Denver Pays $22M for George Floyd Protest Injuries, More Payouts Possible

City continues to settle lawsuits from 2020 demonstrations, with over $14M more in potential payouts.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Nearly six years after the George Floyd protests in Denver, the city has paid out approximately $22 million in settlements to injured protesters, with another $14 million potentially on the way depending on a pending appeal. The Citizen Oversight Board says the payouts reflect "serious errors in leadership, in judgment, in protocols and processes" during the 2020 demonstrations.

Why it matters

The large payouts underscore the lasting impact and consequences of the city's response to the 2020 George Floyd protests, which saw dozens of lawful protesters injured by police tactics like pepper balls and foam rounds. The settlements aim to provide some redress, though the board notes "money does not bring your eye back" for those who suffered severe injuries.

The details

In the latest settlement, the city paid $325,000 to Stephen Fink, who says a police officer fired a 40mm foam round into his groin, severely rupturing his testicle and leaving him hospitalized for weeks. Fink says the incident led to a period of homelessness, but the settlement now allows him to "start healing." The Citizen Oversight Board estimates the total payouts so far at $22 million, with another $14 million potentially owed depending on a pending appeal.

  • The George Floyd protests took place in Denver in 2020.
  • The city has paid out settlements over the past nearly 6 years since the protests.
  • In December 2025, the City Council approved a $325,000 settlement for Stephen Fink.

The players

Stephen Fink

A man who recently received a $325,000 settlement from the City of Denver for injuries he sustained during the 2020 George Floyd protests, including a severely ruptured testicle after being hit by a police foam round.

Citizen Oversight Board

A board that estimates the city has paid out approximately $22 million in settlements related to injuries from the George Floyd protests, with another $14 million potentially owed depending on a pending appeal.

Julia Richman

The chair of the Citizen Oversight Board, who says the payouts reflect "serious errors in leadership, in judgment, in protocols and processes" during the 2020 protests.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It has been really traumatic. The physical injury was the least of it even though I spent weeks unable to do absolutely anything but lay on my back in bed.”

— Stephen Fink (9news.com)

“We cannot ignore the harm that was caused in those protests. Dozens of people who are lawfully protesting were pepper balled and sprayed.”

— Julia Richman, Chair, Citizen Oversight Board (9news.com)

“I think it reflects serious errors in leadership, in judgment, in protocols and processes. Money does not bring your eye back, for example, if your eye is shot out by the police.”

— Julia Richman, Chair, Citizen Oversight Board (9news.com)

What’s next

The city faces a pending appeal that could result in an additional $14 million in payouts related to the George Floyd protest injuries.

The takeaway

The large settlements paid out by Denver over the past six years underscore the lasting impact and consequences of the city's response to the 2020 George Floyd protests, which the Citizen Oversight Board says reflected "serious errors" in leadership and protocols. While the payouts aim to provide some redress, the board notes money cannot undo the severe injuries suffered by lawful protesters during the demonstrations.