Denver settles for $2.9M with George Floyd protesters

• Those expenses arrive as the city faces growing budget pressure.

State of play: The City Council on Monday unanimously approved payouts, ranging from $140,000 to $300,000, to the 13 people.

By the numbers: Denver has paid more than $20 million in settlements related to the George Floyd protests, city attorney's office spokesperson Melissa Sisneros said in a statement.

Context: Denver police shot protesters in the face with so-called less-lethal munitions, including pepper balls and rubber bullets, to "inflict maximum pain," the lawsuit, filed in federal court in May 2022, alleges.

• The plaintiffs alleged excessive force in multiple incidents — resulting in physical injuries in some cases — and said Denver police violated their First and Fourth Amendment rights during the protests.

What they're saying: "This was definitely police brutality," Patricia Koo, who received $275,000 in the settlement, tells us. Koo, a photographer, was struck in the thigh and groin by a pepper ball during the 2020 protests.

Between the lines: Denver police made changes to their crowd control tactics and training after the protests, including eliminating the use of certain less-lethal equipment.

Follow the money: The settlement comes from the city's claims and liability special revenue fund, which is scheduled to receive a $3 million infusion, city records show.

• The liability claims fund started the year with a $2.7 million balance.

What we're watching: Noting the cash transfer to the fund, Councilmember Shontel Lewis said Monday the way the city spends money needs "extra attention in this budget environment."