Colorado Mountain College will commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a virtual event titled “A Legacy of Courage: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, according to a CMC news release.

The event will feature keynote speaker Judge Gary M. Jackson, a Colorado native and prominent legal leader. Jackson graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a law degree in 1970. His distinguished career includes service with the Denver District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Colorado.

Jackson has received numerous judicial honors and played a key role in the development of Coors Field in Denver. He is also known for his work to expand judicial diversity in Colorado. Gov. Jared Polis appointed him to the state’s commission for its 150th anniversary in 2026.

During his presentation, Jackson will discuss the history of Lincoln Hills, a Black-owned resort established in 1922 in the mountains west of Denver. Built as a response to the Tulsa Race Massacre and segregation, Lincoln Hills became a rare sanctuary for Black Americans in the Mountain West, according to History Colorado.

The event will begin live from CMC’s Steamboat Springs campus, with Jackson delivering his keynote address at 11:20 a.m. CMC President Matt Gianneschi will host a fireside chat at 11:45 a.m., followed by an open Q&A session at 12:05 p.m. The event will conclude at 12:30 p.m.

For more information or to register for the Zoom presentation, visit coloradomtn.edu/event/mlk-day-2025. Questions can be directed to CMC Special Projects Coordinator Kari Brown at 970-384-8519, or, kebrown@coloradomtn.edu.