Videos recorded by city security cameras in Civic Center show that cleanup activities following the large 4/20 celebration late Thursday night left plenty of trash strewn about the park.
The clips, provided to The Denver Post by police in response to a public records request, show that organizers, volunteers and a hired cleanup crew didn’t make much headway after the pro-marijuana event ended around 8 p.m. and vendors cleared out of the park in the hours afterward.
In a few locations, including the Greek Amphitheater and the center plaza of the park, videos time-stamped around 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. showed similar amounts of trash on the ground as videos taken of the same places on Friday morning, between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.
Rally organizer Miguel Lopez said Friday that some complications had arisen Thursday night, including people visiting the park and rummaging through trash bags while the sparse crews were trying to cleanup.
At another point, police confirmed, crews reported one of those people pulling a pocket knife on them about 10:45 p.m.
Lopez said cleanup crews were asked to leave by midnight Thursday, at Denver police’s request, after being told the park was closed to everyone.
That meant 14th Avenue still had plenty of trash on it, according to one surveillance video that showed city street-sweepers arriving about 12:30 a.m. They gathered the trash into piles on the asphalt for sweeping to ensure that the street could be reopened to traffic by morning rush hour.
Another complication: At a couple points overnight, the video clips showed people who might be homeless again rummaging through trash. That and the wind may have spread some piles.
The result of the slow cleanup was a flare-up in the long-simmering tension the 4/20 organizers have had with city officials for the annual event — even though this year’s permit gave them another full day, until 11:59 p.m. Friday, to finish clearing the park of trash.
When Denver woke Friday to piles and piles of refuse covering Civic Center, images quickly spread via social media and caught media outlets’ attention. The garbage was mostly concentrated around trash cans and appeared to have been pulled out of bags and boxes that had been emptied and tossed aside.
City workers took photos of the trash piles in the morning as people walking to their offices picked their way through the mess, some stopping to stare and take their own pictures.
Organizers returned and finished cleaning the park by the early afternoon. Other passersby chipped in.
Late Friday afternoon, Denver police provided The Post with the video clips from HALO (High Activity Location Observation) surveillance cameras that are pointed at locations in Civic Center.
On Thursday, thousands of people descended on Civic Center for the 4/20 rally. The event included vendors, food trucks, the unofficial 4:20 p.m. marijuana smoke-in and a concert by rapper 2 Chainz.
Event organizers are required to submit trash and cleanup plans when seeking a permit, said spokeswoman Grace Lopez Ramirez of the Denver special events office.
Lopez, one of the organizers, said one crew member was threatened with a knife by one of the people sifting through trash, but opted not to press charges.
Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson confirmed that police officers responded to a call about the knife incident. He said the crew members declined to file a complaint, so police marked the incident as a disturbance and asked the suspect, who had a pocket knife, to leave the park.
Around 2 a.m., police received a call about someone digging through a trash can near 14th Avenue and Bannock Street. Police confronted the individual and he stopped, said Christine Downs, a police spokeswoman. Police staff reviewing surveillance footage later Friday saw that someone was sifting through a trash can around midnight, she said.
Dawnarie Brook’s has been cleaning the park this morning. She was at the #denver420 rally & said the park wasn’t trashed when she left pic.twitter.com/TJkuYD6eVG
On Friday morning, Dawnarie Brook’s was out picking up trash. She had attended the 4/20 rally the night before, she said.
She left the Samaritan House Homeless Shelter Friday around 6:30 a.m. and was shocked when she reached Civic Center. She tended to at least one of the large garbage piles, collecting trash into boxes because the city trash can was lying on its side. A passerby heard her talking about the situation and stopped to help stand the heavy trash can back up.
Provided by Denver Police Department
A video still from a camera at the Greek amphitheater at Civic Center Park shows the scene at 9 p.m. April 20, 2017 (top) and 6:41 a.m. April 21, 2017 (bottom).
Provided by Denver Police Department
A video still from a camera at Civic Center Park shows the scene at 10:04 p.m. April 20, 2017 (top) and 6 a.m. April 21, 2017 (bottom).
Brook’s said she planned to keep cleaning until that pile was gone but would have to stop because her back was in too much pain. For her, it was especially upsetting to see all of the recyclables that had been strewn about and rained on.
“Colorado is a green state,” she said. “It’s a very healthy state.”
