2026 Proclamations

Whereas, Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the third Monday in January to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights leader, minister, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient; and,

Whereas, the third Monday of January is the date nearest King’s birthday, which is January 15; and,

Whereas, the campaign for a federal holiday began after King’s assassination in 1968, with President Ronald Reagan signing it into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986; and,

Whereas, Colorado was the first state to recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a state holiday in 1984, and all 50 states recognized it as a holiday by 2000; and,

Whereas, the purpose of this holiday is to reflect on Dr. King’s contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, his advocacy for justice, and the ongoing struggle for equality; and,

Whereas, this holiday is designated as a National Day of Service, it promotes volunteerism through community cleanups, food drives, and acts of kindness; it is a “day on, not a day off” to build the beloved community King envisioned; and,

Whereas, the holiday is a U.S. federal holiday, it is also commemorated in other parts of the world, including areas of Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Board of Commissioners, of the County of Adams, State of Colorado, proclaims January 19 as “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day” and it is the hope of the Board of County Commissioners that we continue to strive toward Dr. King’s dream that we can all live in a nation where we are judged not by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character. The Board of County Commissioners urges all residents to reflect on this important day, engage with their neighbors, and consider volunteering as part of the National Day of Service.

Whereas, human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery involving the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit individuals for labor or commercial sex; and,

Whereas, human trafficking affects individuals of all ages, genders, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds and occurs in communities across the nation, including our own; and,

Whereas, victims of human trafficking are often hidden in plain sight and may be fearful or unable to seek help without awareness, education, and community support; and,

Whereas, law enforcement agencies, victim advocates, service providers, and community partners play a vital role in identifying victims, holding offenders accountable, and connecting survivors to critical resources; and,

Whereas, public awareness and education are essential to preventing human trafficking and ensuring community members recognize the signs and know how to report suspected activity; and,

Whereas, January is nationally recognized as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, providing an opportunity to raise awareness, support survivors, and strengthen prevention efforts.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Board of Commissioners, of the Count of Adams, State of Colorado, recognizes January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month and encourages all residents to educate themselves, support prevention initiatives, and work together to protect the safety and dignity of all individuals.

Be It Further Proclaimed, that we reaffirm our commitment to collaboration with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office on enforcement, and victim-centered approaches to prevent human trafficking and assist survivors within our community.