Pride flags flown from town flagpoles in Erie were briefly removed last week after officials determined that they had been raised in violation of a 2021 policy limiting ceremonial flag displays to “those supported by a Presidential or Gubernatorial proclamation.” President Trump has not issued such a proclamation, and Gov. Polis had not yet done so this year when the flags were first raised.
The removal came after a resident inquired about the flags, prompting the town to realize it was out of compliance with the policy.
On Monday, June 23, the town issued a statement reaffirming “its deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals” and pointed to its own formal proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month.
Mayor Andrew Moore said in the statement that the “situation has generated significant emotion,” and acknowledged the symbolic importance of the Pride flag.
“I believe in an inclusive community where everyone, regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity — gay, straight, bi, trans, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and all others — is valued and respected as a human being,” he wrote.
In light of the incident, Erie Town Council plans to revisit the flag policy before the end of the year.
Rocky Mountain Equality COO Bruce Parker said it’s not uncommon for local governments to base flag policy on state and federal actions.
“I was pretty impressed with the clarity of the statement that came out from both the mayor and from the city government about their support,” he said on June 24.
Town officials and nonprofit leaders expected Polis to issue a proclamation recognizing Pride Month late Tuesday, which would allow Erie to raise its flags again. Boulder Reporting Lab has not yet confirmed whether that proclamation has been issued. The Biden administration has issued Pride Month proclamations in recent years.
“We’ve heard from LGBTQ+ folks who live in Erie about how important it is to them, even with the statement, for the symbolism to still hold true,” Parker said. “I also think that we’re probably looking at a case where at least the last four years, President Biden probably declared Pride Month, and this was irrelevant.”
Correction, June 25, 2025 9:28 am: An earlier version of this story stated that Gov. Jared Polis issued a proclamation recognizing Pride Month on Tuesday. Local leaders expected him to do so, but Boulder Reporting Lab has not received confirmation that the proclamation has been issued.
