Memorial Day 2021: What's Open, Closed In Denver

DENVER, CO — Many services, agencies and government offices in Denver will be closed on Monday.

Memorial Day is a holiday people throughout Colorado and across America look forward to every year as the start of summer, but the holiday also gives people a chance to remember all American lives lost during military service.

The mayor's office, city council offices, clerk and recorder's office, auditor's office and most city agencies will be closed in Denver.

What's open, closed in Denver on Memorial Day

• Denver Health - open
• Trash, recycling and compost collection - will not be collected Monday. Collection will be delayed one day the remainder of the week.
• Parking meters - Parking meters are free on Sundays and on recognized city holidays, and will be free Monday. Drivers are reminded to observe the time restrictions posted.
• Denver's 311 Information line - closed; service requests can be submitted over your phone at Pocketgov or online here.
• Denver Recreation Centers - all city centers will be closed Monday.
• Denver Animal Shelter - closed; however, the night drop kennels will be open and can be accessed to the left of the front doors if a lost pet is found while the shelter is closed.
• City-owned golf facilities - open, weather permitting.
• Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater - open

Businesses

• Costco: Warehouses are closed on Memorial Day.
• CVS: All stores will be open regular hours (some stores are open 24 hours). Check local store hours
• King Soopers: All stores will be open regular hours. Check local store hours
• Safeway: Most stores will be open regular hours from 5 a.m. to midnight. Pharmacy hours may vary by location. Check local store hours
• Target: Most stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Memorial Day weekend. Check local store hours
• Trader Joe’s: Stores will be open regular hours on Memorial Day. Check local store hours
• Walgreens: Stores and pharmacies will be open regular hours, but vary by location. Check local store hours
• Walmart: Stores will be open regular hours. Check local store hours
• Whole Foods: Stores will be open regular hours for the holiday. Check local store hours

Remembering veterans who died while in military service in late May dates back to 1868, when Gen. John A. Logan called for a day of remembrance to honor the Northern lives lost amid battle during the Civil War that had ended just a few years earlier. Logan called it "Decoration Day," which it was known as for several years. As time passed, more and more people called it Memorial Day, and it became a federal holiday in 1971.

Until World War I, Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, was only meant to honor those who died while fighting for the union in the Civil War, as Southern states honored their war dead on a separate day. After the 116,000-plus American deaths in World War I, the holiday took on a new role to remember all who have died while serving in the military.

Every year, a national moment of remembrance is held at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. The midday time was chosen "because it is the time when many Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday," according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Read also:

• Memorial Day History, How Colorado Remembers: 5 Things To Know
• Memorial Day Flag Etiquette: Displaying Old Glory Properly In CO