The district attorney this week dropped charges against a Thornton man accused of violating a protection order that required him to stay clear of Mayor Jan Kulmann.

The motion to dismiss from the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s office said the prosecution “is unable to prove the elements of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.”

Dariush Namazi, 29, was arrested July 27 for allegedly violating the order while at a city ice cream social Kulmann was also attending. 

Namazi claims to be the mayor’s political ally, but has testified that his actions are actually a protest against the mayor. He began appearing at events Kulmann also attended in spring 2023, wearing a bright red MAGA hat and carrying signs that said “Keep Thornton Straight, vote Jan K.” Namazi, who calls his MAGA character “Danny Kulmann,” says he feels Kulmann is a far-right Republican who won’t admit to being one.

Kulmann, elected Thornton’s mayor in 2019 and up for re-election this fall, is a registered Republican who made an unsuccessful run for the U.S. House in 2022. She is senior director of Xcel Energy’s compliance program development.

Kulmann requested a permanent protection order against Namazi in July, and an Adams County magistrate granted it. 

Namazi has claimed Kulmann “made many threats and tried to intimidate me many times.” Video from the July 27 social shows Kulmann walking toward Namazi while he backs away.