MAY 22, 2026 — The Museum of Boulder has chosen a winning design in its contest to establish a new unofficial city flag for Boulder, Colorado, according to the Daily Camera.
The selection, titled “Flatiron Sunrise Flourish,” was created by Michael Stuart Trimmer, a graphic artist from Lincolnshire, United Kingdom.
According to the Boulder Reporting Lab, the design was unveiled during a public ceremony at the museum following a months-long competition that drew nearly 200 submissions.
The flag features an asymmetrical composition where all design elements emerge diagonally from the bottom left corner. It utilizes three primary colours: blue representing the sky, yellow symbolizing the area’s sunshine, and red forming the silhouette of the Flatirons, the iconic rock formations overlooking the city.
Trimmer noted that the diagonal lines are intended to create a sense of energetic emergence, drawing a structural comparison to the national flag of Seychelles.
Before reaching its final form, the design underwent modifications by a review panel in consultation with flag scholars from the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA).
The original submission contained four colours and a white star in the upper left section. Organizers removed the green portion and the star to streamline the visual symbolism, with reviewers noting the star closely resembled imagery associated with the state of Texas.
The contest panel consisted of several local design professionals, community members, and municipal officials, including Deputy City Manager Chris Meschuk and representatives from NAVA.
The evaluation process involved a blind review that narrowed the initial 190 entries down to a longlist of 50, and eventually to 10 finalists. The finalists were presented to NAVA’s monthly design forum for international feedback before the winner was determined.
The initiative was originally proposed by the museum’s executive director, Christopher Taylor, who observed that while local residents frequently fly national, state, and university flags, the city lacked a widely recognized local symbol.
The new design is intended to succeed a previous unofficial flag from the 1980s, which featured green and white bands, the city’s name, and a depiction of the Flatirons.
All submitted designs are currently on display at the museum, and the institution awarded Trimmer a $500 prize for his selection.
Image: Museum of Boulder
