This coming week, from Sept. 15 to 21, Grand Lake will how one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the nation. Constitution Week, Grand Lake’s week-long celebration of America’s founding document, includes lectures and discussions with constitution experts, interactive historical activities like musket firing, a veteran’s roundtable, free events for youth, fireworks and a parade.

While Americans all know and celebrate July Fourth, Constitution Week is not well known. Grand Lake seeks to change that.

According to the event organizer Katie Ellis, the town’s celebration is unique — it is the only weeklong celebration of the Constitution in the U.S. that she knows of. Constitution Week is a nationally observed holiday from Sept. 17-23 that commemorates the essential document’s history and importance, and bring attention to how it still serves and is interpreted today. The weeklong holiday was officially designated in 1955, after the Daughters of the American Revolution petitioned Congress.

“The United States Constitution, America’s most important document, stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties, freedoms and inalienable rights,” states the women’s service organization founded in 1890 to promote historical preservation and education.

While patriots and legal scholars will observe this time nationwide, it’s Grand Lake that pulls out all the stops to create a huge lineup of themed events every third week of September. And this year is extra special because it coincides with a nationwide and a statewide patriotic celebration — known as “America 250-Colorado 150.”

Grand Lake’s event is officially a part of this yearlong celebration, which recognizes two milestones coming in 2026: the 250th anniversary of American independence and the 150th anniversary of Colorado becoming a state. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776; Colorado earned statehood 100 years later on Aug. 1, 1876.

Colorado-based events for the America 250-Colorado 150 celebration officially began on July 4 this year and will run until summer 2026.

“This once-in-a-generation commemoration invites every Coloradan to unite in pride and purpose as we honor our shared past and look ahead together,” a news release from the America 250-Colorado 150 Commission states.

Presentations cover Killdozer, free speech, supreme court and separation of powers

Constitution week aims to bring attendees an experience of education, history and positivity, according the organizers.

“The Constitution is for all Americans, and it is a topic we can all unite around,” Ellis said.

On Sept. 16, Grand Lake resident and attorney Brian Blumenfeld will present “The Killdozer and the Constitution: Zoning, Property Rights, and the History of Land Use Law in the U.S. Supreme Court.” The author and law professor has extensively studied the topics of zoning, land use and constitutional government, and plans to teach land use law in 2026 at the University of Wyoming.

A bulldozer rampage by disgruntled Grand County local Marv Heemeyer in 2004 was at least partially spurred by a longstanding zoning disagreement with the town of Granby.

“The dispute played out in the context of a rezoning battle with the neighbors in the town that involved the Granby planning commission, the Granby town board, then also involved a lawsuit between Marv the town and the neighbors, that was resolved by the district court,” Blumenfeld described the events that led to the “Killdozer.”

Blumenfeld added that he won’t wade into the controversy of whether Heemeyer was right or wrong in his beliefs, but instead enlighten people about the laws behind the historic attack. Blumenfeld explained that zoning is “taken for granted by people” because it seems ubiquitous. However, it was actually a landmark Supreme Court case in 1926 that made zoning the law of land.

“There’s some really rich history here that goes all the way up to the Supreme Court, where they decided cases regarding zoning and land use law and how far that can go into controlling private land,” he said. “That’s what I’ll be talking about, and hoping to connect all of those dots.”

During 1926 case, Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co, the justices ruled that zoning is a valid exercise of the state’s police powers, Blumenfeld said.

“We select our speakers based on their expertise and experience in speaking on the Constitution, and they come from a variety of different backgrounds,” Ellis said. “… Their topics are sure to entertain and inspire reflection on America’s Founding documents and our rights as citizens.”

On Sept. 20, keynote speaker Jonathan Turley will give a presentation on the first amendment right of free speech, based on his book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”

“He has been speaking, writing, commentating and teaching about the constitution since the 90s,” Ellis stated. “The Washington Post has described Turley as ‘the dean of legal analysts.'”

Inspiring a new generation of patriots

Constitution Week’s popular Youth Day will kick off of Friday, Sept. 19 with a demonstration of loading and firing muskets.

“We are engaged with the Sons of the American Revolution who will transport the students back in time to the Revolutionary era,” Ellis stated. “This will feature interactive activities so the students can understand the ‘origin story,’ which leads into the writing of the Constitution.”

There will also be hands-on presentations about colonial life and the American Revolution. Presenters will explain what life and school was like during the early days of colonization, as well as what events led the people to fight for independence from Great Britain. Free pizza, go-karts, paddle boats, mini golf and ice cream will on hand.

The climax of the week, Saturday, Sept. 20, opens with a morning parade featuring veterans and local groups such as Taking Steps for Cancer. Mile Hi Fife and Drum Corps will play colonial-era music to demonstrate how this music was used as a means of communication during war. Saxophonist Steve Watts of Dotsero and local band Puddle Stomp will join the fun. A military flyover, fireworks and Turley’s presentation are set to round out the day.

The week-long celebration will end on Sunday, Sept. 21, with a worship service by the Community Church of the Rockies in town park.

Organizers insist the Constitution remains impartial

While Marc Auville, the president of Constitution Week, acknowledges there have misconceptions in the past, he insists this is patriotic event that welcomes to all residents and visitors, whatever their personal beliefs or political affiliations may happen to be. Democrats, Republicans, independents and and all others are invited.

Auville said he’s been disappointed by the increasing division between parties in American society, but maintains a belief that the Constitution is a document we can all celebrate. To him, the U.S. Constitution is a nonpartisan document, just as the Founding Fathers intended it to be.

“This is all about the education and the celebration of the US Constitution, which is really for all Americans, not for particular political parties,” he said. “The (Founding Fathers) gave up everything so that we would have a free and independent nation from from Britain, and that it would be based on us having our unalienable rights.”

All festivities at Constitution Week are free and open to the public, excepting a meet and greet with Jonathan Turley on Saturday, Sept. 20. To purchase tickets for this event, please visit GrandLakeUSConstitutionWeek.com/Meet-And-Greet. Appetizers will be served.

To see a full schedule of events, go to GrandLakeUSConstitutionWeek.com.