Handsoff Denver

Big event at the Colorado capitol

Author

mister mix
April 06, 2025

I knew this was going to be a big protest when I saw people standing on the RTD train on the way into the city — Denver has a very underutilized light rail system and I’ve never been on this particular train when it was more than ¼ full.

The capitol steps were packed so tight that it was hard to move. I was like 50 feet from commenter Scott H but I couldn’t get to him until the march began — no room to move. Scott heard that the crowd estimate was 5,000. It was certainly half again as large as the 50501 protest I attended

A few things of interest:

  • A lot of Cory Booker signs, quotes and so forth. His speech clearly made an impression.

  • I didn’t hear all the speakers, but it was clear that no elected statewide Democrat, or House or Senate member, spoke, unlike at some other HandsOff rallies.

    • This is consistent with the overall timidity and libertarian bent of a lot of the Democratic electeds in the state. Denver’s core congressional district (CO-1) is D+29 and has been represented by the same person, Diana DeGette, since 1997. It would be great to have a young firebrand leader in that position.

  • The steps were mainly older white folks, but when we marched (a march that was at least 10 city blocks long), it was a younger and more diverse crowd.

Here are some pics from Scott and me:

Scott took this one - note the finger placement.

This gives you a slight idea of the crowd size — looking down from the Capitol steps.

Looking toward the Capitol - Jeanette Vizguerra’s daughter spoke about her mother, named on the sign, who was taken to a detention facility without a warrant.

Scott got this one, too.

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