In Glenwood Springs on Saturday, an estimated 2,000 protesters made their way to Sayre Park to carry signs, listen to speakers and make known their dissatisfaction with the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. It was one of the many volunteer-organized protests combining the organizing power of a few grassroots movements that have been gaining momentum since Trump’s inauguration. “Hands Off!” was the theme behind about 1,200 such gatherings across the state and the nation on Saturday.
In Sayre Park, one protester wore a jean jacket with these words emblazoned on the back of it: “Hands off what? You name it!” It sums up a sentiment many citizens turning out for protests seem to share.
Across the Divide in Denver about 8,000 people rallied and marched at the Colorado Capitol. Several speakers including union workers and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, among others, addressed the crowd before protesters embarked on a 2-mile march through downtown Denver.
In Glenwood Springs, speakers included ousted library trustee Jocelyn Durrance warning of County Commissioners foisting a Project 2025 agenda on local constituents, and Colorado Teacher of the Year, Autumn Rivera, of Glenwood Springs Middle School reminding the crowd that “education is better when we celebrate diversity.” The local rally included the theme “Activism is our Superpower” with a chance to pose against a photoboard as a patriotic superhero.
In Denver, marchers carried a wide variety of homemade signs highlighting Medicaid, Social Security, fair elections, LGBTQ+ rights, public lands, veterans services, and other public services seen to be at risk under President Donald Trump.
Well over 5 million Americans are said to have attended similar Hands Off events in small towns and large cities in all 50 states on Saturday.
The protest sounds you heard were recorded by Marilyn Gleason at the march in Denver.
