Public spaces in multiple cities and towns across Southern Colorado were filled with protesters throughout Saturday, Oct. 18 as part of the “No Kings” demonstrations taking place nationwide.
The protests were planned at different times and locations all over the region with the goal of conducting peaceful actions and “to stand together in the belief that America belongs to its people, not kings,” according to national event organizers.
Specifically, demonstrators protested what organizers called “President Trump’s authoritarian actions and power grabs.” Republican leaders, in turn, described the demonstrations as "Hate America" rallies.
KRCC and its newsroom partners brought you the scenes from throughout the region, including rural and smaller towns.
8:26 p.m.: Scenes from 'No Kings' in Saguache, Colorado
About 50 people participated in the "No Kings" demonstrations along Highway 285 in the town of Saguache in southern Colorado's San Luis Valley. The town has a population of less than 1,000. Here are the scenes from Saturday, Oct. 18.
— Crestone Eagle's Managing Editor Matthew Lit reporting from Saguache
7:17 p.m.: In Alamosa, protest turns into joyful celebration; in Cortez, liberals combat conservative stronghold stereotype
At least 500 people turned up for the “No Kings” rally in downtown Alamosa on Saturday midday. The city of just under 10,000 is known for its proximity to the Sand Dunes National Park in the San Luis Valley.
Lines of protesters stretched down State Avenue between Main and 6th streets, many donning inflatable costumes and carrying U.S. flags as well as their handmade signs, according to the Alamosa Citizen. The demonstration included a lot of music, dancing and singing.
A handful of counter-protesters also appeared, along with a man who drove down Main Street with a large sign on his truck saying “In Memory of Charlie Kirk,” but the demonstration remained peaceful.
Multiple people told KRZA they were protesting the Trump administration and to support freedom. Some shared specific worries, including ICE tactics, funding of the genocide in Gaza and vulnerable communities.
In Cortez where the number of registered Republicans vastly outnumber Democrats, at least 840 people participated in the rally. Locals said it was the largest gathering ever in the small city also of just under 10,000.
Multiple people told Daily Yonder that the turnout of those opposing the Trump administration was a big deal in the city.
“I think Cortez often gets a reputation or a stereotype of being an ignorant red town that doesn't have a lot of good people and I think it's important to come out and see that there are a lot of people out here. A lot of informed and nice people,” said Karelia Ver Eecke, a Cortez farmer.
Cathy Lilly of Dolores also called the turnout encouraging, saying the city “gives an impression of being a conservative place but I think there's a lot of people here who care and are concerned.
Rocky Moss, a military veteran who grew up in Cortez, said it was amazing to see other people present for the rally who felt the same way.
“I’m out here because we are on the road to ruin,” Moss said. “We are marching towards tyranny if we’re not already there.”
— KRZA’s Gerald Rodriguez and Alamosa Citizen’s MaryAnne Talbott reported from Alamosa and Daily Yonder’s Ilana Newman reported from Cortez
5 p.m.: Salida sees over 1,000 come out for “No Kings” protest — and a smaller gathering of counter-protesters
Salida’s “No Kings” rally was held in Riverside Park and began mid-morning with a few short speeches from locals before protesters marched down F Street through downtown.
Organizers estimated between 1,400 and 1,500 participants.
While police escorted the marchers, there were no police vehicles present to close off streets as the march passed through. Peacekeepers and volunteers, including Ark Valley Voice’s own investigative reporter Stephen Hall were recruited to stop traffic at cross streets instead.
Buena Vista local Jessie Gunter said she was concerned about the consolidation of power in the executive branch, particularly President Trump.
“I think, this time around, we're seeing fewer people willing to stand up for their principles on either side of the aisle, and I'm worried that Donald Trump is doing irreparable harm to democracy, and trying to rig the system so, in the future, it's not possible for us to have participatory government,” Gunter said.
The event brought out a few brief incidents with agitators.
At one point, a motorist revved their engine and drove by quickly. But there was nothing out of the ordinary for these types of gatherings.
