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Colorado moves to rename César Chávez Day

John Frank

Denver Arts and Venues facilities workers remove a bust of Cesar Chavez from Cesar Chavez Park on March 19, 2026, in Denver. Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images — Denver Arts and Venues facilities workers remove a bust of Chávez from César Chávez Park last week in Denver. Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

State lawmakers are moving quickly to rename March 31 as Farm Workers Day, stripping César Chávez's name from the optional holiday.

Why it matters: Colorado is the latest state to reckon with Chávez's past after reports that he spent years grooming and sexually abusing women and girls.

Driving the news: The measure won unanimous support in a House committee and is expected to easily clear a full vote in the chamber in the coming days.

Last week, Denver temporarily renamed the upcoming holiday as "Sí Se Puede" Day.

Flashback: In 2021, the Legislature designated March 31 — Chávez's birthday — as a voluntary state holiday in his honor.

What they're saying: "As a Latina, labor advocate and survivor, I strongly believe that our legislation is the responsible way to stand with survivors while continuing to uplift the people who created the labor protections that we all benefit from today," Democratic leader Monica Duran (D-Wheat Ridge) said in a statement.

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Colorado moves to rename César Chávez Day

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