More photos from yesterday’s rally and other 4/20-inspired events:
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO – April 20: Nic Ruhl 27 of Golden lighting up as the haze from the 420 smokeout builds behind him during the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver.April 20, 2017, Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO – April 20: Margot Cockrell of Boulder spreading smiles with her bubbles in the slight rain with over an hour to go to the countdown at Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver.April 20, 2017, Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Chris Stokes, left, and Angel Zickefoose smoke marijuana during the 4/20 event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Dustin Creasy, of Denver, takes a hit during the 4/20 event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO – April 20: Ready for anything as the slight rain starts to fall at the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver.April 20, 2017, Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO – April 20: Alexus Alcala 20, of Denver happy and still smoking after the 420 countdown in the rain at the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver.April 20, 2017, Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO – April 20: “Chango” spinning balls while waiting for the 420 countdown at the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. April 20, 2017, Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Jimmy Smrz sits quietly during a minute of silence at exactly 4:20pm in the sanctuary of the new International Church of Cannabis as he joins other guests for the 4/20 celebration services at the church on April 20, 2017 in Denver. The unique church chose the popular day and event to open their doors to the public. The members of this new church call themselves Elevationists and say that the use of cannabis helps elevate people to a higher form of themselves.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Andrea Camp, left, of Chicago, hugs Kimm Miller, right, from Lakewood, as she smokes from a pipe as the two participate in 4/20 celebration services at the International Church of Cannabis on April 20, 2017 in Denver. The unique church used the popular event to open their doors to the public. The members of this new church call themselves Elevationists and say that the use of cannabis helps elevate people to a higher form of themselves.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Holly Jury, left and her husband Matt enjoy the lounge area at the International Church of Cannabis before joining in 4/20 celebrations services at the church on April 20, 2017 in Denver.The unique church used the popular event to open their doors to the public. The members of this new church call themselves Elevationists and say that the use of cannabis helps elevate people to a higher form of themselves.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Cannabis church-goers shake hands to meet one another after 4:20pm in the sanctuary of the new International Church of Cannabis during 4/20 celebration services at the church on April 20, 2017 in Denver. The unique church chose the popular day and event to open their doors to the public. The members of this new church call themselves Elevationists and say that the use of cannabis helps elevate people to a higher form of themselves.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
4/20 People gather to celebrate during the 4/20 marijuana event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
People go through security at the 4/20 marijuana event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO – April 20: Nina Thomas 19, kissingTasha Taylor 19, both of Denver before lighting a joint in the rain at the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver.April 20, 2017, Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Glassware smoking products from the Highlander company out of Ft. Collins for sale at Denver’s 420 rally at Civic Center Park April 20, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO – April 20: dancing and smoking in the rain after lighting up at the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver.April 20, 2017, Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Festival goer, Denver native Paulette Cordova, fires up a joint at Denver’s 420 rally at Civic Center Park April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Abigail Sweeney, from Colorado Springs, dances with a hula hoop during the 4/20 marijuana holiday at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Tango Crenshaw attends the 4/20 marijuana event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Spencer Ward celebrates during the 4/20 marijuana event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Top-Flight Empire performs despite the rain at the annual Denver 4/20 rally at Civic Center Park in Denver April 20, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Owner of Rasta Culture Gift Shop Elliott Awatt organizes his table at Denver’s 420 rally at Civic Center Park April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Paul, who did on want to give a last name, loads his pipe during the 4/20 marijuana event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Native Americans dance during the annual Denver 4/20 rally at Civic Center Park in Denver April 20, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Festival goer Sherman Doyle shows of his extensive back tattoo at Denver’s 420 rally at Civic Center Park April 20, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
“Carly” the chihuahua sports festive hat and vest at Denver’s 420 rally at Civic Center Park April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Marijuana themed clothing is popular during the 4/20 event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Adam Solto, of La Veta, takes a hit as he relaxes in the sun during the 4/20 event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Pineapple Choppo, on vacation form Mississippi, joins others at the 4/20 marijuana event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Samantha Salazar sets up a booth for her company, Lunar Landings, during the 4/20 marijuana event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
4/20 Michael Oliver, aka Cadillac, attends the 4/20 marijuana event at Civic Center Park on April 20, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Rachel Himes, left, gets wanded by a security official at the entrance to Denver’s 420 rally at Civic Center Park April 20, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Festival goers wait in a long line to get into Denver’s 420 rally at Civic Center Park April 20, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Denver’s 420 rally at Civic Center Park April 20, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Festival goers dance at Civic Center Park during the annual 420 rally April 20, 2017 in Denver.
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