Red Cross activity began in Larimer County, Colorado, when explosive growth of the Red Cross was taking place as Americans rallied to support World War I efforts. Over a thousand Red Cross chapters were chartered that year. March 20 -- A charter was issued to a Larimer County Chapter with headquarters in Fort Collins. This chapter was responsible for all of Larimer County except the city of Loveland.

The next major step for the chapter occurred this year when a merger with the North Park Chapter and a name change took effect. The North Park Chapter covering Jackson County, Colorado requested a merger. Since it appeared unfair to retain the name Larimer County while also serving Jackson County, the Board of Directors asked for the name Centennial Chapter to be assigned. The name pays tribute to the fact that Colorado is the Centennial State -- having been granted statehood on the 100th anniversary of the United States, and because it is the area about which author James Michener wrote in his novel Centennial.