Governor Polis Orders Flag to Fly at Half-Staff in Honor of Former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell on Day of Memorial

Today, Governor Jared Polis announced that flags will be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide from sunrise to sunset on Monday, April 13, 2026, to honor the former United States Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell on the day of his memorial.

“Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell served in uniform, in the Colorado state house, the U.S House of Representatives, the United States Senate, and on the 1964 Olympics judo team, representing Colorado with compassion and devotion. His commitment to addressing the issues that Coloradans care most about through bipartisanship and his leadership to strengthen tribal relations made Colorado and the nation stronger,” said Governor Polis.

Governor Polis previously announced that flags would be lowered on the day of the service to mark the Senator’s passing. In that initial announcement, Governor Polis reflected on Senator Campbell’s legacy as a public servant, veteran, and Olympic athlete, noting that his contributions leave a lasting legacy to the state and nation.

The public memorial service is scheduled to take place on April 13, 2026 at the Sky Ute Event Center in Ignacio, beginning at 1 pm.