Saturday, Nov. 7—Cheers and honking car horns echoed throughout Denver after news of Joe Biden’s presidential win trickled into the city goers’ Twitter feeds and television screens shortly after 10 a.m. While some cities like New York and Los Angeles saw widespread, day-long support for Biden in the streets, Denver resembled scenes in Atlanta and Phoenix where Trump and Biden supporters both attempted to claim city hotspots for demonstrations.  

Tension coated the air at the Denver Capitol early in the day as opposing supporters simultaneously protested and celebrated Biden’s win. The news came four days after Tuesday’s election day, and various US states like Florida and Pennsylvania saw similar clashes throughout the entire nail-biting week of ballot counting. 

For most of the afternoon, Trump supporters bearing MAGA flags posted up in front of the Denver Capitol. A hoard of riot-dressed Denver police created a barrier between the conservative group and a swath of Biden supporters milling around the area. Occasionally, contrasting chants broke out in the area. Trump supporters yelled, “four more years” and “USA,” while Biden supporters shouted “Fuck Donald Trump” and “Black Lives Matter.” 

Though Denver Police heavily monitored the scene from the ground and the Capitol’s balcony, violence never broke out, save for some verbal altercations between opposing supporters. 

On the other side of the city, Biden backers also took part in a relaxed event at Cheesman Park. They performed live European folk music and waved rainbow Pride flags. Tay Anderson, a popular community activist and Denver School Board Director, State Sen. Julie Gonzales and freshly-elected Rep. Iman Jodeh spoke in support of Biden and Harris at the event. 

Later in the afternoon, a more lively celebration took to Denver’s streets. The festivities included all the makings of a traditional Denver demonstration. The Brothers of Brass provided music, and Denverites danced down Colfax Avenue sporting handmade signs and champagne bottles. As one user on Twitter stated, “It’s a party, not a protest.” 

Outside of the main organized hotspots, the celebration reverberated across the city as people wielding Biden signs and American flags hung out car windows and drove across the city. Many cheered from their homes and sidewalks to passing traffic, where cars honked horns in return. 

With the recent Home-by-10 order in place to combat rising COVID-19 cases in the city, Denver’s celebrations will likely not go late into the night. However, some Twitter action indicates that celebratory Denverites may be out on the streets again tomorrow. 

UPDATE: Tay Anderson organized a celebratory car rally on Sunday which drew large crowds in support of Biden, continuing the demonstrations from the previous day. No further action was seen on Monday.