Multiple school districts in Colorado shut down Friday classes amid anticipated mass absences linked to a nationwide protest movement following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Aurora Public Schools and Adams 14 School District preemptively canceled in-person instruction due to what they described as a higher-than-expected number of staff and student absences. The move came as part of broader demonstrations known as “ICE Out,” aimed at drawing attention to federal immigration enforcement practices.
Aurora Public Schools announced that the day would be converted to a professional release day that was originally scheduled for February. Staff not submitting absences were still expected to report, but all student activities, including before- and after-school programs, were canceled. Grab-and-go lunches were made available to students affected by the closure.
Adams 14 Superintendent Karla Loría cited similar concerns over staffing levels and declared the day a teacher workday with no students present. The district said it anticipated a “high number” of absences tied to ongoing national protests and local solidarity movements.
Other districts across the Denver metro area modified schedules without fully shutting down. Denver Public Schools announced late starts for certain campuses and canceled some programs, while Boulder Valley School District remained open but warned of limited staffing. Teachers from other areas, such as the Roaring Fork Valley, also indicated they would participate in rallies and walkouts.
The “ICE Out” protest is part of a growing national backlash against federal immigration authorities and their role in the recent controversial enforcement actions that led to the two fatal shootings. Organizers urged students and employees to skip school, work, and shopping to demand systemic change. While not all schools closed, the ripple effects showed the strength of the movement and its ability to disrupt daily life far beyond the initial flashpoints.
