DENVER -- Thousands of Coloradans took part in the Martin Luther King Jr. marade in downtown Denver.

This year's combination march and parade, from City Park to Civic Center Park near the Capitol, came a day before what's seen by many participants as the realization of part of King's dream -- the inauguration of America's first black president.

Black and white, young and old, bands and drill teams marched along Colfax Boulevard to commemorate the slain civil rights leader and celebrate Barack Obama's pending presidency. One banner read, "Someday is here" -- a reference to King's 1963 "I have a Dream" speech.

"It's the biggest deal you can imagine," said Gerrie Lewis, 51, as she watched the parade from the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception near the Capitol. "We're all familiar with Dr. King's 'I have a dream' speech. Obama is bringing the dream to life."

Lewis' day care students sat in lawn chairs watching and cheering the parade.

Homero Ocon, 38, pushed a baby stroller along the route as he walked beside a banner that read, "We have a Dream -- Immigration Reform -- Stop the Raids." A crowd chanted in English and Spanish, "The people united will never be divided!"

"We support Obama, and at the same time we want our voices to be heard," Ocon said. "We want to keep the movement alive."

"I have worked at Lafayette and Colfax for nine years (and) have watched the MLK day parade every year. Never before have I seen so many people," said Eric Wheeler. "It's simply amazing. "

Tony Weathersby, an Aurora resident, brought six of his children to march with him in the marade.

"We just wanted to make sure we were part of this, trying to teach the children just how precious our freedom is in America and how far we've come as African Americans," he said.

King Day events were being held around the state -- and Coloradans also volunteered at a series of "Call to Service" community events statewide. Michelle Obama and other leaders had urged U.S. citizens to mark the holiday by helping others.

Similar events were held in other Colorado cities to mark Martin Luther King Day.

Marade organizers estimated 45,000 people marched.