Official: Police acted properly during Denver riot

Sandy Shore

Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999 | 10:42 a.m.

DENVER -- Police acted appropriately in using tear gas and other measures to break up an unruly crowd of revelers during post-Super Bowl celebrations, a city official says.

At least 20 people were arrested and dozens were treated for tear gas exposure in the aftermath of the violence downtown Sunday. Property damage was estimated at $160,000.

Andrew Hudson, a spokesman for Mayor Wellington Webb, said the crowd was smaller than in the previous year, but was more aggressive in causing trouble by turning over trash cans and cars, breaking windows and setting off bonfires.

"I think it could have been a lot worse," Hudson said Monday. "I think if police had not done as well in organizing their efforts, a lot more people would have gotten hurt.

"Clearly, this was a crowd that had no respect for other people's property. They were hell-bent on causing trouble."

Denver was one of several cities statewide that reported problems with rowdy fans after the Denver Broncos defeated Miami to win their second consecutive NFL title. There were no major reports of damage or injuries.

From Coors Field to the Capitol, pockets of fans tipped over trash cans and cars, broke windows in dozens of buildings, spilled newspaper boxes, ripped down street signs and lit bonfires.

Police used tear gas, horseback patrols and other riot-prevention measures to break them up. Officers in full riot gear banged nightsticks on shields and walked side by side through the streets to force the crowds to disperse.

"It was rowdy and the police acted with as much restraint as they could," Hudson said. "They also effectively used tear gas where it got really out of control."

Denver officials had expected problems based on the aftermath of the 1998 Super Bowl when police arrested more than 25 revelers and 50 people were overcome by tear gas. Store windows were broken, cars were overturned and bonfires were set in the streets.

This year, police blocked access to downtown, banned parking along some streets and practiced crowd-control measures.

In northern Colorado, police officers in Greeley also used tear gas to disperse crowds. Three people were arrested and two hospitalized for minor injuries.

About 50 Fort Collins officers used pepper spray and batons to control a crowd of between 2,000 and 4,000 revelers, mostly students at nearby Colorado State University.

Fort Collins police spokeswoman Rita Davis said there was one arrest, but damage and injuries were minor.

In Grand Junction, officers tried dogs and tear gas before resorting to water streaming from fire hoses to break up fans tying up traffic by packing a main street. At least five people were arrested, but there were few reports of vandalism, said police spokeswoman Shari Zen.

Pueblo officers said they had numerous arrests for firecrackers, drunken driving and a bonfire.

Boulder police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of several hundred. There were three arrests and minor injuries to some police officers, city officials said.