Government offices across Eagle County, including satellite offices in Avon and El Jebel, will be closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day.
Juneteenth commemorates the date in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and liberate the last remaining enslaved African Americans—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the order. The holiday marks a significant moment in U.S. history and is recognized as a symbol of Black freedom and the ongoing pursuit of equality.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 when the 117th U.S. Congress passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden. It is the first new federal holiday since the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
Colorado formally recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday in 2022. Governor Jared Polis signed legislation making it the state’s 11th official holiday on May 2 of that year.
“For many of us, Juneteenth is the first new Federal or State Holiday created in our adult lifetimes,” said Eagle County Commissioner Tom Boyd. “It represents an opportunity to learn the importance and history of this significant event in our nation’s history. I hope residents will take this time to reflect on our shared history, acknowledge the struggles of the past, and be inspired to work toward a more equitable future.”
While administrative offices will be closed for the day, essential services will remain available. The Eagle County landfill and associated facilities will remain open, and the Eagle County Road and Bridge Department will be on call for emergencies at 970-479-2200.
Normal business hours for county offices will resume on Friday, June 20.
