibitions, farmers’ markets, concerts and other community events across the state, according to a press release from the governor's office.

Though not all of the events are outright connected to the state's 148th anniversary of entering the Union as the 38th state, they all fall around the specific date of Aug. 1 — Colorado Day.

“Everyday is Colorado Day in our beautiful state, and as we move toward our sesquicentennial we look back on how far Colorado has come and take pride in the steps we are taking to ensure a strong future for all Coloradans," Polis said in a news release. "Celebrate Colorado is an opportunity to support local business, get outside, and strengthen our communities. Colorado continues to be the best state to live, work and play, and I am excited to join you all in getting out to celebrate all things Colorado."

A Celebrate Colorado map has been created, showing all of the events that will take place during the commemorative week.

Some include:

• Colorado Day Celebration at the Colorado State Capitol on Aug. 1
• The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan’s Lake Park on July 27-28
• Free tours at the Governor's Residence on Aug. 1
• Colorado Day at the History Colorado Center on Aug. 3
• The 86th Annual Bronc Day Festival in Green Mountain Falls on July 27

There will also be discounted tickets to events and museums during the week, like 50% off online tickets to the Denver Zoo after 2 p.m. and 30% off admission at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.

A full list of events and discounts can be found at celebrate.colorado.gov.