Denver must pay George Floyd protesters $14 million, court rules

Katie Langford, The Denver Post on Apr 21, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

DENVER — Denver must pay $14 million to a group of protesters injured by police during the 2020 George Floyd protests, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday.

The federal court agreed that the city is liable for “unconstitutional force” used by Denver Police Department officers against 12 protesters during the demonstrations between May 28 and June 2, 2020.

“We reject Denver’s arguments and uphold the jury’s verdict,” the court wrote. “We do so based specifically on the jury’s finding that Denver inadequately trained its officers.”

The jury awarded the 12 protesters sums ranging from $750,000 to $3 million each, with most being awarded $1 million.

The appeals court on Tuesday also upheld a connected ruling that Denver Police Department Officer Jonathan Christian used excessive force against Elisabeth Epps when he shot her with a pepperball while she was peacefully protesting during the 2020 demonstrations.

Christian was initially ordered to pay Epps $250,000 in punitive damages, but the jury later reduced that amount to $50,000.

_____