Colorado lawmakers respond to the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial

COLORADO (KRDO) -- Tuesday, former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the death of George Floyd. Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

Floyd's death created a ripple effect across the country, with a combination of protestors and lawmakers demanding police reform.

In Colorado, local lawmakers gave statements Tuesday in response to the final verdict.

Governor Jared Polis released the following statement:

Colorado Senate Members of the Black Caucus released a statement:

"For centuries, the abuse and murder of Black people at the hands of law enforcement have gone unpunished, but today justice was served – allowing the excruciating pain in our chests to subside. We can finally breathe. Until now there has been virtually no precedent for a police officer to be found guilty on all charges, making this an utterly historic day. But while this decision may be groundbreaking it will not bring George Floyd back to his family, his life is forever lost. All we can hope for now is that the magnitude of his death will lead to meaningful, lasting change. Change that will transform the way in which we hold perpetrators accountable, enshrine systemic protection of Black lives, and put us on a path towards ending the scourge of racism in this country once and for all."

Sen. James Coleman (D-Denver), Sen. Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora), and Sen. Janet Buckner (D-Aurora). 

Members of the Black Caucus also stood in silence, holding hands in prayer ahead of giving a press conference following the guilty verdict.

.@TonyExum leads members of the Black Caucus in prayer ahead of a press conference following the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin. #COLeg #COPolitics pic.twitter.com/3YaWDfJaRH

— COHouseDems (@COHouseDem) April 20, 2021

The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement:

No one is above the law. It is my hope that not only will today’s righteous ruling bring some semblance of peace to George Floyd’s family and loved ones, but to the many people that former officer Derek Chauvin assaulted and hurt in the past. Today is a good day, but we must continue to hold police officers who are hurting and killing people of color in our communities accountable. They need to stop killing us.

Halisi Vinson, Executive Director of the Colorado Democratic Party

Attorney General Phil Wiser released the following statement:

“Today’s verdict in the George Floyd murder case represents our justice system working effectively with a jury considering the evidence and performing its duty. But it is not the end. We must continue each day to pursue justice for all and build trust between communities and law enforcement.

“While nothing can bring George Floyd back to his family, today’s verdict shows that we can hold bad actors accountable when they violate the law, move forward together as a nation, and deliver justice for all.

“Today is a somber day. This is not an end, but a beginning. The work must continue to build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve and to hold accountable those who break that trust. With today’s verdict, I am encouraged we can do just that.”

Attorney General Phil Weiser

Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statment:

“Today’s verdict was clear. While we welcome this verdict, let’s remember that no sentence will ever bring George Floyd back to his family. No sentence can erase the trauma that his family has endured.

“Black Americans deserve a world in which their lives aren’t threatened by the very people sworn to protect them. We must reform a broken system that continues to allow these tragedies to happen.”

Senator John Hickenlooper (D)

Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement:

"No jury’s decision can return George Floyd to the safety of his family’s arms. No single verdict can demolish the structural racism that still plagues our country. But today, the jury reached the right conclusion. Tomorrow, we have to continue the work to ensure that every American, no matter their race, can live in safety with equal protection under the law. The Senate should pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.”

Senator Michael Bennet (D)

Additionally, our Denver affiliate 9News obtained a statement from the Denver Police Department

"I respect the judicial process and hope this verdict allows our community and nation to begin to heal.

"Since the horrific killing of George Floyd, the Denver Police Department has listened and learned from our community and continues working to build relationships where we demonstrate how we value those we serve.

We remain committed to finding the best ways to ensure policing in Denver is safe and equitable for all. I believe we have made meaningful progress in the nearly 11 months since his death, but there is more work to be done. Working together as a community is essential to reaching those goals.

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen