Lunar New Year, Colorado’s Newest Holiday Approaches
Governor Jared Polis recently signed into law a bill designating Lunar New Year as a state holiday. The law, in part, was a response to Asian-American hate crimes across the country and aims to promote inclusivity and celebrate the diversity of Colorado's Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities.
Starting from this year, Lunar New Year will be celebrated on the first Friday of every February, providing an opportunity for people to engage in cultural activities associated with this tradition.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is observed on the first new moon of the calendar, typically falling between late January and mid-February. By establishing it as a state holiday, Colorado aims to make it easier for individuals to take time off and fully participate in the festivities connected to this important cultural event.
Nga Vương-Sandoval, U.S. Refugee Advisory Board project manager and chairperson of the Lunar New Year Allies Advisory Group, advocated for the new law.
He emphasized the desire to showcase pride in the Asian community's long-established presence in Colorado since the 1800s. With the Asian population being the fastest-growing demographic in the United States, the aim is to foster greater inclusivity and encourage others to join in the celebrations.
Mimi Luong, organizer of a Lunar New Year celebration in January through Truong an Gifts, expressed the joy of sharing Chinese traditions with the community during Lunar New Year events. The recognition of this cultural holiday by Colorado marks a significant milestone, making it only the second state after California to officially acknowledge Lunar New Year as a state holiday.
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The Lunar New Year holds immense importance for the Asian community worldwide, with approximately one-fifth of the global population celebrating this event. The holiday is renowned for being the largest annual human migration, as people travel home to reunite with their families. The United Nations recently recognized the significance of Lunar New Year by officially listing it as a U.N. holiday, further solidifying its global recognition.
During Lunar New Year's Day, celebrations are marked by firecrackers, dragon dances, and offerings to ancestors. Generational traditions, such as presenting gifts to the elderly and giving red envelopes containing money or lucky money to children and teenagers, make this holiday a cherished and eagerly anticipated occasion.