Denver DA Won't Prosecute Climate Change Protesters

DENVER, CO — Denver District Attorney Beth McCann will dismiss all of the cases against 33 people who were protesting against the state's climate change policies during Gov. Jared Polis’ State of the State Address Jan. 9. The group unfurled a banner inside the state Capitol during the address.

The protesters were arrested after being accused of trespassing, disrupting a lawful assembly and obstruction of a peace officer.

McCann met with the Colorado State Patrol and with the Denver Police Department before making the decision, her office said.

“I support and appreciate peoples’ First Amendment right to protest and express their opinions; however, they cannot disrupt official proceedings inside the state capitol,” McCann said in a statement. “Since most of these climate change activists spent a night in jail, I’ve concluded that prosecuting them further for criminal conduct is not warranted given all of the circumstances."

"I strongly urge these protesters to work with their elected officials to affect the change they seek and warn them that if they engage in future actions that disrupt official state business, criminal charges will be considered.”

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