Juneteenth Closures and Celebrations in Denver
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By Amelia Hernandez | DENVER – 2025/06/18 18:11:36
As temperatures rise into the upper 90s on Thursday, many Denver residents will observe Juneteenth with a day off.
The holiday, a blend of “June” and “19th,” marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. This occurred more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday in 2021 by President Joe Biden. Denver’s annual Juneteenth festival took place last weekend in Five Points, celebrating Black history and culture in the neighborhood.
Government offices throughout metro Denver will be closed for the holiday, including the Mayor’s Office, City Council, the Clerk and Recorder, the Auditor, and most other city agencies, according to a statement from the Denver Mayor’s Office.
Parking meters will be free on Thursday, as with all recognized city holidays.
Emergency and 24-hour services will remain open, including Denver Health, Denver International Airport, the Denver Police Department, and Denver Fire.Events at arts and venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, and the McNichols Civic Center Building will proceed as scheduled.
The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, including the Denver Animal Shelter and the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner, will be closed to the public. Night Drop kennels will be accessible to the left of the front doors for found pets.
The Denver County Court and all state-operated courts, including Denver District Court, Juvenile Court, and Probate Court, will be closed. Denver Motor Vehicle Registration will also be closed.
Denver Human Services will be closed,but child and adult protection emergency response teams and telephone hotlines will be active. Denver Human rights & Community Partnerships will be closed; individuals wishing to file a discrimination complaint or request accommodations can do so through the city’s website.
All Denver Public Library locations will be closed.
Denver Workforce Centers will be closed, but online resources are available via email at workforce@denvergov.org or on the city’s website.
The next federal holiday is Independence Day on Friday,July 4.
Juneteenth was designated as a paid federal holiday by President Joe Biden in 2021.
frequently Asked Questions About Juneteenth in Denver
Q: Are government offices closed in Denver for Juneteenth?
A: Yes, most government offices in metro Denver are closed for the Juneteenth holiday, including the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and other city agencies.
Q: Is parking free in Denver on Juneteenth?
A: Yes, parking meters are free on Juneteenth, similar to other recognized city holidays.
Q: What services remain open in Denver during the Juneteenth holiday?
A: Emergency and 24-hour services such as Denver Health, Denver International Airport, the Denver Police Department, and Denver Fire will remain open. Additionally, events at arts and venues like Red Rocks amphitheatre will not be affected.
