Over the weekend, Charlie’s Denver, a bar located on East Colfax, hosted a turtle racing event that quickly became the subject of controversy. Patrons at the bar participated in the event by selecting small turtles and using spray bottles to encourage them towards a finish line. The event was intended as a fundraiser for the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association.

Backlash and Response

Videos of the event circulated on social media, prompting backlash from animal welfare advocates who raised concerns about the treatment of the turtles. Community activist Bloom Novak criticized the event online, calling for Charlie’s to cease such activities. The post gained significant traction, with thousands of likes and shares on platforms like Instagram and Reddit.

In response to the criticism, Charlie’s issued a statement clarifying that the event was organized by an outside nonprofit and not an official bar event. The bar assured the public that the turtles were privately owned and farm-raised, and were safely returned to their owner after the event. Charlie’s also confirmed that they would not host similar events in the future.

Legal and Community Reactions

Denver city officials stated that no permits were required for the event since it was organized by an external group. Denver Animal Protection investigated the complaints and found no evidence of illegal mistreatment. However, Lieutenant Josh Rolfe of Denver Animal Protection noted that public opinion strongly disapproved of the event, despite its legality.

Federal law prohibits the sale of turtles with shells smaller than four inches, but investigators found no evidence of sales occurring at the event. The incident highlights the importance of community standards and animal welfare considerations in public events.

Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.