On Saturday morning, the Associated Press determined that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election. By 11 a.m., Denverites began to gather in front of the state Capitol building. The crowd grew as more people began driving around the neighborhood. The cacophony of honking horns and shouting was unending for several hours.
People gathered in front of the Colorado Capitol celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Bill Huston banged together a pot and a spatula on his drive around denver celebrating Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Damarley Laing shouts in front of the Colorado Capitol in celebration of Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
People driving around the Capitol honk and cheer in celebration of Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
People gathered on the Colorado Capitol lawn celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
People gathered in front of the Colorado Capitol celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Will Montague sheilds baby Oscar's ears as people driving around the Colorado Capitol honk endlessly in celebration of Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
People driving around the Capitol honk and cheer in celebration of Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Michael Nuñez and Tyler Kunkel yell as cars honk their horns in celebration of Joe Biden's win on Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Jules Roman (left) and Victoria Meehan, Denverites, celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 7, 2020. Roman said they are both trans, and they both are relieved to feel safe being in public again. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Denverites celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Meg Fitzpatrick said she's basically cried all day, even after joining Denverites celebrating Joe Biden's presidential victory here at the Colorado Capitol. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Kate Napier made these shoes for herself and her mom, Carol, and wore them to the Capitol to celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Kara Bovenzi (left) and Meagen Svendsen celebrate Joe Biden's presidential victory in front of the Colorado State Capitol. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Around noon, a group of President Donald Trump's supporters arrived at the Capitol.
Some held flags. Others carried signs reading things like "stop the steal," referring to an unfounded belief that the election was unfairly tilted in Biden's favor.
Most of the people at the Capitol celebrating Biden's win left shortly after the Trump supporters arrived, but some remained and began shouting at the new arrivals. As the yelling intensified, Colorado State Patrol officers emerged from the Capitol and stood between the two crowds.
Supporters of President Donald Trump arrived to the Colorado State Capitol as others celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Justin Jacobson waves a flag for President Donald Trump as others celebrate Joe Biden's presidential victory in front of the Colorado State Capitol. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Alex Franceski (right) and Joe Andres came to the Colorado State Capitol to express their frustration with what they said was an unfair election in favor of Joe Biden. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
People argue over politics as supporters of Donald Trump and Joe Biden rally in front of the Colorado State Capitol. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Colorado State Troopers stand in between supporters of Joe Biden and Donald Trump rallying at the Capitol. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Iris Butler attempts to lead chants among supporters of Joe Biden as state police stand between them and supporters of Donald Trump at the Capitol. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
The vibe was entirely different at Cheesman Park.
Around 1 p.m., people began gathering on the lawn for an organized celebration. A band played eastern European folk music. People played yard games, drank beer and champagne, smoked pot, petted dogs and lounged in the grass. Then, speakers like State Sen. Julie Gonzales, newly elected state Rep. Iman Jodeh and Denver Public Schools board member Tay Anderson addressed the crowd.
Denverites gathered at Cheesman Park celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Ty Bradford waves his pride flag as Denverites gathered at Cheesman Park celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Taylor Soderborg is dressed as a bald eagle as Denverites gathered at Cheesman Park celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Damien Vaden came to Cheesman Park to celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Denver Public Schools board member Tay Anderson rallies Denverites gathered at Cheesman Park in celebration of Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Denverites celebrating Joe Biden's presidential victory at Cheesman Park to the "YMCA." Nov. 7, 2020. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Kevin is a multimedia artist who flung himself into the world of journalism. He likes using a camera and microphone to tell stories about workers, the environment, social justice and fascinating humans.
