It’s a familiar sight: Since the conflict began on October 7, demonstrations have been held at the Capitol on a weekly basis — attracting Coloradans from all corners of the state in support of both sides. The Capitol has been Colorado's premier free speech location for other major movements in recent years, like the Elijah McClain and George Floyd protests in 2020.
Now, as pro-Palestine and pro-Israel efforts continue, state officials are taking extra measures to protect anyone who rallies outside of the Statehouse.
Dozens of metal posts encased in concrete are currently being installed around the Capitol. When construction is finished, the entire grounds will be surrounded by the bollards, blocking any vehicles from being able to drive onto the areas that commonly host press conferences, tours and protests.
Events such as Thursday's cease-fire rally were the inspiration for adding the posts, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The posts shield the Capitol's west lawn from the street, blocking any vehicles from being able to drive into the crowds of people that often gather on the grass
Hannah Metzger
Moltrer says the state patrol, legislature and Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration decided to add the posts after a Homeland Security vulnerability assessment was conducted following the summer of 2020.
Numerous protests had gone down that year at the Capitol in response to the Floyd killing in Minneapolis and McClain's death in Aurora — both at the hands of police. During one of the rallies, a woman drove through a group of protesters in the street near the Statehouse.
That summer saw dozens of incidents of vehicle ramming at protests across the country, including six reported rammings in Colorado. Usually, the incidents occur when protesters are blocking streets, but in other cases, drivers turn onto sidewalks and into parks to attack demonstrators.
Thanks to the incoming poles, the Capitol lawn will soon be free from that threat. But that didn't seem to matter to the protesters on Thursday.
“I hope that the posts do actually keep people safe if anything ever does happen, but the thing that doesn’t keep them safe are the gentlemen on top of the buildings over there and over there,” said Representative Said Sharbini, pointing at police snipers perched on buildings around the Capitol.
Bruno T., who organized Thursday’s demonstration with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, urged state officials to join the call for a cease-fire if they want to protect protesters.
With or without the new posts, Bruno is not afraid to protest.
“With any kind of resistance movement, there’s going to be risks, there’s going to be some elements of fear,” Bruno said. “But this is the only way that anything’s going to change.”
Colorado’s bollard plan was solidified in 2022 when legislators passed Senate Bill 22-239. The bill designated up to $23 million to go to the Department of Personnel and Administration for renovations to legislative spaces, including security upgrades at the Capitol.
In all, the posts cost just under $2.8 million, according to department spokesperson Doug Platt, who notes that the state patrol, governor's office and legislators were all involved in developing the plan.
Depending on the weather, the bollard installations are scheduled to be finished before the start of the 2024 legislative session in January.
