You won’t find the word “sesquisemiquincentennial” in the dictionary, but you’re likely to hear a lot of Coloradans trying to work the nine-syllable tongue twister into everyday speech this year.

The fabricated noun refers to 2026 being simultaneously recognized as the 250^th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America in 1776 and the 150^th anniversary of Colorado’s entry into the Union a century later.

Colorado is the only territory, colony or sovereign nation to become a state 100 years after the nation was born with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, thus earning the nickname “The Centennial State.”

The special status led lawmakers in 2022 to create the America 250 — Colorado 150 Commission to plan events and projects for this year, with History Colorado overseeing implementation.

The 21-seat commission coined the long word, “sesquisemiquincentennial” by combining two other words.

“Semiquincentennial” is a nod to the nation’s 250^th anniversary and “sesquicentennial” describes Colorado achieving statehood in 1876.

“As the only state commemorating dual anniversaries this year, we felt Coloradans deserved a bespoke term that’s as unique and fun as our state,” said Jason Hanson, a 250-150 commissioner.

“We thought it would set us apart from the rest of the nation’s celebrations while connecting us to them.”

Commissioners realize it’s a big word, Hanson said.

“But so are our landscapes — our fourteeners, our horizons over the plains, our mesas and canyons — and Coloradans aren’t intimidated by a challenge.”

The best way to pronounce the unwieldy description is to break it down, Hanson said.

Start with sesqui — Latin for one and one-half times. Phonetically, it sounds like “sess-kwee.”

Then add semi, pronounced sem-ee, a prefix meaning “half” in Latin.

Quin, which references the number five, is pronounced “kwin” and is capped off with the familiar word “centennial.”

When strung together, sesquisemiquincentennial sounds like “sess-kwee-sem-ee-kwin-sen-ten-ee-uhl.”

Easy for some to say.

In his job as chief creative officer and director of interpretation and research at History Colorado, Hanson teaches schoolchildren and adults how to lighten the heavy lift of sesquisemiquincentennial.

Not everyone gets it perfect the first time, he said, which usually produces laughter.

But, “with a little bit of practice, it just rolls off the tongue and people have fun saying it and become a little proud of commanding it so well,” Hanson said.

A few random people on the streets of Colorado Springs said they had seen the word. Most hadn’t heard it uttered aloud but were good sports in giving it a go.

One family took time to practice beforehand and afterward from a sign held up in front of them.

Several people said they liked the expression’s originality and distinctiveness.

A couple of people said they assumed it had something to do with the nation’s anniversary, but not many knew it also referenced Colorado’s birthday.

“A Sasquatch who lives in Centennial?” one man guessed as its meaning.

Legislators funded up to $500,000 toward the 250-150 celebration that includes historical activities, publication of historical documents, public ceremonies, educational activities for youth and other commemorative events supported by marketing and tourism campaigns.

Some projects got underway last year, others are rolling out this year, with Aug. 1 as a statewide commemoration. The July Fourth weekend is the nation’s large-scale observance.

Among 13 signature initiatives for Colorado are an American History exhibit, historic preservation projects, storytelling, drone shows, an online exhibit of Colorado history, a “digital Colorado passport” initiative for attractions, Fourteener climbs and other opportunities.

Also, the commission is required to “identify, celebrate and build knowledge around the history of Black communities, Indigenous communities, communities of color, women and people with disabilities,” according to the bill enacted in 2022 and revised in 2023.

The 250-150 occasion deserves its own word, Hanson said, to mark such a milestone that presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

He encourages Coloradans to think of the made-up word as injecting some of the levity of “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” a nonsensical exclamation from the 1964 Disney movie “Mary Poppins” woven into a song and intended to express approval or something wonderfully fantastic.

“I hope people do embrace sesquisemiquincentennial; try to say it to your friends, family, neighbors. It’ll bring a smile to your face,” Hanson said. “It’s a fun way to participate and remind ourselves of how unique Colorado is and how lucky we are to live here.”