Colorado celebrates its friendship with Canada

Colorado Governor Jared Polis was joined by the Consul General of Canada in Denver, Sarah Quigley, to celebrate the proclamation of the second annual Colorado-Canada Friendship Day by raising the Canadian National Flag at the Colorado State Capitol this past weekend.

Governor Polis said: “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.”

The Governor continued: “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.”

Consul General Quigley observed: “This celebration is a wonderful reminder of the deep ties, shared values, and vibrant economic and cultural connections between Colorado and Canada. We are grateful for Governor Polis’ leadership and partnership today and every day.”

Since the inaugural 2025 Colorado-Canada Friendship Day, Colorado and Canada have prioritized consistent collaboration, including the 2025 Biennial of the Americas Summit and strategic engagements through the Colorado Tourism Office and the Global Business Development Division at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).

These efforts have strengthened the relationship between the two regions and exceeded national trends.

While U.S. tourism entities report declines in Canadian traffic of 22% in 2025, inbound passengers from Canada to Colorado only decreased 3% compared to 2024. Additionally, airline capacity between Denver and Canada is up 2% year-over-year in 2026, according to Denver International Airport. This includes non-stop service from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, which began spring 2025.

Looking ahead, landmark events like the 2027 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 across the entire state of Colorado, will all boost awareness of Colorado among international travelers, including those from Canada.

In 2025, Colorado exported $1.6 billion in Colorado goods and produce to Canada, accounting for 14% of Colorado’s trade exports. The food sector in Colorado is a major driver, with a significant amount of exported Colorado beef, supporting our local hardworking farmers and ranchers.

In the same year, 183,216 visitors travelled from Canada to enjoy Colorado, strengthening our tourism industry and supporting small businesses and our economy. Colorado is also home to 475 Canadian-owned companies employing 22,250 Colorado workers.