The America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission is taking its milestone celebrations to new heights with Stories in the Sky, a series of nearly 150 community drone shows lighting up Colorado’s skies from September 2025 through December 2026, creating unforgettable moments for millions of Coloradans and visitors alike. This sweeping effort was developed in partnership with the Commission, Colorado Tourism Office and Visit Denver, and is built on two major programs working in concert through the end of 2026.

One program, the Stories in the Sky Statewide Series, is being sponsored by Chevron, Tallgrass and UCHealth and will bring dazzling drone shows to communities across Colorado. The tour kicks off on September 27, 2025, at the University of Colorado football game in Boulder and will travel across the state, from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope, throughout 2026.

The second program, Mile High Holidays Nightly Drone Spectacular, is hosted by Visit Denver. This beloved annual celebration will serve as a cornerstone of the anniversary festivities. The 40-night extravaganza will light up the Denver skyline nightly starting November 21, 2025, and continue throughout the 2025 holiday season, and will return for an encore in 2026.

“Drone shows are a fresh, family-friendly way to celebrate these anniversaries and connect communities,” said Dick Monfort, America 250 – Colorado 150 Commissioner and CEO of the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club. “They’ll inspire pride in Colorado and the United States as we mark these milestones while offering a modern, jaw-dropping spectacle.”

“Nightly drone shows return for Mile High Holidays, and we are thrilled to partner with the Commission to elevate this celebration for the state’s historic anniversary,” said Richard Scharf, President & CEO at Visit Denver. “We’re proud to run the longest-running series in the state, welcoming locals and visitors alike to celebrate the season as part of this incredible statewide event.”

Both programs are produced by Brightflight Drone Shows and will feature hundreds of synchronized drones creating dazzling animations. Visit Denver’s holiday show will feature festive scenes and tributes to Denver landmarks, while the “Stories in the Sky” series will feature custom animations unique to each host location—like trains steaming across the plains in Fort Morgan or snow-capped peaks over Breckenridge.

“As a company focused on developing the energy that improves lives and powers the state forward, Chevron is proud to help light up Colorado’s skies,” said Bobby Hulett, Chevron Director of the Colorado Region. “These shows are a perfect way to bring people together and honor the spirit of innovation and resilience that has defined our state.”

“As a Colorado native and lifelong resident, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our state’s 150th birthday,” said Gary Watkins, Chief Financial Officer of Tallgrass. “These shows will bring our communities closer, celebrating the values we share as Coloradans, and at Tallgrass we’re honored to join in marking this historic milestone.”

“UCHealth is excited to partner on this inspiring initiative,” said Manny Rodriguez, Chief Marketing, Experience and Customer Officer at UCHealth. “Just like great health care, these shows will reach people where they are, bringing joy, connection, and celebration to communities across Colorado.”

The commission, established by the state legislature, aims to create significant celebrations including long-lasting commemorations and signature events, with this drone display being one planned highlight. 

The commission was directed to develop and promote plans for activities between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, including historical activities, publication of historical documents, public ceremonies, educational activities for Colorado youth, and other commemorative events, to be supported by comprehensive marketing and tourism campaigns.

The commission was also required to identify, celebrate, and build knowledge around the history of Black communities, Indigenous communities, communities of color, women, and people with disabilities. In addition, the commission also set out to ensure that the activities planned by the commission represented the geographic and demographic diversity of the state and are accessible to people with disabilities and to communities throughout the state on an equitable basis.