Protesters stage 'die-in' in remembrance of people killed on Denver streets last year
DENVER — Protesters gathered on Wednesday afternoon at Denver City and County Building for a "die-in" to honor the 93 people killed on Denver's streets in 2025.
Last year was the deadliest year since Denver joined “Vision Zero,” a coalition of more than 60 cities that aim to eliminate traffic deaths. Twenty nine drivers, 35 pedestrians, 13 motorcyclists, 5 cyclists, 8 electric-scooter riders and 3 others accounted for last year’s deaths.
"These are not just numbers. They are neighbors. These lost lives are not forgotten, and ours are not expendable," said Adrienne Razavi, lead organizer of the event, in a statement beforehand. Razavi works at Denver Streets Partnership, an organization that advocates for “people-friendly” streets.
Transportation advocates released their Mayor's Report Card in January, in which they gave Mayor Mike Johnston's administration a "D" on transportation safety, access and mobility. The group based its grade on what it described as the mayor’s slow implementation of transit projects, like bike lanes, and the elimination of funding allotted to transportation safety.
The advocacy groups Denver Streets Partnership, Denver Bicycle Lobby and Pedestrian Dignity organized the die-in event. Some participants met earlier in the day at Federal Boulevard and Alameda Parkway to walk, bike and ride public transportation to the event.
“The public right of ways should be for everyone, not just for cars. I’m out here to let the elected officials know that we’d like it to be safer,” said Ari Snow, who attended the event wearing a skeleton t-shirt.
Wide roads encourage drivers to speed, Snow said. “It’s created a culture where people behind the wheel of an automobile feel entitled to the road and don’t have respect for other users.”
According to the city, speeding is the biggest variable contributing to severe injury or death in a crash.
“I like to ride my bike around town, and I often don’t feel safe. I’ve had a lot of close calls and even some road rage incidents,” said Jill Grabill.
Mississippi Avenue, Iowa Avenue and Alameda Parkway feel particularly unsafe to cross to Grabill.
During the die-in, organizers read the names of victims and protesters laid on the concrete. Then they observed a moment of silence. Not all the victims’ names are known.
These deaths are "predictable and preventable,” said volunteer Andy Cushen, who spoke at the event.
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