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Denver PrideFest parade draws large crowds, police investigating "possible threat"

Posted at 12:24 PM, Jun 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-20 12:17:55-04

Large crowds lined the streets for the Denver PrideFest parade that lasted three hours Sunday morning.

The parade saw thousands of participants and people watching. Noticeable was the large police presence, dozens of police in the blocks surrounding the parade's end. 

"Just standing up everywhere for victims of Orlando, LGBTQ violence every year that goes unrecognized," said Tony Modica, who sported a Denver loves Orlando sign on his scooter. "Hopefully people will start recognizing that now. It's nationwide and worldwide."

The parade also brought in Denver's chief of police. Robert White walked the route in a group of LBGTQ supporters. At the end, he spoke about how touching the support really is.

"This is the largest turn out we've seen. I think a lot of it is in support of what happened in Orlando," said Chief White. "I'm really kind of touching emotional, because every step along the route, they were really showing an appreciation for the police officers."

White told Denver7 they had heard of a threat to PrideFest, but upon investigation found it to be not credible. A spokesperson for the department said while all threats are treated seriously, there is no need to worry, and the police will alert the public if a real threat is known.

The parade started at 9:30 in the morning, and lasted until after 11:30 a.m.