Denver quietly cut a deal this week to resolve a federal lawsuit filed by people who say police used excessive force during the city’s 2020 George Floyd protests, halting a jury trial that had been scheduled to start last Monday. The settlement amount has not been disclosed, and any payment will still need approval from the Denver City Council before funds can be released.
According to Denverite, the case, filed in 2022, involved 13 plaintiffs who alleged officers targeted journalists and used overwhelming force, including firing less‑lethal munitions that struck people in the head. The Denverite reported that the settlement was reached just days before jurors were set to hear testimony.
Appeals loss increased pressure
A fresh loss at the appellate level had already put Denver on its heels. In April, a 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals opinion upheld a jury verdict that found the city liable for unconstitutional use of force during the 2020 demonstrations and faulted Denver for inadequate training, according to the 10th Circuit opinion. The ruling described officers' widespread use of chemical agents and projectile munitions against peaceful demonstrators, a finding that lawyers and local officials say has increased pressure on the city to resolve remaining protest-era claims instead of rolling the dice with more juries, as detailed in the 10th Circuit opinion.
Settlement costs and oversight
Municipal leaders have already approved multiple payouts tied to the 2020 protests, and reporting shows those sums, including council-approved payments in the low millions, have pushed Denver's tab into the tens of millions since 2020. Colorado Politics noted a $2.5 million council resolution last year that involved a related group of protesters.
What plaintiffs alleged
Plaintiffs' complaints in the protest era suits say officers and some assisting agencies used tear gas, flash bangs, and projectile rounds indiscriminately, sometimes without warning, and in some instances struck people who were clearly peaceful or filming the events. The Denver Gazette reported that video and witness testimony were central to earlier trials that found constitutional violations.
Legal implications
Legally, the appellate findings about inadequate training and indiscriminate use of less lethal weapons make it harder for the city to avoid liability in similar claims, and that calculus can push officials toward settlement instead of protracted trials. The 10th Circuit opinion lays out the systemic training and policy failures that are now central to those disputes and describes those gaps in detail.
The City and County of Denver has declined to comment on the agreement, and city records reviewed by reporters say any payout would come from the city's general fund and require council approval. Denverite reported that the parties have not disclosed monetary terms and that the scheduled trial has been canceled while the settlement is processed.
