Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs offers Proper Disposal of Flags

Properly dispose of old, faded or tattered flags

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The Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs will accept and destroy any old, faded or tattered flags or flags that aren’t made in the United States for anyone who brings their flag to the office located at 4400 Castleton Ct. in Castle Rock.

Scouts’ and veterans’ organizations will hold periodic ceremonies to retire flags in an appropriate manner.

Several states, not including Colorado, have passed laws requiring that flags sold be made in the United States. Minnesota has a law that imposes a $1,000 fine and/or 90 day jail sentence for violations. Arizona requires that all classrooms for junior high students and above have an American-made flag hanging in the classroom.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that $5.3 million worth of U.S. flags were imported from other countries in 2006, mostly from China. That figure has been steady over the past few years. The big exception was in 2001 when $51.7 million in U.S. flags were brought into the country following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Anyone interested in learning more about flag etiquette can contact the Office of Veterans Affairs at 303.688.4825 ext. 5359 or any local veterans’ organization such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, etc.