It’s unheard of for protesters — even one or two — to disrupt a governor’s annual address to the General Assembly. And you’d suspect that any protesters who disrupted a Democratic governor’s speech to be from the opposite side of the political realm.

That wasn’t the case on Thursday, when 23 anti-fracking/climate activists were arrested at the state Capitol, some inside the House chambers and some outside the building. As of 4 p.m. Thursday, that number was up to 38, according to Denver Police Department spokesman Jay Casillas. Those arrested are being cited for investigation of disrupting a lawful assembly, trespassing and obstructing a peace officer. 

They shouted prior to the start of the governor’s 57-minute speech and unfurled a large banner reading “No well at Bella Romero / No more sacrifice zones” over the railing of the third-floor gallery. All were forcibly removed and arrested, according to Capitol security.

One protestor put his hands around a baluster below the gallery rail and glued them together. State patrol officers had to rip his hands apart to remove him.

Just as Polis was beginning his remarks, one last protester began shouting, “Ban fracking now!” He was also removed by Capitol security, including House sergeants and state patrol officers.

A group of climate activists rallied on the Capitol steps while Polis delivered his remarks.

“There is a climate emergency and we need to start acting in bold and meaningful ways,” the activists said in a joint statement. “We demand that our governor declare a climate emergency, immediately stop fracking operations at Bella Romero Elementary School in Greeley and put a pause on new permits, do everything possible to meet a net zero emissions goal of 2025, and ensure a just transition that prioritizes the marginalized populations suffering the most from climate injustice.”

In November, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment found elevated levels of benzene, a chemical associated with crude oil and gasoline, near Bella Romero.

“While we can’t say conclusively why this instance of elevated benzene occurred, the state is taking further action now to ensure the kids in this school and people in this community have peace of mind and clean air to breathe,” John Putnam, director of environmental programs with the CDPHE, said at the time.

The protesters outside the Capitol included chapters of the Sunrise Movement, local and national Extinction Rebellion groups, Indivisible groups, Frack Free Colorado and the Denver Democratic Socialists of America.

Although Rep. Lois Landgraf, R-Colorado Springs, isn’t part of the governor’s party, she wasn’t happy with the disruptions.

“Regardless of your opinion of the governor, the position deserves respect. Disagree with policy … yes. But there is a way to express your opinions. And that was not it!” she wrote on Facebook Thursday.

The governor met briefly with some reporters in his office after the speech and fended off questions about the climate protesters, saying he didn’t hear them.

After reporters asked several times, he said, “Of course we’re very proud of our work on climate issues. We highlighted some of that in the speech.”

He added that a ban on fracking, “has never been my position.” He cited Senate Bill 181 to give local government more control over oil and gas decisions.

However, Polis was a financial backer of previous ballot measures that would have put more restrictions on oil and gas activity, including increased setbacks between oil and gas platforms and homes, schools and hospitals, for example. He was the largest contributor — at $700,000 — on a 2014 measure that never actually made it to the ballot but sought to ban fracking around hospitals and homes. He was also the largest donor, at $25,000, toward a 2016 measure on more local control over oil and gas that also failed to reach the ballot.

Colorado Politics reporter Michael Karlik contributed to this article.