New Year’s Day (Jan 1):
Start of the new year
Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday of January):
Martin Luther King Day (MLK) honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent leader in the civil rights movement.
Lunar New Year (date varies between January 21 and February 20):
Lunar New Year is a significant cultural celebration for many Asian communities, marking the beginning of the lunar calendar year.
Black History Month (February):
Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.
Women's History Month (March):
Women's History Month provides an opportunity to honor the achievements and contributions of women throughout history and at CU Denver.
Cesar Chavez Day (March 31):
Cesar Chavez Day is an opportunity to commemorate the legacy of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez and his tireless advocacy for farmworkers' rights.
Asian American Pacific Islander Month (May):
Recognizing Asian American Pacific Islander Month allows us to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
Memorial Day (Last Monday of May):
A day of honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month (June):
LGBTQ+ Pride Month is a month dedicated to celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer pride. Pride month began after the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests in 1969.
Juneteenth (June 19):
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and represents a pivotal moment in our nation's history.
Disability Pride Month (July):
The month celebrates disability culture with the intention to progressively influence the way civilization thinks about and or perceives disabilities with the ultimate goal to put an end to stigmas surrounding disability.
Independence Day (July 4):
Commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America
Labor Day (First Monday of September):
A day to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.
National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15):
National Hispanic Heritage Month offers an opportunity to celebrate the vibrant culture, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities.
Indigenous People's Day (Second Monday of October):
Indigenous People's Day recognizes and celebrates the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous communities.
Native American Heritage Month (November):
Promoting Native American Heritage Month allows us to honor and recognize the rich history, traditions, and contributions of Native American communities.
Veteran's Day (November 11):
On Veteran's Day, we honor and express gratitude to the veterans in our community who have served our country. CU Denver's recognition as a Gold Award Military Friendly School demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality education and tailored support to service members and their families. Through our dedicated Veteran & Military Student Services (VMSS) office, we ensure a welcoming and supportive environment for our military-affiliated students.
Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday of November):
Originally celebrated as a harvest festival, Thanksgiving is now celebrated as a means of giving thanks for family, friends, food, health and other positive attitudes.
Winter Break (December):
A school holiday observed between fall and spring semester.
