Columbus Day in Southern Colorado

Today is Columbus Day, and many state and county offices are closed across Southern Colorado, including the post office.

City offices in Colorado Springs are open today.

There will be no meetings Monday of the Pueblo Board of County Commissioners or Pueblo City Council.

The Sons of Italy are planning to pay their annual homage to explorer Christopher Columbus today in Pueblo.

This year, the wreath-laying will include the unveiling of the refurbished statue. The festivities will include a re-dedication of the monument, first dedicated 109 years ago.

The past several Columbus Day celebrations have brought protests from Hispanics and Native Americans who say the arrival of Columbus hurt their cultures.

Our partners at the Pueblo Chieftain report local police have kept both sides apart, but celebrators and protesters engage in verbal battle every year.