As the United States approaches its Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office proudly joined the National Flag Foundation (NFF), America250, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the County Sheriffs of Colorado (CSOC), in honoring the Flag Sojourn 250 campaign — a nationwide journey of a single American flag commemorating 250 years of American independence.
The Flag Sojourn 250 is more than a journey — it is a solemn tribute. The initiative honors the American flag as our nation’s most enduring symbol. It pays respect to the men and women who have given their lives in service to the ideals it represents.
The odyssey began on Flag Day, June 14, 2025, during a ceremony hosted by the Vietnam Veterans of America. The National Flag Foundation presented the American flag to representatives of the American Battle Monuments Commission, launching a year-long international voyage which included all 26 American military cemeteries in ten countries, as well as U.S. territories in the Pacific and Atlantic. The Flag returned to the United States on October 8, 2025.
With the support of the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Flag is now traveling across the United States as part of its domestic passage, culminating in Washington, D.C., in July 2026, where it will be raised and formally presented to the America250 Committee in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with County Sheriffs of Colorado (CSOC) and the 63 additional sheriffs across the state, participated in a ceremony at the Colorado State Capitol to commemorate the Flag Sojourn 250’s time in Colorado.
Yesterday, members of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard paid tribute to our nation during the ceremony at the Colorado State Capitol, standing in tribute to the Flag and the service members it honors.
El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal stated:
“It is a privilege to stand with our fellow sheriffs, veterans, and community partners in honoring this historic journey of the American flag. This sojourn represents the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of generations of Americans who believed in the promise of freedom. As this flag travels across our nation, it serves as a powerful reminder of how our shared history binds us together and the American spirit of freedom and perseverance endures.”
Americans may follow the Flag’s travel route through interactive maps, photos, and narratives available on the National Flag Foundation website.