Flag StatusCurrent Flag Status: Half Staff

Who Orders Flag to Half-Staff?

The President can issue flags to flown at half-staff upon the death of a important person as a mark of respect to their memory.  Governors are authorized to order US and State flags flown at half-staff. As a mark of respect for former or current state officials who have died, or for a member of the armed forces who has died in active duty.

The Flag Code has established that the flag of the United States is to be flown at half-staff on rare occasions, in the following circumstances:

• For thirty days (or a month) after the death of a current or former president, or president-elect.
• For ten days after the death of a current or former vice president, current or retired chief justice, or current Speaker of the House of Representatives.
• From the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a secretary of an executive or military department, a former vice president or a former Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, or the governor of a state, territory, or possession.
• On the day of death and the day after for a Member of Congress.

What are standard dates for flying the flag at half-staff?

• Peace Officer Memorial Day (Unless that day is also Armed Forces Day, like it is this year)
• Memorial Day until Noon
• Patriot Day – 9/11
• National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
• Pearl Harbor Day

Recent Half-Staff Notifications:

Joe Cordova – Central Conejos County Firefighter: Friday, May 6, 2022 (Colorado Only)

Madeleine Korbel Albright – Wednesday, March 23, 2022 – Sunday, March 27, 2022 (Nationally)

Harry Reid – Saturday, January 8, 2021 (Nationally)

Pearl Harbor Day – Tuesday, December 7, 2021 (Nationally)

Robert Joseph Dole – Former Senator: Monday, December 6, 2021 – Thursday, December 11, 2021 (Nationally)

Larry Wyant – Joes Fire Fighter: Friday, November 5, 2021 (Colorado Only)

Darcy Stallings – Yuma Fire Fighter: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (Colorado Only)

Collin Powell – United States General: Monday, October 18, 2021 – Friday, October 22, 2021 (Nationally)

Natalie Meyer – Former Secretary of State: Monday, October 18, 2021 (Colorado Only)

Peace Officers’ Memorial Service: Saturday, October 16, 2021 (Nationally)

Jeff Billingsley – Denver Fire Department Technician: Thursday, October 30, 2021 (Colorado Only)

National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day: Sunday, October 3, 2021 (Nationally)

Anthony Palato – South Metro Firefighter & Paramedic: Tuesday, September 21, 2021 (Colorado Only)

Patriot Day National Day of Service & Remembrance: Saturday, September 11, 2021 (Nationally)

Richard Lamm – Former Colorado Governor: Monday, August 30, 2021 – Tuesday, August 31, 2021 (Colorado Only)

Attack in Kabul, Afghanistan: Thursday, August 26, 2021 – Monday, August 30, 2021 (Nationally)