DENVER (KDVR) — Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Colorado on Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” rally, to show their viewpoints on the current state of American politics and the Trump administration.
Organizers said the rallies were planned to be held in 74 locations throughout the state and estimated that at least 20,000 protesters marched Saturday.
In Denver, multiple roads were shut down around the Colorado Capitol and the downtown Denver area as they marched. The demonstration was planned to end around 4 p.m.
“This is really about working people coming together to speak out against the rise of authoritarianism,” said Nate Paer, a mental healthcare worker and member of SEIU Local 105.
The rally in Denver included union service workers and state employees protesting a range of federal actions, including healthcare subsidy cuts and mass layoffs of federal workers.
“I think people are fed up,” Paer said. “A lot of our communities, especially migrant communities, are afraid to even exist. So, I think we’re also out here standing up to protect one another today.”
Tiffany Weber, one of the organizers of the “No Kings” rally and a part of the organization Solidarity Warriors, said there were so many people at the Denver rally.
“The march was 1.7 miles long and the front got back before the back left,” said Weber.
The protests were part of a larger national movement that organizers said is aimed at “resisting” what they call “an abuse of power by the president.”
In the city of Broomfield, demonstrators lined Sheridan Boulevard and 120th Ave., waving signs at passing traffic.
In the city of Fort Collins, a crowd gathered at Civic Center Park for a rally Saturday morning. Also in the city of Arvada, protesters marched through Olde Town, with some dressed in costumes inspired by demonstrations in Portland, Oregon.
“We’re not looking to harm people or hurt people — just make our voices heard,” said Ken Truhan, a protester in Arvada dressed in an inflatable dinosaur costume. “The costumes are a fun, lighthearted, non-threatening way to do that.”
“So many people are losing funding, jobs, science, research, education,” added Heather Truhan, also sporting an inflatable dinosaur costume. “We’re going to feel the pain of what’s happening for a long, long time. So this is a way for us to let loose and try to stand up.”
Brighton resident Gary Livingston attended the Denver rally, who was also dressed in a Spider-Man costume.
“It sends a message that we can have fun with it. It’s a peaceful protest. We don’t believe in violence and it’s just fun,” said Livingston.
Denver police issued traffic advisories throughout the day due to road closures tied to the rallies. Police have since reopened those roads to traffic.
In a social media post, Denver police called the protest “peaceful.” However, the department did note that officers arrested a person for “possession of a Weapon (knife).”
Anna Coon
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