BOULDER, Colo. (AP) – Boulder has joined other cities across the nation in recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day each year as a way to celebrate Native American culture.

The Daily Camera reports the City Council voted Tuesday in favor of the new holiday, which will be celebrated on Columbus Day each year. Mayor Suzanne Jones said at the city meeting she was sorry the holiday proclamation “took so long.”

The city’s decision culminates months of work spearheaded by the city’s Human Relations Commission. It also comes after Democratic State Rep. Joe Salazar of Thornton authorized a bill this year seeking to replace the state Columbus Day holiday with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

As part of the city’s new holiday declaration, officials have also decided to rename Settlers Park at the mouth of Boulder Canyon.

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Information from: Daily Camera, http://www.dailycamera.com/