Bandimere Speedway Holds 'Stop The COVID Chaos Rally'

MORRISON, CO — Owners of the Bandimere Speedway held a rally Tuesday evening in protest of the statewide mask mandate and coronavirus restrictions. Dubbed 'Stop the COVID Chaos,' the protest drew thousands of people, many of whom chose not to wear masks and practice social distancing.

The rally included a presentation of the Bandimere family's lawsuit against Jefferson County over public health restrictions amid the coronavirus outbreak. Colorado House minority leader Rep. Patrick Neville also presented his lawsuit against Gov. Jared Polis' emergency mask mandate.

"Everyone is invited to join us as together we express our God given right to demand a stop to the COVID Chaos Governor Polis has inflicted upon all of us with his Executive Orders and Public Health Orders," The Bandimere Speedway said in an event announcement.

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After the death of George Floyd, public health officials and leaders urged protesters to wear masks and adhere to social distancing guidelines, and many photos and videos show that the majority of protesters in Colorado complied. Health officials said they fear the Bandimere Speedway rally was a 'superspreader event' due to hundreds of attendees not wearing masks.

Jefferson County Public Health sent a letter to the Bandimere Speedway Tuesday, urging the racetrack to follow public health orders. Under the county's variance, events must be capped at 175 people; however, thousands showed up to the rally.

Jeffco Public Health filed a lawsuit against Bandimere Speedway after the Jet Car Nationals July 4. The speedway failed to follow court-ordered public health orders at the event, health officials said. The suit requested a permanent injunction against the business, but due to a new public health order that was issued, the lawsuit was rendered "moot," a judge ruled.

As of Wednesday morning, Jeffco Public Health had not announced any actions taken against the racetrack.