On a Wednesday afternoon, the Colorado State Capitol became a hub of activity as thousands of protesters gathered to voice their strong opposition to President Donald Trump and the actions of U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The day's events were sparked by a nationwide protest initiative called “50 States, 50 Protests. ” However, the atmosphere in Colorado was charged with additional urgency due to ICE raids that had taken place earlier that morning in Denver.

    The demonstrations began with a small group of activists around 11 a. m. , their numbers quickly multiplying as they marched along Lincoln Street. The crowd was a vibrant mix of colors, with Mexican flags waving alongside American, Venezuelan, Honduran, and Palestinian flags. The chants and signs were clear: the protesters were standing against Trump and his policies, particularly his stance on immigration.

    The most common chant was a direct message to Trump, while another, shouted in Spanish, emphasized the power of unity. The crowd was highly energetic, with some protesters burning incense and others distributing flyers with information on how to respond to federal immigration raids. A truck even stopped briefly so its occupants could join in the dancing and chanting.

    The heart of the protest was the Capitol building, where various groups split off to march around the streets, while others stayed to speak out against Trump. The crowd was so large that it had to split into smaller groups. Some stayed on the west steps of the Capitol, where speakers addressed the crowd in multiple languages. Other groups marched along nearby streets, and some even walked down Broadway, passing by the museums and municipal buildings.

    The protesters were not alone in their cause. Democratic state legislators, including Sen. Iman Jodeh, mingled among the crowd and even addressed the protesters. Many of the protesters held signs with powerful messages. One sign, in Spanish, read, “Immigrants are the heart of this country, ” while another depicted Elon Musk’s recent controversial salute.

    One young woman speaker, who did not identify herself, spoke about “Project 2025, ” a document created by conservative activists that some believe is a blueprint for Trump’s second administration. This mention drew boos from the crowd, showing their strong opposition to the project. This was the most intense part of the protest.

    Protesters also took to the streets, with some staying in the middle of Lincoln Street and others continuing to circle the Capitol. The size of the crowd drew attention from police, who closed streets as protesters marched around the building. The energy was palpable, with people from all walks of life joining in the protest. One participant, John Stackhouse, summed it up: “People are upset with how things are going — they need an outlet. ”

    The protest continued to grow, with more people joining in as the day went on. As the afternoon wore on, protesters returned to the Capitol steps to chant and pass the microphone around. Legislators and Capitol staffers watched from the windows or took photos from the House’s balcony, which overlooked the protest. The chants and shouts were audible inside the otherwise silent chamber.

    One of the protesters, Jessica Ganjon, 49, held a sign reading “Rage Against Fascism” — a gift from another protester. Ganjon said she wanted to be around people who shared her discontent with the Trump administration. She had attended protests against Trump during his first administration and expressed her hope that the protests would continue to grow.

Colorado's Capitol Sees Massive Protests Against Trump and ICE

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