MAY 11, 2026 — The Museum of Boulder has narrowed a field of nearly 190 submissions down to 10 finalist designs in its search for a new unofficial flag for the city of Boulder, Colorado, says Boulder Reporting Lab.
This community-led initiative seeks to establish a modern visual identity for the city, which currently lacks an official civic flag.
A review panel of local members and designers selected the finalists through a blind evaluation process, says the Museum, focusing on entries that could serve as a cohesive symbol for the city’s international and local image.
The designs underwent a refinement phase with the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) to ensure they adhere to professional standards. Ted Kaye, secretary of NAVA, guided the committee on principles such as simplicity, the absence of text, and the use of limited colours.
“People put more on the flag design than they need to,” Kaye told Colorado Public Radio. “It presents the city to the outside world… but it also is communicating to the people of Boulder, saying, ‘This is who we are.’”
Finalist entries feature diverse local motifs, including the Flatirons, the Boulder Star, and references to the area’s gold mining and agricultural history. While mountains appeared in the majority of submissions, other designers utilized bold geometric shapes to represent Pearl Street’s red bricks or the city’s environmental philosophy.
Emily Zinn, the museum’s director of education, observed that while some sought to embed deep historical narratives, vexillologists encouraged prioritizing a simple, recognizable symbol that reflects Boulder’s unconventional reputation.
The winning design will be announced on May 11, with merchandise launching on Memorial Day.
Because the project is organized by the museum rather than the municipal government, the result will remain unofficial. However, all submissions will be displayed at the Museum of Boulder to celebrate the community’s engagement with its visual identity.
Images: Museum of Boulder
