Denver police closed streets leading into downtown Denver and used pepper spray to disperse unruly crowds following the Denver Broncos win in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday night.
As of 12:45 a.m. Monday, police had arrested 12 people. Police spokesman Sonny Jackson the arrests were for criminal mischief, starting fires and throwing things at officers. Two people were also arrested on gun-related charges, Jackson said.
No officers were hurt. A window on a police cruiser was shattered in the chaos, part of the small amount of Super Bowl celebration property damage that also included trash cans and patio furniture on the 16th Street Mall being turned over.
“Overall, things went pretty well,” Jackson said. “There were a handful of people who were somewhat unruly.”
After the game, Broncos fans spilled out of bars and onto downtown streets. In the 1900 block of Market Street, fans took over the street, dancing and chanting for hours. But some of the celebrations also turned rowdy.
Police closed multiple streets downtown and also shut down the Interstate 25 off ramps at 20th Street, 23rd Avenue, Speer Boulevard and Park Avenue West, to try to stem the flow of people coming into downtown. At about 12:45 a.m. Monday, all the ramps were reopened as were the streets.
Officers donned riot gear and moved through downtown in large groups, sometimes hanging off the side of police SUVs. About an hour after the game ended, officers used batons to move crowds on the 16th Street Mall at Champa Street. Later, officers used pepper spray and fired gas-filled pepper balls in confrontations with fans near the mall.
Some said they were grateful for the police presence to ensure the safety of the public.
“When people acted out toward the cops they retaliated.” said Tamrick Ortegon, 21, who was in downtown following the big win. “It’s reasonable when you get a bottle thrown at you. I saw a beer bottle go through the back of a cop car. It would have gotten out of hand without the police presence.”
But others were somewhat critical of the situation.
“It’s a mess down here,” said Jessica Palmer. “All of this police stuff is so excessive. If there’s something that goes down, then I guess I’m glad there are so many around, but otherwise stand back. Everyone is just trying to celebrate.”
The tension seemed to ease by midnight, as many fans had left downtown in the falling temperatures.
“Both sides were acting ridiculous, but it hyped it up a lot more,” said Dominic Dincola . “I mean the Broncos did just win the Super Bowl.”
RTD reported that there was no light rail train service in central downtown Denver. Trains are in service from Union Station out of town.
Rowdy celebrations were also reported in Fort Collins and Boulder, where a photo on social media showed a couch on fire.
John Ingold: 303-954-1068, jingold@denverpost.com or @johningold
