From Denver to Boulder: “Hands Off!” Protests Draw Thousands in Colorado — With Photos from the Ground

After weeks of grassroots organizing, the “Hands Off!” protests erupted across Colorado on April 5, 2025, with a message that was impossible to ignore. From Denver to Colorado Springs, Fort Collins to Longmont, Boulder to Salida, thousands turned out to reject the overreach of the Trump administration and its so-called newly minted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

In Denver, approximately 8,000 to 10,000 protesters filled the Capitol steps and spilled into surrounding streets, their chants echoing across Civic Center Park. Fort Collins rallied over 3,000 people at Civic Center Park, a multigenerational crowd holding signs like “Hands Off My Medicare” and “Save the USPS.” In Boulder, demonstrators stretched for two miles—lined up along sidewalks, curbs, and medians—with estimates suggesting several thousand turned out to show solidarity.

Longmont’s protest gathered more than 3,000 people at the intersection of 6th and Main, filling the heart of downtown. This wasn’t just a foot march—participants in cars circled the blocks with handmade signs in windows, honking in support. Based on our observations, roughly 90% of the honks were supportive, with just a few expressing opposition.

In Colorado Springs, estimates ranged from hundreds to thousands outside City Hall, as protesters carried signs condemning DOGE and defending public services. Even in more conservative Greeley, dozens stood outside the Weld County Courthouse—some attending their first protest ever.

These demonstrations were part of a growing national movement opposing federal policies that threaten Social Security, public sector jobs, immigrant rights, transgender protections, and consumer safeguards. Many protest signs also called for an end to U.S. complicity in global violence, including outspoken condemnation of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

While the numbers vary, reports range from one to two million people that joined “Hands Off!” protests across the United States, with solidarity actions held in at least five other countries. The more than 1,300 demonstrations were coordinated by a broad coalition that included Indivisible, MoveOn, 50501, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), alongside other labor unions, progressive advocacy groups, and pro-democracy watchdogs. The wave of protest began overseas in Europe before rolling across time zones—from East Coast cities in the morning to mountain towns and West Coast communities later in the day.

From Capitol steps to small-town intersections, young and old came together to say: Hands off.

Longmont, CO

Photos provided by Shavonne Blades, Kenneth Wajda 

Boulder, CO

Photos provided by Ann Nunn, Camino Nichole, Rob DeBarros (via public Social Media posts)

Video coverage from the BOCO Dems: https://www.facebook.com/BoCoDems

Denver, CO

Photos provided by Eddie Horn, Generic Art Dad, Marilyn Welsh, Sara Marcipan, Suz Wedaa, Tonya Bruch (via public Social Media posts)

Find great video coverage by Chris Godwin: https://www.facebook.com/chris.goodwin.319  and ProgressNow Colorado: https://www.facebook.com/ProgressNowColorado

Fort Collins, CO

Photos provided by Melinda Hassig, Orlando Archibeque (via public Social Media posts)

Colorado Springs, CO

Photos provided by Jenn Fuller (via public Social Media posts)

Pueblo, Salida, Durango, Grand Junction, CO

Photos provided via public Social Media posts