More than a thousand protesters gathered at the Colorado State Capitol on Sunday, January 25, before marching through downtown Denver to protest the Trump administration following another deadly shooting involving federal immigration agents. The demonstration was part of a growing wave of nationwide anger after two civilians were killed in separate incidents involving U.S. immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota within a span of two weeks.
From the steps of the Capitol, activist Darlene Rivera addressed the crowd, condemning what she described as a government that has abandoned the rule of law. She told protesters that communities across the country were being intimidated and harmed by policies rooted in discrimination, adding that dissenting voices were being treated as enemies rather than citizens with rights.
The Denver protest came just one day after Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. His death followed the killing of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents earlier in the month. Together, the two incidents have intensified public scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics and the federal government’s response to public protest.
Videos that surfaced online showed Pretti on the ground and restrained by agents when shots were fired. Witness footage indicated that Pretti had been lawfully carrying a handgun, which agents had already taken possession of before the shooting occurred. The encounter reportedly began with Pretti recording the agents using his phone. Despite this, senior officials in the Trump administration quickly labeled both Pretti and Good as “domestic terrorists,” claims that have been widely challenged and contradicted by video evidence and eyewitness accounts.
Rivera told the Denver crowd that the recordings left little room for doubt. She said both individuals were killed in public, in full view of bystanders, and while being filmed, arguing that the available footage clearly shows the use of unnecessary and deadly force. Her remarks were met with loud applause and chants from protesters calling for accountability and justice.
Several Colorado Democratic leaders joined the demonstration, signaling political support for the protesters’ concerns. Among them were State Senator Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is running for governor in 2026. Their presence reflected growing pressure on elected officials to respond to public outrage over federal immigration enforcement practices and the handling of protests.
The demonstration remained largely peaceful, with protesters carrying signs, chanting slogans, and marching through city streets under police observation. Many participants said they were motivated not only by the recent shootings but also by broader concerns about civil liberties, government transparency, and the treatment of protesters and immigrants.
Carol Wiemann, a protester from Boulder, stood near the Capitol waving an American flag at passing vehicles. Drivers frequently honked in support, creating moments of encouragement that protesters said reinforced their belief that public opinion is shifting. For many in attendance, the protest was as much about defending democratic values as it was about mourning lives lost.
As demonstrations continue to spread across the country, activists say they plan to keep organizing until independent investigations are conducted and those responsible are held accountable. They argue that without meaningful oversight and reform, similar incidents will continue to occur. Sunday’s gathering in Denver was one of many signals that public anger is not fading, and that calls for justice, transparency, and restraint by federal authorities are only growing louder.
