08-20-24 Interview - Milo Marquez, Commissioner of the 250 / 150 Commission

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now we're going to welcome Milo Marquez, a commissioner on
the two fifty one to fifty Commission, to the show
to talk about what we're planning to do to celebrate
in Colorado. Milo, first of all, thank you for your
flexibility on this. Obviously we're at the DNC and things
are a little fluid right now, so I appreciate you
giving us a little time with the governor and then
coming on with us.

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Now, Hi, Mandy, thank you so much for having me on.
And no worries about the governor. I understand he's a
little more important than I am right now.

Speaker 1 (00:29):
Well, I think you're important because you're planning our big party.
We in Colorado turn one hundred and fifty next year
the country turns two hundred and fifty. What are you
guys working on right now at the two fifty one
to fifty Commission.

Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, yeah, Mandy. You know, first of all, I'm very
honored to serve as a commissioner on the Colorado one
to fifty America two to fifty Commission, and I'd like
to thank Governor Polus and others who supported my appointment
onto this commission. But I'd like to give you a
little quick background. You know, I'm a fifty generation denverright.
My ancestors have been in Colorado region since before Colorado

(01:05):
became a state and long before even the formation of
our nation. This is why the commission is so important
to me and so many families that share a similar history.
For those that can remember nineteen seventy six, Colorado's by centennial,
unfortunately I can't remember it. I wasn't born yet. But
the vice Centennial was a great celebration. However, not all

(01:26):
cultures and all traditions were equally celebrated. We as commissioners
in Colorado, really hope to change that in twenty twenty six.

Speaker 1 (01:35):
Well, I'm excited because I was alive in nineteen seventy six,
and I remember that the country really rallied around nineteen
seventy six, and there was so much just unabashed patriotism
and love of country. And I hope that we get
back to that in twenty twenty six. What are we
working on? What can we expect?

Speaker 2 (01:56):
Yeah, Well, as we quickly approached twenty twenty six, we
wanted sure that all Colorado's and all Americans are celebrated
and honored together, and we recognize that we've played a
major part in weaving the rich fabric of our state
and our nation. In twenty twenty six, our nation will
celebrate its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of our nation,

(02:18):
the Semi Quinn Centennial, And that same year, Colorado will
probably market its one hundred and fiftieth years our state's
Sequit Centennial. And together, this is going to be a
tough one. Together, we call this celebration the Sesqui Semiquin Centennial. Gonument. Yeah,
these two monumental milestones offer us a very unique opportunity

(02:42):
to reflect on our shared paths and chart a course
for our future. Right now, we're encouraging communities throughout Colorado
and Denver to undertake diverse and imaginative efforts as we
commemorate these significant anniversaries. It's a time for us to
honor the collective journey that we have all that has
all brought us to where we are today, and imagine

(03:05):
the trails we can explore together as we move forward.
It's really time to come together and celebrate our history,
recognize our progress that we've made, and envision of future
where we can all unified in our commitment to growth
inclusion and prosperity for all.

Speaker 1 (03:21):
So are there ways that people can participate in the planning?
I know you guys have a committee full of people,
city council members and others like yourself. Is there a
way for the public to get involved?

Speaker 2 (03:35):
Yeah, So, our Commission is really looking forward to seeing
the incredible ways our communities can come together in this
once in a lifetime celebration. Our Commission will be going
into our communities, bringing them together to get and really
get excited about the possibilities. We'll be holding explanation and

(03:57):
listening sessions throughout the state of Colorado this week. This Thursday,
two days from now, we'll be holding community gatherings to
learn more about the Colorado one p fifty America two
fifty this Thursday, August twenty second, from three to five
pm at the Commons on Champas Street in Denver that's

(04:17):
twelve forty five Champa Street in downtown Denver. Parking is limited,
so we would encourage folks to really plan ahead. There's
parking lots in meter parking in the area, but we
encourage people to attend this gathering so we can listen
to them and hopefully they can tell us how they
envision celebrating this important celebration in twenty twenty six. We

(04:43):
will also be hosting a second information center session on Wednesday,
September fourth, from six to seven pm at the Denver
Museum of Nature and Science in Denver City Park, which
is located right next to the Denver Zoom.

Speaker 1 (04:57):
Is there a website they can go to Milo with
this information a little too soon in the planning, there is.

Speaker 2 (05:03):
A website, our website. You can go onto his History Colorado,
has it okay Colorado? You can you can go onto
the History Colorado website, or you can look at the
America two fifty Colorado one fifty and if you just
go into your search engine and type in Colorado one fifty,
America to fifty, it will take you to our website.

Speaker 1 (05:25):
Myla Marquez. I appreciate your time today and your flexibility,
and obviously we're going to be talking more in the
future as things start to come together. But I love
that you guys are asking for people's help and I
appreciate your time today.

Speaker 2 (05:36):
Thank you so much, Mandy. I appreciate it.