Denver 4/20 rally organizers receive 3-year ban after event left Civic Center Park trashed
The rally’s organizers pledged to appeal, say penalties motivated by anti-marijuana views
May 22, 2017
DENVER, CO - APRIL 21: People walk through Civic Center Park the morning after the 4/20 marijuana event was held at the park on April 21, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock's administration banned the organizer of this year's 4/20 rally from hosting the event for three years citing a series of violations at the marijuana celebration.
In a letter released Saturday, the administration identified "substantial violations of city requirements" after conducting a review of the 2017 event and imposed $11,965 in fines and $190 in damages in addition to the temporary ban.
"We will continue to ensure that events in our parks are safe, compliant and of high quality," said Happy Haynes, the executive director of Denver Parks and Recreation in a statement.
An attorney for the Denver 4/20 rally organization called the three-year ban "extreme overkill" on the part of Hancock's administration and suggested the real explanation is the mayor's opposition to marijuana. He pledged to get the decision overturned on appeal.