There was a counter-protest event held in Centennial Park. This park is located across town and is the location of the recurring Sunday demonstrations for democracy. Reports suggest about 15 to 20 people were present at this event after No Kings concluded.
— Ark Valley Voice’s Buena Vista reporter and assistant editor Carly Winchell reporting from Salida
4:04 p.m. Worries about potential ICE detention center loom over Walsenburg protesters
About 170 people held signs, chanted and waved as they stood on either side of one of the main drags in Walsenburg about 45 minutes south of Pueblo.
They sang along with a local band playing songs like "Get Together" by The Youngbloods and “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie. Many of the cars, pickup trucks and big tractor trailer rigs passing by honked and showed their support. It wasn’t all local traffic, since it’s part of the busy U.S Highway 160, which runs through the former coal mining city of a few thousand people.
Bruce Johnson held a large American flag. He came to the Walsenburg “No Kings” protest from the small mountain community of Cuchara because he said, “I'm afraid for our country. It is going in the wrong direction very quickly, and it scares me.”
As a former teacher he said he’s worried for his children, grandchildren and future generations, “The meanness and the hatred and the fear that is being stirred up is not right,” he said. “People need to stand up. I mean this apathy is just a killer and so stand up, speak, don't be afraid to speak.”
Retiree Daniel Connell held a hand-lettered mint green sign. He said he moved to Walsenburg from Ludlow about a year and half ago and he’s been protesting weekly with other residents regarding the proposal to use the former Huerfano County Correctional Center in Walsenburg as a potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center.
“They’re putting a concentration camp in my town,” he said. “My mother was born in Sudetenland (part of the former Czechoslovakia) in 1939, the first country taken over by Hitler. I know what a Nazi is and what they're doing here is Nazi,” he said. “I don't want my granddaughter being around people whose fathers work at a concentration camp.”
His property value has decreased since Trump took office, he said, “The prison has already bankrupted our town once. We don't want it here again.”
Many of the protestors spoke wanting a better future for their children and grandchildren.
“I don't want to go back anywhere. I want to go forward,” Deb Greer of rural Huerfano County said. “We Americans have the voice. One voice and one vote still makes a difference in this country.”
— KRCC's Shanna Lewis reporting from Walsenburg
3:46 p.m.: More than 10,000 believed to show up at Colorado Springs park for ‘No Kings’ protest
Colorado Springs’ “No Kings” protest began mid-day at America the Beautiful park where views of Pikes Peak served as a backdrop for what some organizers estimated to be 10,000 to 15,000 people.
Thousands continued to pour in and out of the park throughout the afternoon, causing pedestrian traffic jams on the bridge connecting the Olympic Museum with the park, over train tracks.
Jennifer Martinez of Colorado Springs said immigrant and LGBTQ rights were her top concerns. She emphasized the desire for a peaceful gathering and not to fight with others.
“We’re not wanting to fight other Americans, we just want to get together and to be America again, we want our old America back,” Martinez said.
Fellow Colorado Springs resident Clowie Burkhalter, 18, said she was also concerned about immigration issues.
“They’re targeting people that haven't done anything, all these unlawful arrests, no due process, things like that,” Burkhalter said.
She said though she felt she wasn’t able to work toward change because of her age, she said protesting made her feel like she could actually do something.
She also had a message for others: “This battle isn't left or right, it's up and down. I mean it's not against Democrats or Republicans, it's about the lowest people and the one percent.”
— CPR’s Stephanie Rivera reporting from Colorado Springs
2:39: Cañon City responds with love to counter-protesters; La Junta shows up for neighbors
A couple hundred people lined up along Highway 50 in Cañon City to participate in the “No Kings” protest on Saturday.
Roxanne Bradshaw was among the participants. She said she believed President Trump has “crossed over the line” and found what she believed to be the loss of the rule of law in the country to be frightening.
