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What to know about 'No Kings' protests scheduled across Colorado Saturday

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What to know about 'No Kings' protests scheduled across Colorado Saturday


DENVER — Thousands are expected to take to the streets across Colorado on Saturday as part of a national day of action against the Trump administration.

Organizers say the “No Kings” events aim to “reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like.”

The protests are scheduled to go on at the same time as the U.S. Army’s parade in Washington, D.C., which marks the branch’s 250th anniversary. Saturday also marks President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day.

Denver7 has learned of scheduled “No Kings” protests in several Colorado cities, including Denver, Fort Collins, Castle Rock and Parker.

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Parker

Organizer: Parker ‘No Kings’ protest will continue despite reschedule request

Denver’s protest is scheduled to take place in front of the State Capitol. Jennifer Bradley, an organizer with Colorado 50501, told Denver7 that while marching is expected, there will be other resources at Saturday’s protest.

“What we’re going to have is an activist fair for the ‘No Kings’ event,” Bradley said. “Instead of having a standard march and rally, what we’re actually doing is bringing the community and the activist community together so people can find their fit, get involved, find what speaks to them, and get into the movement. We’re going to have tablers, live music, protest classes, a community mural that’s going to be donated to the Friday first walk, all sorts of interactive exhibits at each of the tables for people to participate in, and it’s really about bringing the community together and getting people empowered.”

Steffan Becker, another organizer with Colorado 50501, said they decided to integrate resources so participants have something to do after the protest.

“People don’t know where to put their energy after the protest, so the point of this festival — or this fair — is to get everybody the opportunity to plug in with different organizations so that they can find out how to use their energy, find out what they’re passionate about, and then not just show up at the protest, but be able to show up consistently, day in and day out, throughout different causes across the political spectrum,” Becker said.

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Denver’s protest at the Colorado Capitol did receive a permit, which listed a potential attendance of 8,000 people. Organizers expect a much larger crowd size.

“We’re expecting about 10,000 to 12,000 people at this point in time, and probably even more than that,” Bradley said.

In Arvada, Arvadans for Progressive Actions said it is expecting at least 500 people. Jim C. with the organization told Denver7 the group decided to still hold its own demonstration to let audiences everywhere know how Arvadans feel.

“This is not just in blue Denver and the blue big cities,” Jim said. “This is in places that are more purple, and Arvada is an average American suburb with average American people.”

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Jim C. with Arvadans for Progressive Action

“We’re concerned,” Jim added. “We want everybody to know we’re concerned.”

On Friday, the Denver Police Department posted a “know you go” resource sheet on X.

In its post, the department said community members have the right to peacefully protest, and its officers are present at every major protest. Denver PD also reiterated that it does not cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in federal immigration enforcement.

Earlier this week, Denver7 spoke with Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, asking him about future protests and how his department and officers planned to respond.

“It’s often best to over-prepare,” Thomas said. “So, I’m confident that we will have a number of officers, the appropriate number of officers, to handle the size of the protest and whatever activities they choose to engage in.”

  • Watch the full interview in the video player below

Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas discusses 18 arrests during ICE Out! protest | Full intverview

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Denver7 also asked protest organizers about safety at their respective demonstrations.

“We don’t expect any violence or trouble at our event,” Jim C. said.

“We are very adamant in reaffirming our nonviolent stance,” said Bradley. “We do have safety marshals who are well-trained, well-experienced. They will be monitoring the event, walking around.”

With high temperatures expected on Saturday, Bradey said they will have medics on-site should someone need help.

“We’re going to make sure every table knows the symptoms of heat stroke,” she said. “We’re bringing plenty of water to keep everybody nice and hydrated. Then, of course, we will have a medic tent located on the edge of the grounds over there for any issues that arise. But we do have a registered nurse. We have people that are trained in first aid.”

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Denver7 reached out to Colorado’s Republican delegation for comment on Saturday’s planned protests across the country. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert sent the following statement.

With the border as secure as it’s ever been, a booming economy, and woke policies being thrown in the trash every day, I can see why the organized far-left wants to throw a staged temper tantrum this weekend. 

