Denver's Fortieth Anniversary Marade Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A bundled-up group gathered around the Martin Luther King Jr. statue at the City Park Esplanade. Evan Semón

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The chilly weather didn't stop hundreds of people, including former mayor Wellington Webb and first lady Wilma Webb, from meeting at the "I Have a Dream" statue at the City Park Esplanade this morning, where they kicked off one of the country's largest MLK celebrations.

As a state legislator, Wilma Webb was instrumental in pushing to make MLK Day a holiday in this state; it took her four tries before the Colorado Legislature finally approved creating a King holiday and Governor Richard Lamm signed the bill into law in 1984, establishing the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission.

The next year, the commission held the first Marade — a combination parade/march — with Wilma Webb at the head of a group of about 15,000 people.

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Mayor Wellington Webb and first lady Wilma Webb were front and center despite the cold.

Evan Semon

Although the crowd was much smaller on this cold day, it was no less enthusiastic. After a short ceremony, the marchers headed west to Civic Center Park. Here are scenes from the fortieth anniversary MLK Marade:

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The symbolic "Flame of Hope" torch arrives amidst frigid temperatures.

Evan Semon

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The Marade heads south down the Esplanade on January 20, 2025.

Evan Semon

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Denver's 46th mayor, Michael Johnston, led the small but spirited group.

Evan Semon

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Donald Trump's Inauguration in Washington, D.C.. was on the mind of marchers.

Evan Semon

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Denver City Councilmembers (from left) Darrell Watson and Diana Romero Campbell were joined by former deputy mayor Happy Haynes and State Senator James Coleman.

Evan Semon

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A marcher brought a portrait of MLK to the fortieth annual Marade.

Evan Semon

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Denver's Latino communities came together to celebrate MLK and their works with Servicios de La Raza.

Evan Semon

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Some marchers had anti-Trump flags, but they didn't detract from the MLK commemoration.

Evan Semon

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Denver Chief of Police Ron Thomas and Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins.

Evan Semon

Single-digit temperatures led to a much smaller crowd; here are all the Marade attendees in one photo.

Evan Semon

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A light dusting of snow on the MLK statue greeted Marade marchers on Monday morning.

Evan Semon