Emails show Able Shepherd organized PrideFest protest, despite denial

After the tactical training group Able Shepherd drew criticism over a protest that disrupted Douglas County PrideFest on Aug. 26, Able Shepherd’s operations manager posted a statement on social media denying the organization’s involvement — but emails obtained by Colorado Community Media show the group organized the protest, including instructions such as talking points, what time to arrive and coordinating matching T-shirts.

Screenshots of the emails and statement can be seen by clicking through the images attached to this story.

The PrideFest protest included roughly 75 men who delayed the scheduled drag show at the Douglas County Fairgrounds by blocking the stage in matching shirts reading “Stand to Protect Children.” 

Able Shepherd CEO Jimmy Graham and several other Able Shepherd staff members coordinated and participated in the protest on Aug. 26. Graham wore a black shirt with an Able Shepherd logo over his protest shirt. 

An Aug. 30 statement from Able Shepherd Operations Manager Melissa Papulias said Graham and others were there in their capacities as individuals, not on behalf of Able Shepherd.

“Mr. Graham and others within the community chose to attend this event as concerned citizens upon hearing from Douglas County Commissioners that past events hosted by Castle Rock Pride did not portray ‘family friendly’ events as advertised, but were overtly sexual in nature,” Papulias said.

Papulias also attended PrideFest and filmed the protest. 

Before PrideFest, Able Shepherd sent at least two emails to its members organizing the protest, as well as enlisting commenters for the Aug. 15 Castle Rock Town Council meeting and advertising a training two days before PrideFest at a private ranch. 

At least one of the emails organizing the protest and the statement denying Able Shepherd’s involvement came from Papulias.  

“We need our community to know that we will no longer move aside and let our children be traumatized and abused by those pushing a perverse agenda,” an organizing email sent by Papulias said.

The RSVP for the training, which says it was organized by Papulias, instructs people on how to get tickets for PrideFest and encourages people to “take a stand, be bold and protect our kids.”

Colorado Community Media reached out to Papulias about Able Shepherd’s statement and involvement in PrideFest and has not heard back. 

In response to the organization’s presence at PrideFest, 9News reported that Able Shepherd would not be participating in the 2023 Safety in Faith Summit with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 31. Colorado Community Media has reached out to the sheriff’s office for more information.

A spokesperson for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Cocha Heyden, said the office doesn’t have a relationship with Able Shepherd, adding that a recent training the two organizations did together was an effort to ensure community safety. 

Heyden said the sheriff’s office believes in working with businesses and the faith community on responding to active threat situations. The sheriff's office does not have any trainings or events planned with Able Shepherd in the future. 

“We want to make sure that those in churches or other businesses know how law enforcement is going to respond in a major event, such as an active shooter,” Heyden said. “As far as going forward, I’m not sure I can speculate on (working with Able Shepherd) other than it’s super important for us to make sure the business community has our support in these type of responses.”

No summons or arrests occurred at PrideFest and protesters were allowed to stay at the event so long as they weren’t blocking the show. 

Editor's Note: This story was updated when the Douglas County Sheriff's Office added to its original comments.