Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCaitlin Weaver, middle, and Chelsea Geier, right, who are both language arts teachers at Bear Valley International School, line up along Lincoln street to shout out support for their cause to passing motorists before a large strike rally on the west steps of the Capitol on the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostHundreds of teachers brought signs and their voices to a strike rally on the west steps of the Capitol on the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostHung Huynh, a fifth grade teacher with Denver Public Schools, joins others at a rally outside the Capitol during the first day of a strike for Denver Public School teachers on Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBeth Connelly, a teacher at Park Hill Elementary School, center, holds a protest sign as her son Kirnan, 9, rests his head on her arm during a strike rally at the west steps of the Capitol on the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMallory Moss, University Park Elementary teacher, stands in solidarity with fellow educators at the Colorado State Capitol during the Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMia Patilla stands on the west steps with fellow educators at the Capitol during the Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMonica Hunter, Green Valley Elementary teacher, stands in solidarity with fellow educators at the Capitol during the Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, February 11, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTeachers gather on the west steps at the Colorado State Capitol during the Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostMichelle Koyama, Executive Principle of Skinner and Lake Middle Schools, heads up band class at Skinner during the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostStudents head to the cafeteria at Skinner Middle School during the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostA teacher moves from table to table while teaching one of the two combined sixth grade classes in the gymnasium at Skinner Middle School during the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostA student heads to class at Skinner Middle School during the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver Public School teachers and supporters march in downtown Denver on Feb. 11, 2019. The group marched from West High School down Colfax Ave. to downtown Denver on day one of a strike for Denver Public School teachers.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostImogen Fulford, 5, an ECE student at Teller Elementary and the daughter of two East High School teachers, wears a Superman cape as educators picket during a Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostSenior Matt Pence holds a speaker over his head as it blares Public Enemy's seminal hit 'Fight the Power,' as East High School teachers picket during a Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostEast High School sophomores Waverly Reeves, left, and Annika Shassetz march with teachers during a Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostEast High School students walk out of school shortly after classes began in support of teachers during a Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostAiden Beatty, a Ralston Valley senior, stands in solidarity with East High School teachers during a Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostSpanish teacher Lauren Tauchman leads a chant as teachers picket at East High School during a Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCU Boulder graduate worker Gregor Robinson stands in solidarity with East High School teachers during a Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostAnnie Welch, 17, left, Emma Hoeschler, 17, both juniors at South High School arrive to school in the morning on Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver. The two student plan to walk out out of school later that day in support of their teachers.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostA youngster waves to educators as they picket at the Denver Discovery School during the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostDanielle Worden, a seventh and eighth grade math Interventionist, leads chants as the school's educators picket at William (Bill) Roberts Elementary School during the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostKindergarten teacher Marijke Hoogeveen keeps the picketers fired up with her bullhorn and music as they march at the Denver Discovery School and Swigert International School on the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostRob Gould, right, a special education teacher and lead negotiator for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, and Henry Roman President of Denver Classroom Association, speak during a press conference outside South High School on Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver teachers picket outside South High School during day 1 of the Denver teachers strike on Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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Caitlin Weaver, middle, and Chelsea Geier, right, who are both language arts teachers at Bear Valley International School, line up along Lincoln street to shout out support for their cause to passing motorists before a large strike rally on the west steps of the Capitol on the first day of the Denver Public Schools teachers strike on Feb. 11, 2019, in Denver.
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By RJ Sangosti | rsangosti@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, Joe Amon | The Denver Post and Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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Educators at Denver’s 160 public schools initiated the city’s first teachers strike in 25 years Monday morning, picketing outside schools before a planned rally at the Colorado State Capitol Monday afternoon. Gov. Jared Polis declined to intervene in their compensation dispute and 11th-hour contract talks with district leaders fell apart over the weekend.
See more: Denver teachers strike Day 2: Negotiations and picketing continue