On Saturday, more than 854 people gathered on Main Street in Cortez for a No Kings Day protest, in what is believed to be the largest demonstration in the city’s history.
The rally featured community members holding signs to protest the Trump administration and defend the U.S. Constitution. The No Kings Day event was held nationwide, with nearly 7 million people participating.
In Cortez, participants – many in costume – lined both sides of Main Street from the Colorado Welcome Center to City Market. Several wore inflatable outfits, a trend seen across the state and country, inspired by Portland, Oregon, protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.
Their message was clear: The nation’s founders created a Constitution to guard against the supreme authority of a monarch. The millions who protested Saturday oppose governance by the executive branch. Protesters represented a range of issues, including health care, public lands, food access and immigration.
“Our community is so connected to our public lands, to ag. All of those values that we love here are really threatened by this administration,” said Karelia Ver Eeke, a Cortez farmer who attended the protest with family members.
Organized by Indivisible Montezuma, Saturday’s turnout exceeded previous rallies against the administration of President Donald Trump by more than 100 people. While the official count was 854, attendees estimated the total was higher, citing people on side streets coming and going.
“We were overwhelmed by the response from the drivers by,” said Indivisible Montezuma organizer Julia Anderson, referring to honks, waves and thumbs-up gestures from motorists on U.S. Highway 160. Some drivers responded negatively, but Anderson said most were supportive.
Rocky Moss, a Gulf War veteran and Cortez resident, said she joined the protest for her children and their future. “I'm out here because we are on the road to ruin. We are on we are marching towards tyranny, if we're not already there,” she said.
When asked why she was protesting, attendee Cathy Lilly of Dolores said, “We're all immigrants here at one point, and I think the way they're being treated is just so unjust.” Lilly held a sign that read “We are Immigrants on Native Land” and wore a panda costume.
Many participants wore shirts or held signs reading “Aunt Ifa,” referencing Trump’s criticism of Antifa. “Antifa means Anti Fascist and we're trying really hard to get that point across,” said Anderson.
Montezuma County is a solidly red county, with nearly 60% of voters supporting Trump in 2024. But this protest, along with nearly monthly demonstrations hosted by groups such as Indivisible and the League of Women Voters, shows a contingent opposing the administration’s actions.
“It was a pretty joyous celebration of like-minded people,” said Anderson.
Minor counter-protests occurred during the rally. Two individuals were pulled over by Cortez police for rolling coal at peaceful protesters on the sidewalk. According to Anderson, six cars had smashed windows by the end of the rally, including one with an Indivisible sticker belonging to an event organizer.
Previous protests in Cortez have prompted speculation about protesters being “bused in and paid,” based on news and social media commentary. In response, Anderson said, “It’s ludicrous to think that 7 million people were paid to show up on Saturday. That's a lot of money. Has anyone found any bank accounts that showed any transfers of funds?”
Mancos residents also held a No Kings protest, with at least 220 attendees holding signs at the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and Main Street from 1 to 2 p.m. on Oct. 18. Sherry Grazda helped organize the event and said, “it's great for people to be in their own town and see how many people are supporting democracy.”
“We know we're making a difference in our community. People are telling us that,” said Anderson. She encouraged anyone inspired by Saturday’s protest to get involved with Indivisible Montezuma by emailing indivisiblemontezuma1@gmail.com.
