Colorado SunFest 2026 is a daylong event bringing Coloradans together to discuss what makes A Better Colorado. Find out more about specific sessions planned for Friday, May 1, below.
Panel Name: Colorado Turns 150
Moderator: Reporter Parker Yamasaki
On Aug. 1, Colorado will mark its 150th year of statehood, and to celebrate, The Colorado Sun is working on a series called Colorado 150, a curated list of 150 things that make the state colorful. The conversation, as part of the celebration, will look into the state’s history and how it’s been told and shaped. While Colorado is working to broaden its history, the federal government is working to narrow it.
Panelists Jason Hanson, chief creative officer and director of interpretation & research at History Colorado, and Annie Levinsky, vice president of History Colorado, will explore Colorado’s history and the current “heritage audit” going on at History Colorado.
Jason Hanson, chief creative officer and director of interpretation & research at History Colorado
Hanson has worked for History Colorado since 2016, serving as the chief creative officer of interpretation and research, as well as the deputy state historian. In his role, he works closely with the Colorado State Historian’s Council as the deputy state historian, and is a member of the state’s American 250-Colorado 150 Commission.
Previously, Hanson has served as research faculty for the University of Colorado’s Center of the American West in Boulder, and a production editor for Elsevier Publishing.
His most recent book, “Brewed at Altitude: A Beer Lover’s History of Colorado,” with Sam Bock, was recently published to mark 150 years as the Centennial State.
He received his Master of Arts in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado-Denver and his Master of Arts in History from the University of Colorado-Boulder.
Annie Levinsky, vice president of History Colorado
Levinsky is leading the Heritage for All project, a part of the Colorado 150th celebration and the country’s 250th celebration, the project aims to change the way community preservation is viewed.
Previously, she served as executive director for Historic Denver, Inc. for more than 12 years, and worked at the Molly Brown House Museum, located in Denver and owned by Historic Denver — for more than six years.
Levinsky received her degree from Colorado College.
The panel, “Colorado turns 150” is one of 11 conversations scheduled for Colorado SunFest 2026.
The fourth annual Colorado SunFest is Friday, May 1, at Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs on the University of Denver campus. Tickets for the event are available on The Colorado SunFest event page.
Other Colorado SunFest Sessions
- Keynote Speaker: Dean Baquet, former New York Times editor
- Colorado Weather: Always Pack a Coat
- Challenges and solutions for an aging population
- How Coloradans are feeling heading into a big election year
- Housing – Any relief in the high country?
- What is a River: A visual showcase of the Arkansas River