Colorado looks to crack down on ICE
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Colorado is preparing for politically charged debates this year on immigration at the state Capitol and the ballot box.
Why it matters: The outcomes could reshape how local law enforcement interacts with federal authorities and establish new protections against immigration enforcement.
Driving the news: Democratic leaders opened Monday's legislative session with sharp words about the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Pretti's parents live in Arvada and Good was a Colorado native.
- "We are angry, heartsick and scared," said House Speaker Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon). "Our constituents are asking us, what happens when Colorado is next?"
- In the Senate, similar remarks from Democratic lawmakers drew a rebuttal from two Republicans who questioned why Pretti had a gun.
State of play: This session, Colorado lawmakers will debate at least three bills that seek to rein in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in the state.
- A bill introduced by Democrats on the Legislature's first day would allow people injured in immigration enforcement actions to sue federal agents if they violate the U.S. Constitution.
- Two other measures planned for introduction in the coming days would further limit Gov. Jared Polis' authority to work with federal authorities and prevent most local police from wearing masks, the Denver Post reports.
The intrigue: Attorney General Phil Weiser is building on the efforts by asking people to report misconduct by federal immigration authorities, such as unlawful detentions and arrests in Colorado.
- "This new reporting form is about keeping our communities safe and reminding them that we have their back," he said in a statement.
The other side: Outside the Capitol, conservatives are pushing their own immigration agenda.
- Last week, the state certified a November ballot measure from the conservative Advance Colorado Institute that would require local law enforcement to report to federal authorities when a person in the country illegally is charged with a violent crime.
The bottom line: Immigration is emerging as a top issue in Colorado's 2026 election year.