In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Public invited to free CMC presentation

Because Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is on Monday, Jan. 19 this year, is a federal holiday, most federal agencies and government-related entities close — and many educational institutions follow suit. Colorado Mountain College stays open and holds events that honor work in the spirit of the late Dr. King.

This year, a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration, hosted by the Colorado Mountain College Center for Civics Education & Engagement, is the first collegewide event of the Center for Civics and will explore the enduring impact of King’s constitutional vision and Colorado’s unique role in shaping democracy.

The presentation will be live at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs. Additionally, community members throughout the college's district are welcome and encouraged to attend watch parties at their local campus with Cookies & conversation following the event. The presentation will also be streamed live via Zoom.

A collegewide, virtual presentation

On Jan. 19, CMC’s event from 3-4:30 p.m. is part of ongoing commemoration activities taking place at the college throughout 2026 for Colorado’s 150th anniversary and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

CMC President Dr. Matt Gianneschi will open the event with a brief look at CMC’s 250/150 celebrations and Colorado’s constitutional legacy.

The country will celebrate its semi quincentennial on July 4, 2026, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Less than a month later, Colorado — which entered the union as the Centennial State on Aug. 1, 1876 — will commemorate 150 years of statehood with its sesquicentennial celebration.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Susan Schulten, is the Colorado state historian, a history professor at the University of Denver since 1996, and the author of several history-related books. She will share insights on the women’s suffrage movement and Colorado’s leadership in shaping our democracy since it became a state.

Students to share perspectives

An interactive question-and-answer session will feature four CMC history students, Schulten and the college community.

The students will reflect on King’s vision for justice and share their hopes for Colorado’s next 150 years after attending history classes taught by Gianneschi at CMC Spring Valley and CMC Rifle, at CMC Spring Valley by Becky Musselman and at CMC Breckenridge by Jotwan Daniels.

The students will focus on four related areas: “Looking Back: Lessons from the Past/What Have We Learned?,”  “The Work That Remains,” “Your Generation’s Role” and “Looking Forward: The Future You Imagine.”

The public is welcome to attend the free event in person at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs. Additionally, all CMC campuses, except for the Glenwood Center, are hosting local watch parties; the event will also be livestreamed. Register for the Zoom session or attend the program at CMC’s Morgridge Commons, 815 Cooper Ave., 2nd Floor, Glenwood Springs. More information is available at 970-945-8691 or CMC's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.