Area residents celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day in Durango

Participants marched through downtown to Buckley Park in Durango to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday. Though many Colorado municipalities recognize it as a holiday, the state has failed to pass a resolution making it official. Colorado no longer recognizes Columbus Day as an official state holiday. Last year President Biden made Indigenous Peoples Day a federal holiday.

A tone-deaf post featuring Columbus Day on the city of Durango's Facebook page on Monday morning was quickly replaced with one honoring Indigenous Peoples Day, which Durango has recognized through a resolution passed in 2016. Local activists say this is an example of the lack of awareness.