2000:

An emotional confrontation is expected in Colorado’s capital Saturday as American Indians take to the streets to protest a parade celebrating Columbus Day.

Denver police will be out in force to try to keep the downtown parade, sponsored by the local Italian-American community, peaceful. Indian leaders have warned that violent conflict could erupt if force is used.

2015:

The Denver City Council agreed unanimously Monday to proclaim Oct. 12 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and the vote was cheered by the audience in the packed gallery.

“Today is a very good day to live in Denver,” said Councilman Paul Lopez, who sponsored the proclamation.

In passing the proclamation, Denver joins other cities across the country in observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Columbus Day.

For a while there, it was a kind of tradition to get arrested protesting the Columbus Day parade here in Denver. Which made it my favorite holiday, obviously. I couldn’t be happier today, though. Mostly for all the great people I met during those protest, who worked so hard to make this happen.

But a little, I’ll admit, because I remember all the anti-Indian racists at the likes of the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post, not to mention on the streets, and man, they must be just holding onto their chairs, feeling like the whole world’s spinning out from under ‘em.

Which makes me happier still.

Congratulations everybody.