Lunar New Year will be an observed holiday in Colorado

The Colorado legislature passed HB 23-1271 which will recognized Lunar New Year as an Observed Holiday in the state. On June 2, Governor Polis will sign the bill.

“The bill signing will officially commemorate this significant holiday for our AAPI community and the State of Colorado,” said Nga Vương-Sandoval, chair of the Lunar New Year Allies (LUNA) advisory group.

In addition to Vương-Sandoval, LUNA includes community leaders: Harry Budisidharta, Fran Campbell, Gary Yamashita, Fr. Joseph Dang, and Derek Okubo.

Vương-Sandoval said: “I’m grateful to have worked alongside these community leaders on our Lunar New Year bill since last year. We’ve spent countless hours drafting the language, ensuring that the bill reflects our diverse Asian communities who celebrate this holiday, and have shared much laughter in the process.”

In 2022, California designated Lunar New Year a paid state holiday. Unlike an official state holiday that would give state employees a paid day off and close government offices, in Colorado, Lunar New Year will be an observed holiday on the first Friday of February every year.

César Chávez Day is also an observed holiday in Colorado.

According to the bill, “The general assembly finds and declares that designating Lunar New Year Day as an observed state holiday permits Coloradans the time to celebrate Asian American culture and recognize an important part of the fabric of United States diversity.”

“Over two billion people celebrate Lunar New Year worldwide. Participants in Lunar New Year uphold the tradition of spending time and sharing blessings with family and loved ones. It is traditionally a period to wish upon others good fortune, health, prosperity, and happiness.”

The bill also acknowledges the chal- lenges and discrimination experienced by Asian Americans since the start of the pandemic.

It reads: “For the past three years, Asian Americans have been experiencing a surge in anti-Asian hate crime. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, police departments have reported an increase in hate crimes targeted at Asian Americans. A growing population coupled with increased activism has boosted Asian American visibility and political power just as a rising tide of anti-Asian sentiment has led to discrimination, isolation, and violence against people of Asian descent. Increasing the visibility of cultural traditions that are widely celebrated among the Asian diaspora would serve as a counterbalance to the marginalization that many in the Asian American community have encountered over the years.”

Primary bill sponsors were Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Rep. Matt Soper, and Senator Julie Gonzales.

On January 23, the Colorado Legislature welcomed members from the Asian community to the State Capitol for a commendation read by Senator Julie Gonzales and Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez in celebration of Lunar New Year.

14th Annual Asian American Heroes Of Colorado