An estimated 350 people turned out on June 14 to Polhamus Park in Granby to join a peaceful demonstration against a wide range of Trump administration policies, the Grand County Democrats said.

The local crowd joined millions more across the nation for the “No Kings Day” protests. The targets of their colorful signs, slogans and speeches ran the gamut. From masked ICE agents to DOGE cuts, and stock market manipulation to increasingly brazen corruption, those in attendance made their present indignation known.

According to Liz Newsom, the chair of the Grand County Democrats, the demonstrations were chosen for June 14 in response to a military parade held in Washington D.C. which happened to coincide with Trump’s 79th birthday.

The parade — which was expected to cost between $25 million and $45 million — followed a years-long push by Mr. Trump to host a parade, dating back to his first term. 

“At a time when Republicans in Congress are trying to pass a tax break for billionaires that drives up the Federal deficit and cuts support for everything from food assistance to healthcare, the President’s parade lays bare what most Americans have now seen: the Trump Administration’s priority is not making government more efficient, it’s about helping oligarchs at the expense of everyday Americans,” Newsom stated in an email to Sky-Hi News on June 14.

Reflecting on the rally, Newsom noted a perceived political groundswell in the past few months.

“We’ve had a flood of people getting in touch, asking how they can stand up for democracy,” she stated. “I think that really reflects our local culture. The overwhelmingly positive response, in the form of friendly, enthusiastic honks, waves, and thumbs up that we received from cars passing by the rally indicated strong community support.”

She went to explain how she believes the Grand County political landscape to be in flux, noting recent examples of close votes and split decisions in a number of races.

“We’re a centrist county. You look at the numbers, Kamala Harris was just 79 votes behind in Grand County. Some people like to say, ‘This is a Republican county’. Grand County Democrats believe that no party gets to own a county — it belongs to the voters.

“Governor Polis and Congressman Neguse won Grand in 2022. So I think that shows our communities reject extremes of all stripes. And that is what [yesterday] was about.

“The economy and cost of living were key in the 2024 elections, but President Trump’s agenda has betrayed working Americans. It is increasing inflation. It is threatening to sell 3 million acres of public land. It is cutting popular services that everyday people depend on to fund a tax break for billionaires. And it’s not fooling anybody anymore.”