“I feel strongly for every person to have a vote and have a say in this government and I think we’ve lost our ability to be heard,” Bradshaw said.
Mirna Blum, 68, said she was participating to show Trump that “we mean business.”
“He’s not a president for the people and we want a president for the people,” the unaffiliated voter said.
The event brought out a handful of counter-protesters in vehicles with Trump flags who would drive back and forth along the road. Blum said she would respond by yelling out, “I love you!”
Meanwhile in La Junta, dozens gathered at the city park that featured a mini Statue of Liberty. They were there with signs and costumes.
Cathy Cross was there to voice her disapproval of the administration. She said the small city’s large Hispanic population and rural farming community is what brought her out to protest.
“I’m concerned about migrant workers and people here legally who could be taken away by men in masks,” Cross said.
A person in a dinosaur costume at a "No Kings" protest in La Junta on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. 
Tomas Perez was among the protesters at the "No Kings" demonstration in La Junta on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Tomas Perez, who grew up in the area, said he wanted to make sure that leaders were following the constitution.
“We have to stand up and make sure we the citizens of this wonderful country make sure that we get back to following the constitution that this great nation was based upon,” Perez said.
— CPR’s Stephanie Rivera and KRCC's Andrea Chalfin reporting from La Junta and Mike Procell reporting from Cañon City
12:39 p.m.: Pueblo sees thousands surround courthouse downtown
An estimated 2,000 people gathered outside Pueblo County Government Lawn mid-morning on Saturday for the “No Kings” protest.
Among them was 23-year-old Sydney Haney who said she was protesting what she saw as various human rights violations, ICE kidnapping members of her community and rollbacks to things like reproductive rights, health care and the constitution.
“What the community is doing here today is coming together and saying we won’t take this, we want to be listened to and the people we elect should be listening to the people who vote them in,” Haney said.
Risa Luzardo of Pueblo was also in attendance. She said she wanted to stand in solidarity with others and practice democracy.
“I’m here to be inspired by others and to hopefully inspire others to get out and use your voice and be a body in the movement in the struggle,” Luzardo said.
Only a handful of counter-protesters were on site but the event remained peaceful.
— CPR’s Stephanie Rivera and Pueblo Star Journal’s Molly Cotner reporting from Pueblo
11:22 a.m.: Larkspur, known for hosting annual Ren Faire, gets political
About 30 miles north of Colorado Springs along Interstate 25 sits the small town of Larkspur, population about 200.
It’s known for hosting the Colorado Renaissance Festival every summer but on Saturday more than 250 people gathered to take part in a “No Kings” protest at Larkspur Community Park.
Retiree Joe B., who requested anonymity due to his political affiliation, was among the attendees. He described himself as a lifelong Republican until 2016 when he started voting Democrat. He said for a town this small the turnout was great.
“People are waking up to the fact that this country is in trouble and it's time to get out and do something about it,” he said.
Tom Rogers, who has lived in Larkspur for 32 years, said he wanted to be “part of the body counts so people can see it’s ok to participate.”
“You don’t have to shelter in place just because you’re a liberal or Democrat.”
No counter-protesters were seen in the area.
— CPR's Stephanie Rivera and KRCC's Kendra Carr reporting from Larkspur
10:30 a.m. Westcliffe, town of less than 500, holds “No Kings” protest Saturday morning
Amid a sunny but crisp morning in Westcliffe, about 200 people were among the first in Colorado to participate in “NO Kings” protests on Saturday.
Protesters gathered at The Bluff park on the west end of Main Street in the small town nestled between the Wet Mountain Valley and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Its population is estimated at about 435 people, according to the last Census.
Lisa Kelley came out with her dog and friend to speak out against the administration.
She said ICE’s immigration enforcement and “pulling people off that are never seen again” were among the reasons she is protesting.
“Everyday I wake up and it's just more appalling news,” Kelley said. “I feel like I'm in the twilight zone.”
— CPR's Stephanie Rivera and KRCC's Briana Heaney reporting from Westcliffe
