Colorado attorney general prepares plans to block Trump

Phil Weiser is preparing a legal blitz to block President Trump's actions from hurting Colorado, the attorney general tells us in an exclusive interview.

Why it matters: The state's top prosecutor is the front line in the blue-state resistance, joining efforts from the governor and state lawmakers to protect the state's status quo from power-holding Republicans in the nation's capital.

Driving the news: On Trump's first full day in office, Weiser and other Democratic attorneys general sued the administration to challenge an executive order that attempts to ban birthright citizenship.

• And that's just the start. Weiser tells us he's prepared to file lawsuits against Trump on a half-dozen fronts, from environmental protections and abortion medication to immigration status and deportations.

Between the lines: The effort comes as Weiser campaigns for governor ahead of the 2026 election.

What he's saying: "We've been down this road before," he said, referring to his office's litigation during Trump's first presidency.

By the numbers: The litigation will cost Colorado taxpayers.

• In a tight budget year, the attorney general is requesting $638,000 in additional discretionary funds for three new attorneys to "support the state in leading anticipated litigation efforts challenging unlawful federal government actions."

Zoom in: In an interview, Weiser cited red lines where he would challenge the Trump administration:

• Any action that infringes on the state's protections for land, air or water, such as tougher car emission standards and methane caps on the oil and gas industry.
• He's also eager to defend access to mifepristone, the medication used in two-thirds of the state's abortions.

The intrigue: Immigration is another front he's looking to defend. He supports the deportation of violent criminals once they've served their sentences. "That's how our laws currently work, and I believe in enforcing those laws," he said.

Yes, but: Weiser has crafted a nuanced position on the issue, saying "productive members of our society," those seeking asylum and relatives of people who are U.S. citizens should not be targeted for deportation.

• He also wants to protect those with authorization under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

He blamed Trump for making people fearful to go to school, get necessary health care or report crimes.

• "I don't want us to live in a climate of fear," he said. "I want us to live in an environment where we welcome everybody and we work hard to make sure that we're being smart about how we manage immigration, we're treating people fairly, and of course, we need to secure the border."