Auraria Campus Developments May 7

Today just before noon, protestors entered the Tivoli Student Union and disrupted campus operations during a meeting between Dr. Angie Paccione, who oversees the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and protest leaders. During the meeting, protestors demonstrated on the first and second floors inside the Tivoli Student Union.

This disruption occurred while Dr. Paccione listened to the protestors’ concerns. During the conversation, protestors made their demands known, threatening to disrupt commencement ceremonies if demands were unmet.

Additionally, at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Monday, May 6, protestors forcefully entered and occupied the private, locked Auraria Campus executive offices within the Tivoli Student Union. The protestors pushed past a student employee and then refused to leave after multiple requests. Campus staff, ACPD officers, and other law enforcement agents led a conversation that resulted in protestors agreeing to meet at a future time. The protestors left the offices and returned to the encampment on the Tivoli quad a little before 5 p.m.

There is no tolerance for those who break the law or willingly disrupt the safety and well-being of our community. Students violating their institution’s student code of conduct could be subject to consequences according to that Code. Over the past several days, protestors’ tactics have escalated beyond peaceful protests with evidence of trespassing, biohazard threats, blocking city roads, and vandalism on the Auraria Campus.