CO State Order · Half-Staff
Flags at Half-Staff for Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson
July 1, 2026 – July 3, 2026
Governor Jared Polis announced that Colorado state flags will fly at half-staff on the dates of the memorial services for three U.S. Wildland Fire Service firefighters who died on June 28, 2026, while responding to the Snyder Mesa Fire near the Colorado-Utah border. Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson made the ultimate sacrifice protecting their communities during a burnover incident while engaged in initial attack operations. The governor expressed deep sadness at the loss of these dedicated firefighters who embodied courage and selflessness in service to their fellow citizens.
Flag protocol
Colorado state flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the dates of the memorial services for the three firefighters, as announced by Governor Polis.
Source: www.colorado.gov