The U.S. Postal Service will dedicate the Colorado Statehood Forever stamp on January 24, 2026, at the History Colorado Center in Denver, marking the state’s upcoming 150th anniversary of joining the Union.
The stamp features a photograph of Jagged Mountain in the Weminuche Wilderness area of the San Juan National Forest, captured by renowned Colorado nature photographer John Fielder, who passed away in 2023. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp using Fielder’s existing image.
The Honorable Amber F. McReynolds, chairwoman of the USPS Board of Governors, will serve as the dedicating official. The first-day-of-issue ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time and is free and open to the public.
The event coincides with the opening of the “Mountains Majesty: On the Summit with John Fielder” exhibition at the History Colorado Center. This display showcases member-selected photographs from Fielder’s extensive collection, highlighting Colorado’s mountain landscapes as part of the state’s sesquicentennial celebrations.
Forever stamps hold value equal to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate regardless of future price changes. Collectors and the public can purchase the stamp at post offices nationwide, online through The Postal Store, or by calling 844-737-7826 starting January 24, 2026. News of the issuance is shared on social media using the hashtag #ColoradoStamp.
Colorado entered the Union as the 38th state on August 1, 1876, exactly 100 years after the Declaration of Independence, earning its nickname the Centennial State. The name derives from Spanish explorers’ description of the reddish silt in the Colorado River.
Jagged Mountain, part of the Needle Mountains in the San Juan range, exemplifies the rugged terrain that defines much of the state. At an average elevation of about 6,800 feet—the highest among U.S. states—Colorado hosts diverse ecosystems from alpine tundra to high plains.
The state maintains four national parks: Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, and Mesa Verde. Additional protected areas include national forests, monuments, and wildlife refuges supporting year-round recreation. Over 39,000 miles of hiking trails and world-class ski resorts draw visitors to these public lands.
Cultural attractions abound, including museums like the History Colorado Center, Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. Hundreds of historic ghost towns reflect mining heritage, while a growing craft brewery scene and local food initiatives—through food hubs and nonprofits—promote sustainable agriculture.
Archaeological sites underscore deep human history. Ancestral Puebloans constructed cliff dwellings in southwestern Colorado, preserved at Mesa Verde. Tribes such as the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, Pawnee, Shoshone, and Lakota have longstanding ties to the land, with many continuing to reside in the state.
John Fielder’s legacy endures through his donation of over 6,000 photographs to History Colorado, documenting changes across the state’s landscapes over decades. His work supported conservation efforts, capturing remote areas like the Weminuche Wilderness.
The History Colorado Center, located at 1200 Broadway, serves as a hub for exploring state history through interactive exhibits and collections. The new exhibition allows visitors to experience Fielder’s summit views, selected by museum members to celebrate Colorado’s natural majesty.
Philatelists often seek first-day covers from dedication ceremonies. The USPS Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee reviews proposals for commemorative subjects, ensuring representations of national significance.
This issuance joins previous stamps honoring states on milestone anniversaries, using imagery that evokes geographic identity.
