On the Scene: Occupy Denver

It’s no surprise that Colorado, like the rest of the nation, is in a deep financial crisis: Our unemployment rate is 8.5 percent. Twelve percent of Coloradans live below the poverty line. And the state ranks in the top 10 for foreclosure filings. It’s enough to rile up the Occupy Denver protesters that have been advocating outside the state Capitol for weeks. The group is part of a national movement—including New York’s Occupy Wall Street—against economic disparity (watch “Occupy Denver Speaks” below to hear from the protestors).

This morning, Governor John Hickenlooper, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said Tent City—which has more than 70 tents, including a kitchen, medical tent, and security—has to fold. “We have said they are welcome to assemble at 5 o’clock in the morning and stay until 11 o’clock at night,” Hickenlooper said. “But they can’t continue to stay there overnight.” The announcement is in line with other cities (New York and Atlanta), but there’s no confirmation yet on how it will be enforced. The clock is ticking.

—Image courtesy of Jeff Panis