On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Board of Larimer County Commissioners proclaimed January 20, 2025 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observation and Commemoration Day at the weekly Admin Matters meeting. This year, the Board created a joint proclamation with the City of Fort Collins to recognize the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Board of Larimer County Commissioners participated in a joyous and meaningful celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 20, 2025. Due to the dangerously cold temperatures, the annual march from Washington Park to Colorado State University was cancelled, but the community came together for an indoor event at the Lory Student Center. 

The celebration began with a program in the Grand Ballroom, including a performance by youth music group New Bloodline, singing of the Black National Anthem by Jasmine Retland, performance of spoken word by CSU Student Jada Askew, and recognition of the 2025 march leaders, members of the Northern Colorado community who embody the spirit of service and action of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The program closed with a reading of the proclamation by Larimer County Commissioners John Kefalas, Kristin Stephens, and Jody Shadduck-McNally, as well as by CSU President Dr. Amy Parsons, Front Range Community College President Dr. Colleen Simpson, Poudre School District Superintendent Brian Kingsley, and Fort Collins Mayor Jeni Arndt.

The celebration continued with community action activities, including a community mural painting designed by local artist Imani Samuel, capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian dance and martial arts practice, and a civic action space where community members could register to vote, borrow books on civic leaders from Poudre Libraries, write letters to their elected officials, and connect directly with all three Larimer County Commissioners. Community members were invited to engage with their Commissioners, ask questions, and learn how to get involved with local government.

The event also incorporated the annual Day of Service honoring Dr. King’s legacy, coordinated by BIPOC Alliance. Dozens of volunteers sorted and packaged hundreds of pounds of donated clothing and personal care items that were delivered to Homeward Alliance in Fort Collins.

The joint proclamation read at the event is below:

WHEREAS, Our country's motto, "E Pluribus Unum" -- out of many, we are one -- charges us to find common values among our varied experiences and to forge a national unity out of our extraordinary diversity. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lifted up this ideal and urged the nation to pursue the ultimate goal of reconciliation. His vision for our Nation’s future included the creation of a “beloved community” through non-violent action; and

WHEREAS, from December 1955 until April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used the power of words and acts of nonviolent resistance, including protests, grassroots community organizing, and civil disobedience to lead our nation in a quest for civil rights to address what he named the triple evils of American society: racism, war, and poverty. He believed that even under the worst conditions, there is reason to hope; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led communities of color and their allies in the United States in a widespread movement to address ongoing segregation, violent hate crimes, and discrimination in housing, employment, and education. Despite social and systemic opposition, and in the face of violence from those who opposed his message, he persisted in his work toward “creation of a society where men will live together as brothers;” and

WHEREAS, today, people of all backgrounds continue his march — raising their voices to confront hate and discrimination, protect the right to vote, and support access to quality health care, housing, and education. We reflect on Dr. King’s words recognizing that “we are interdependent. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly for we are tied together in a single progress. We are all linked in the great chain of humanity;” and

WHEREAS Dr. King’s life ended tragically with his assassination on April 4, 1968, but his work remains relevant as we meet the same challenges today. We acknowledge significant suffering in the progress for peace and justice for all, and that more than 50 years later, institutional and systemic racism still affects Black and African American communities and communities of diverse ethnicities and religions throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, This year marks what would have been Dr. King’s 96th birthday and the 40th King Holiday Observance by The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. This year’s theme, Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365, honors Dr. King’s dedication to justice through nonviolent action. It serves as a reminder that safeguarding freedom, justice, and democracy is achievable when we unite in love and see each other as neighbors and not enemies. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that January 20th, 2025 is DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. OBSERVATION AND COMMEMORATION DAY in the City of Fort Collins and across Larimer County. In commemoration, we call on the members of this community to reflect on the values and accomplishments of Dr. King and strive to actualize Dr. King’s dream where we choose democracy over autocracy and create a beloved community where service and belonging prevail.

Dated this 20th day of January, 2025.