While the rest of America joyously celebrates President Trump’s birthday, we can only hope that progressive protestors use their First Amendment rights peacefully without assaulting their fellow citizens or burning down any buildings.

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Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Veronica Acosta

Denver7’s Veronica Acosta covers stories that have an impact in all of Colorado’s communities, but specializes in reporting on immigration and wildfire management in our state. If you’d like to get in touch with Veronica, fill out the form below to send her an email.





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Denver, CO

Students push for statewide

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Students push for statewide


Students from across the Denver metro are heading to the state Capitol to push for free after-school opportunities statewide.

The proposal would create a “My Colorado Card” program, giving students in sixth through 12th grades access to cultural, arts, recreational and extracurricular activities throughout the state.

For students like Itzael Garcia, Denver’s existing “My Denver Card” made a life-changing difference. He said having access to his local recreation center helped keep him safe.

Itzael Garcia explains how the My Denver Card program has helped him.

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“We had a couple stray bullets go through our living room window, we had people get shot in front of our house, different things like that,” Garcia said. “Over the summer, being able to go to the public pool, it provided a space for us to all come together. In a way, it acted as a protective factor.”

The My Denver Card provides youth ages 5 to 18 with free access to the zoo, museums and recreation centers. For some, like Garcia, it has served as a safe haven.

That impact is why students involved with the nonprofit FaithBridge helped craft legislation to expand a similar pilot program to communities outside Denver.

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“We really just thought that inequity and really distinct opportunity deserts for students was really important for us to correct,” said Mai Travi a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School. Another student echoed that sentiment.

“We have a lot of students in the program that come from Aurora Public Schools, and they don’t have access to the same cultural facilities that we have living here; opportunities that really define our childhood experiences,” said Jack Baker, also a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School.

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Vernon Jones (right) speaks with students in My Denver Card program.

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Vernon Jones, director of the nonprofit FaithBridge, said organizers are still working out logistics but hope to partner with counties across Colorado.

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“This is a strategy to work for all of Colorado,” he said.

Denver school board member Marlene De La Rosa said the My Denver Card program has been impactful since its launch in 2013.

“For students that are on free and reduced lunch, the ‘My Denver Card’ can help scholarship some of their fees to participate in the youth sports at the recreation centers,” De La Rosa said.

Last year, 45,000 Denver youth had a card, accounting for 450,000 visits to recreation centers, outdoor pools and cultural facilities, she said.

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“I think it is very beneficial,” De La Rosa said.

The Denver program is funded by city tax dollars approved by voters in 2012. The proposed statewide pilot would instead rely on donations and grants.

The bill has cleared its first committee but still needs approval from the full House and Senate.

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Denver, CO

Tempers flare during another tightly contested matchup between Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder

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Tempers flare during another tightly contested matchup between Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder


OKLAHOMA CITY – The temperature of one of the NBA’s most heated rivalries got turned up a couple of notches Friday at Paycom Center.  Things reached a boiling point with eight minutes left in regulation after Jared McCain gave the hosts a two-point lead. Thunder guard Lu Dort obstructed Nikola Jokic’s route down the court […]



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University of Denver to close Ricks Center for Gifted Children next year

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University of Denver to close Ricks Center for Gifted Children next year


The University of Denver will close the Ricks Center for Gifted Children next year as enrollment has fallen in recent years, the college announced this week.

The Ricks Center, which serves gifted children as young as 3 years old, will operate for the 2026-27 academic year before closing, according to a letter DU sent parents on Wednesday.

“The University of Denver has made the difficult decision to close the Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the conclusion of the 2026–2027 academic year,” spokesman Jon Stone said in a statement. “This decision reflects long-term operational and financial considerations and is not a reflection of the school’s quality, leadership, or community.”

The center, which is located on DU’s campus, was started in 1984 as the University Center for Gifted Young Children. The program offers classes to students in preschool through eighth grade, according to the website.

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The program, along with other public K-12 schools in the state, has experienced declining enrollment in recent years. The center enrolled 142 students for the 2025-26 academic year, which is down from 200 pupils four years ago.



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