CU Students Bella Consentino and Caitlin Maiwald chant during anti-ICE march in Boulder, Colorado on Friday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Satori Griffith/CU Independent)
University of Colorado Boulder Friday protest
Posters and chalk, long associated with peaceful protest in the United States, once again became visible symbols of civic expression Friday at the University of Colorado Boulder, where hundreds of students gathered in the University Memorial Center quad. Handwritten signs and posters marked the start of a large, student-led march calling attention to political and social tensions surrounding immigration enforcement across the nation.
What began as a small effort by a handful of students sketching posters, writing on chalkboards and spreading the word across campus quickly expanded into a large-scale demonstration. The rally focused on opposition to the increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement nationwide. Following the deaths of two Minneapolis residents, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, at the hands of federal immigration agents, protests have continued across the United States in response.
Sophia Grossman, one of the event’s organizers, said the turnout reflected a shared sense of urgency among students.
“I put flyers everywhere, and the community did it for itself,” Grossman said. “It’s not like we had to do that much, because people are so passionate.”
Grossman organized the protest alongside fellow student Bella Constantino. The pair said they relied on personal networks and connections within various student organizations to mobilize participation, distributing flyers and sharing information through word of mouth and social media.
According to the organizers, the demonstration was held in response to what they described as a nationwide blackout and broader concerns tied to immigration policy and human rights.
Students march down Broadway during an anti-ICE walkout on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
Participants carried signs calling for policy reform, increased protections for immigrant communities, and accountability from elected officials. Several speakers addressed the crowd throughout the afternoon, framing the protest as both a political issue and a moral one.
“We are empowered through our wisdom and our empathy that we learn from being here and expanding our horizons, meeting so many different people,” Constantino said. “This is not just representing Colorado, this is representing the entire country. It’s really beautiful to have us all come here into one space with so many differences…and agree on one thing – that what is going on right now in our country is despicable.”
Organizers said they did not formally seek permission from the university to hold the protest, but noted that some professors expressed support by canceling classes or allowing students to attend without penalty. Throughout the event, students were encouraged to contact senators and other elected officials to voice their concerns and advocate for legislative change.
CU Student Alex El-Amin poses for a photo during anti-ICE protest at the University of Colorado Boulder on Friday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Satori Griffith/CU Independent)
Another CU student, Alex El-Amin, praised the turnout and emphasized solidarity among students. “I want to say I’m so proud of our student body for showing up and being on the right side of history,” she said. “No matter your political affiliation, you need to know that nobody is illegal on stolen land.”
The demonstration remained peaceful, with students filling the quad and marching for several hours before dispersing later in the day or heading to Pearl Street in Boulder to continue the protest.
Boulder Community Saturday Protests
On Saturday, Boulder community members continued to protest the Trump administration and ICE action at Broadway and Canyon Boulevard. Joining them were cyclists riding to honor Alexi Pretti, a Minnesota man fatally shot by two Customs and Border Protection agents in January.
Protesters turn out to downtown Boulder to condemn ICE and the Trump administration on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
Protesters turn out to downtown Boulder to condemn ICE on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
Protesters turn out to downtown Boulder to condemn ICE and the Trump administration on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
“Violence is violence whether that’s committed by a normal citizen or by an actual government agency,” said CU student Alexander Cisneros.
The protest, organized by Forever Indivisible Boulder, garnered roughly 3,000 people in downtown Boulder, according to Boulder Reporting Lab. The cycling protest, which started in North Boulder Park, was organized by Ryan Duzer, a cycling-focused social media influencer.
Like the protest on the CU campus, participants condemned the actions of the Trump administration and ICE officers.
Cisneros said he attended two protests on Friday, including the one on CU campus. He encouraged students to advocate for what they believe in and hold institutions accountable.
“We are the future policymakers; we are the future business leaders,” he said. “We may as well start having say in that now.”
Congressman Joe Neguse poses for a photo with demonstrators at an anti-ICE protest in Boulder on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
Among the protestors was Shelby Giaccarini, who participated in the cycling event. She expressed helplessness over the violence but used the ride to show up within the community.
“I just feel like I am not really sure what else to do other than be here with everyone else and express my severe discontent with what’s happening,” said Giaccarini.
As a member of the Boulder cycling community, Giaccarini said the protest was fitting to remember Pretti.
“I know Alex Pretti … was a big cyclist, and so this felt like a good way to show up in a way that honors him,” she said. “I always think of bicycles as a mild, active protest of taking up space on the roads.”
Giaccarini said the cyclists took over the streets of Boulder while still being safe and friendly.
“I think it all worked out; I think we did what we came to do,” she said.
Contact CU Independent Managing Editor Satori Griffith at satori.griffith@colorado.edu
Contact CU Independent News Editor Avery Clifton at avery.clifton@colorado.edu
