A one-day celebration replaced what's historically been an all-weekend event in Denver, celebrating the day the last slaves in America learned they were freed.

A federal holiday is coming up on Thursday to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, first declared a federal holiday in 2021, has a history stretching back to Civil War-era America but rose in popularity in the months after the 2020 racial justice protests across the nation.

In Denver, for example, more than a dozen companies backed out of supporting the Juneteenth Music Festival, which is one of the city’s biggest celebrations of the holiday, according to Norman Harris, executive director of JMF Corporation, which puts on the event.

Two full weekends of action at the Alamosa Round-Up. Ranch Rodeo Friday, Demolition Derby Saturday, Local Barrels and Mutton Bustin' June 19, PRCA Rodeo June 20, PRCA Rodeo and Chancey Williams concert, June 21. rodeoticket.com

Volunteers work on putting up tent for display for the Juneteenth celebration in the Five Points neighborhood where the event is staged Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David

Different events will take place in the Upstate for the Juneteenth holiday as many celebrate African American independence.

The City of Boulder will hold a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate Juneteenth on Monday, June 16, at the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building at 3 p.m.