No law enforcement traffic control anticipated for Saturday’s Trump convoy between Fort Collins, Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) said Friday that it will not provide traffic control during Saturday's convoy between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, in support of former president Donald Trump.

According to the CSP, no traffic impacts are anticipated that would require a presence by state troopers -- even with the possibility of heavier traffic during New Year's weekend.

Participants in the convoy "are free to drive on Interstate 25 just as other drivers would," said Master Trooper Gary Cutler. "If an issue develops and we're needed there, then we will shift resources. But we're not planning for that."

Likewise, Colorado Springs police and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office aren't planning to provide traffic control for the event when it moves into the local area.

"We are aware of the event and are appropriately monitoring it to ensure public safety, but at this time, we are not anticipating any issues," said police spokesman Ira Cronin.

Trent Leisy, a candidate to replace departing Rep. Ken Buck in Congressional District 4, is one of the main organizers of the event to oppose Trump's recent removal from the March primary ballot for the 2024 presidential election.

"We don't have a count yet of how many people will come," Leisy said. "But we've heard from people in Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas, as well as from all over Colorado. People from Colorado Springs and Pueblo are also coming to the start point in Fort Collins so that they can ride the convoy from start to finish."

Leisy said that organizers will have staff on hand to provide traffic control "to make sure that drivers join or leave the convoy smoothly and safely. We've requested assistance from the CSP but haven't heard back from them."

Cutler said that he's unaware of any such request.

The convoy is scheduled to leave Fort Collins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, with several places where people can merge with it prior to its scheduled noon arrival at DCF Guns West store, near the intersection of Garden of the Gods Road and Centennial Boulevard in Colorado Springs.

Part of the convoy will leave Pueblo at 11 a.m. and travel north to the store, after which there will be a rally from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.