On Thursday evening, September 18, 2025, over 7,000 people gathered at Colorado State University’s Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins for a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk, organized by Turning Point USA. The event was intended to showcase Kirk’s popular debate-format forum, “prove me wrong,” which was scheduled to take place on the Colorado State University campus. Tragically, Kirk, a prominent conservative activist, was fatally shot last week while speaking at Utah Valley University during the first stop of his national American Comeback Tour.
Prior to the vigil, a group of local motorcycle riders organized a ride to commemorate Kirk’s life and legacy. Skyler Lundin, who led the gathering, expressed confidence in the safety of the candlelight vigil, particularly since it was held in a controlled stadium environment. Lundin emphasized the importance of love and respect in the face of tragedy, stating, “The way I see it, how I was raised, my parents raised me a hippie and it's love.”
Erin Grieger, a Fort Collins resident who participated in the motorcycle ride, shared her feelings about Kirk’s death. Although she didn’t closely follow his work or agree with all his views, she felt compelled to honor his commitment to free speech, stating, “I think it's important to promote free speech, especially after the hate that followed.” Grieger praised Kirk’s compassion and his ability to engage in difficult conversations across the political spectrum.
The vigil commenced around 5:40 p.m., with officials reporting attendance of over 7,400 individuals. Among the scheduled speakers were former Republican gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl, CSU alum and conservative activist Isabel Brown, conservative speaker and author Will Witt, and Christian minister Andrew Wommack. Ganahl reflected on her relationship with Kirk, recalling their shared efforts to foster open debate on college campuses across Colorado.
In conjunction with the vigil, additional events organized by students and community members included an open forum at the Lory Student Center Ballroom, hosted by the CSU chapter of Political Review, a bipartisan student organization. Co-president Victoria Doscotch emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for hard conversations, stating, “Without them, we can't make change and progress.”
The debate at the Lory Student Center began at 7 p.m., immediately following the vigil, as part of the “Unf America Tour,” with the motto “For free speech. Against political violence.” The group, which positions itself as a counter-organization to Turning Point USA, encouraged attendees to engage in discussions on various issues, with many waiting in line to debate.
In preparation for the events, CSU spokesperson Tiana Kennedy announced that the university collaborated with local and national law enforcement to ensure safety. Security measures included a clear-bag policy and the use of magnetometers at facility entrances. Kennedy noted that the university was facilitating secure venues but was not organizing the events themselves.
Prior to Kirk’s assassination, the Young Democrats at CSU had publicly condemned his scheduled visit. Some students expressed concerns for their safety on campus, while others articulated their reasons for attending the vigil. Recent CSU graduate Nico Marchillo acknowledged the divisive nature of such events but hoped for unity in the Republican Party, emphasizing the need for non-violent discourse.
Angel Younghanz, a Fort Collins resident, spoke about the importance of free speech on college campuses and expressed her hope that Kirk’s messages would continue to resonate. “I just really hope that Charlie's messages don't die with him,” she said. Kaylene Miknevicius attended the vigil with her daughters, holding signs that advocated for free speech as a means to prevent violence.
Among the attendees, Brooke Voekler and Sahara Bradley, both freshmen in the animal sciences program, reflected on the human tragedy of Kirk’s death, emphasizing the need to mourn regardless of political affiliation. “A death is a death, and no matter what you think or believe, he was a human,” Bradley stated.
The vigil attracted over 2,500 viewers via an online stream hosted by Turning Point USA, with many offering condolences and positive messages in the comments. Will Witt, a conservative media personality, addressed the crowd, urging attendees to honor Kirk’s legacy by living with faith, courage, and hope. “How do we best take our vengeance for these people who hate us? We do it through the way we live,” he urged.
Isabel Brown, who worked closely with Kirk, mourned the loss of a leader who inspired many conservative students. “We didn’t just lose someone that we admired. We lost the intellectual and moral leader of an entire generation,” she said, echoing the sentiments of thousands gathered to honor a man whose impact resonated deeply across the political spectrum.
