- By Indivisible Denver
- July 3, 2025
- 0 Comments
Denver Protest at the Capitol
A Die-In Against the Big Ugly Budget Bill
On July 3, the Indivisible Denver Action (IDA) team, in partnership with the ACLU and Progress Now Colorado, staged an urgent Denver protest that came together in under 12 hours. The goal: draw attention to the devastating impact of the so-called Big Ugly Budget Bill.
A Visual Stand Against Harmful Policy
At sunrise, 40–45 community members gathered on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol. Two speakers took the microphone to detail how the bill would affect millions of Medicaid recipients, rural hospitals and other at risk groups. They shared both personal stories and real-life examples of what would be lost if the bill passed.
Then came the most powerful moment: attendees lay silently on the Capitol lawn, holding gravestone-shaped signs that listed the names of Colorado’s Republican Congresspeople. Lauren Boebert, Gabe Evans, Jeff Hurd, and Jeff Crank — as the ones who had “killed” them through their votes. For five minutes, they remained still, while a woman in white moved among them, placing flowers in their hands.
From the Capitol Steps to the Public Eye
The Die-In was both solemn and unignorable — designed to make passersby, lawmakers, and the media confront the human cost of the budget vote. Members of the press from CBS4 and The Denver Post documented the scene. Progress Now Colorado’s video of the protest reached over 450,000 views online.
Following the action, participants received information sheets and call scripts to share with friends, neighbors, and networks, urging them to contact their Representatives before the vote. Some attendees stayed behind to hold signs along Lincoln Street, extending the demonstration’s visibility.
This protest combined rapid mobilization, emotional storytelling, and a visually striking demonstration to keep the focus on policy impact. Reminding lawmakers that their decisions have real, human consequences.
