DENVER — Colorado Governor Jared Polis, joined by the Consul General of Canada in Denver, Sarah Quigley, raised the Canadian flag at the Colorado State Capitol on March 15, in honour of the second annual Colorado-Canada Friendship Day.

While Canada-to-U.S. tourism is down by double digits, inbound passengers from Canada to Colorado only decreased 3% in 2025 compared to 2024.

Not only that, but airline capacity between Denver and Canada in 2026 is up 2% year-over-year. This includes nonstop service from Regina, which began spring 2025.

“I am very excited to be celebrating our second Colorado-Canada Friendship Day, joining together with our neighbours to the north to recognize the importance of working together internationally  and building strong  cultural and economic partnerships. Usually raising the Canadian and Colorado flags together means a competitive Rockies vs. Blue Jays game is about to happen, but in this case it is symbolic of our great partnership with Canada, proving that even in challenging times, we can work together to grow our economy and celebrate our cultural connections,” said Governor Polis.

Consul General Quigley said the celebration “is a wonderful reminder of the deep ties, shared values, and vibrant economic and cultural connections between Colorado and Canada.”

“I KNOW THAT CANADIANS ARE A VERY DISCERNING PEOPLE”

Governor Polis spoke to Profession Voyages recently about why it was so important to him to celebrate Coloradoʻs Canadian partners and visitors with a special day.

“I was so embarrassed by the national dialogue and by the comments made by our president that I wanted to remind our Canadian friends how important our friendship with them is; I looked for a way to say it loud and clear,” Governor Polis told Profession Voyages.

“I know that Canadians are very discerning people and can tell the difference between a state where they don’t feel welcome and one where they do,” he added. “And we want to make sure they truly feel welcome here.”

Coloradoʻs event calendar for 2027 includes the Sundance Film Festival in Boulder, Outside Days in Denver, and the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, as well as the expansion of the Michelin Guide all across CO.

The team from the Colorado Tourism Office was in Canada as recently as last month, celebrating the stateʻs 150th anniversary – and its commitment to the Canadian market. “No matter what’s happening, we’ll be here,” CTO Director Tim Wolfe told Travelweek.

Lead image caption: Governor Polis and Canada Consul General in Denver Sarah Quigley speak at Colorado Canada Friendship Day