Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Public safety

Denver Mayor Orders Police To Intervene In ICE Operations If Force Deemed Excessive
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

Denver Mayor Orders Police To Intervene In ICE Operations If Force Deemed Excessive

By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on Thursday outlined his city’s response to immigration enforcement operations, including intervening to stop federal officers when local police observe them using “excessive” force. Johnston also said the city will not allow federal authorities to “stand in our way” in situations where emergency responders must render first aid, presumably in cases where someone, such as a civilian, gets hurt in an immigration operation. The mayor’s move is the latest in a string of proposals from Democrats, who have begun to position the state and jurisdictions they dominate in a more confrontational stance. The attorney general, for example, wants residents to report alleged misconduct by federal agents via an online...
Colorado Democrats Push Measure Targeting ICE Use of Vehicle Tracking Systems
Complete Colorado, Approved, State

Colorado Democrats Push Measure Targeting ICE Use of Vehicle Tracking Systems

By Savana Kascak | Complete Colorado DENVER–A bill imposing new restrictions on police access to vehicle location surveillance data cleared a Colorado Senate committee on Monday, with one Democrat sponsor making no bones that the legislation is in significant part aimed at federal immigration enforcement. Senate Bill 26-070 bans law enforcement agencies from accessing databases containing historical vehicle locations without first obtaining a warrant. The bill also prohibits any sharing of data with third parties, including via Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests. Such databases include those used by companies like Flock Safety, Motorola, and Axon, which utilize cameras, license plate readers, and cellular networks in public intersections to assist police in...
Bill Opening Door To Lawsuits Against Immigration Officials Clears Colorado Senate
kdvr.com, Approved, State

Bill Opening Door To Lawsuits Against Immigration Officials Clears Colorado Senate

By Jacob Factor | KDVR DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado bill that would open the door for lawsuits against immigration officials who injure people in the state passed the Colorado Senate Tuesday morning, moving one step closer to becoming law. Senate Bill 26-005, “Rights Violation in Immigration Enforcement Remedy,” states that it is meant to protect Coloradans constitutional rights during civil immigration enforcement. The bill comes amid heavily scrutinized federal immigration operations throughout the U.S., including a recently ended crackdown in Minnesota in which immigration officials killed two American citizens and injured more. SB26-005 creates a cause of action for people injured during civil immigration enforcement actions “by another person who, whether ...
Colorado Lawmakers Clash Over Bill To Decriminalize Prostitution
The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

Colorado Lawmakers Clash Over Bill To Decriminalize Prostitution

By Marissa Ventrelli | The Denver Gazette Battle lines have begun to form at the Colorado state Capitol, where legislators are preparing to tackle a proposal to decriminalize prostitution statewide. Proponents said the proposal — which would eliminate the offense of soliciting for prostitution and the prohibition against patronizing a prostitute, as well as preclude local ordinances from banning “commercial sexual activity” — would result in safer and healthier outcomes for sex workers. Opponents said it would exacerbate human trafficking in Colorado, with one critic warning the legislation could lead to the state becoming a “mecca” for sex trafficking. Battle lines have begun to form at the Colorado state Capitol, where legislators are preparing to tackle a pro...
Colorado Bill To Decriminalize Prostitution Sparks Sharp Debate At Capitol
kdvr.com, Approved, State

Colorado Bill To Decriminalize Prostitution Sparks Sharp Debate At Capitol

By Anna Coon | KDVR DENVER (KDVR) — A bill that would decriminalize prostitution in Colorado is drawing sharply divided reactions from lawmakers and advocacy groups. Supporters argue the measure would improve safety, while opponents warn of broader social consequences. The proposal, introduced by four Democratic lawmakers, would remove criminal penalties for adults who buy or sell consensual commercial sex. It would also prohibit local governments from banning consensual commercial sexual activity. The policy is also backed by the ACLU, and if passed, Colorado would become the first state to fully decriminalize prostitution. Supporters say the legislation would reduce violence against sex workers, curb human trafficking and slow the spread of disease by allowing...
Denver Mayor Johnston Claims Sanctuary Policies Boost Safety As Federal Lawsuits Advance
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

Denver Mayor Johnston Claims Sanctuary Policies Boost Safety As Federal Lawsuits Advance

By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette Denver has joined some 140 cities, counties and elected officials in filing two amicus briefs backing Minnesota and Rochester, New York — jurisdictions sued by the Trump administration’s over their “sanctuary” policies. In a statement, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston characterized the White House’s actions as “defunding” and “punishing” America’s “sanctuary cities.” The Trump administration, meanwhile, said sanctuary jurisdictions have stood in the way of enforcing immigration laws. Johnston’s office described Minnesota and Rochester as “cities that, like Denver, are fighting back against the White House’s baseless attempts to rewrite local and state law in violation of the U.S. Constitution.” An amicus brief – or friend...
Colorado Human Trafficking Cases Reach Alarming High In 2025
Just The News, Approved, State

Colorado Human Trafficking Cases Reach Alarming High In 2025

By Derek Draplin | Just the News The analysis by Common Sense Institute Colorado uses data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. But the institute said the state’s data is undercounted due to data-entry lag, noting 2025 human trafficking numbers could end up exceeding record levels from 2023. Colorado saw “peak levels” for human trafficking in 2025 even without complete data for the year, a new analysis warns. The analysis by Common Sense Institute Colorado uses data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. But the institute said the state’s data is undercounted due to data-entry lag, noting 2025 human trafficking numbers could end up exceeding record levels from 2023. ...
Newly Released Watergate Files Show Nixon Faced Espionage From Within His Own Government
New York Times, Approved, Commentary, National

Newly Released Watergate Files Show Nixon Faced Espionage From Within His Own Government

By James Rosen | Commentary, The New York Times On July 1, 1975, under gray skies, two Watergate prosecutors arrived in the office of the White House counsel. Also present was the deputy national security adviser, Air Force Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft. They were gathered for a burial. The intended object was a 297-page transcript created the previous week, when eight members of the Watergate Special Prosecution Force, joined by a stenographer and two members of a federal grand jury, among others, interrogated Richard Nixon under oath near his home in San Clemente, Calif. Over two days, the ex-president’s grand jury testimony consumed 11 hours. Then came an interview by the prosecutors, undisclosed until now, that lasted an additional two. President Gerald Ford had pardone...
Trump Immigration Operation Sets Precedent In Sanctuary Minnesota
Junto, Approved, Commentary, National

Trump Immigration Operation Sets Precedent In Sanctuary Minnesota

By Julio Rosas | Junto Border Czar Tom Homan announced on Thursday that Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota is officially coming to an end. Homan explained the conditions on the ground, particularly in the Twin Cities, have met the criteria to no longer need thousands of extra Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents. Many Democrats and leftists are declaring victory. Blackpillers are claiming Trump caved. Both are wrong. What happened in Minnesota over the past six weeks was not primarily a law enforcement operation. It was a political one and it worked. Since day one of the second Trump administration, Homan has stated that if the Department of Homeland Security was not going to be supported in sanctuary cities, then extra personnel a...
Colorado Democrats Push To Legalize Prostitution Statewide By July
The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

Colorado Democrats Push To Legalize Prostitution Statewide By July

By The Denver Gazette | The Denver Gazette A group of Democrats is seeking to legalize prostitution in Colorado, arguing that current penalties “endanger” consenting adults. The proposal, if enacted, would decriminalize prostitution statewide and preempt local ordinances that ban it. If signed into law, it will take effect this July, making Colorado one of two states to legalize prostitution. The other state is Nevada. The bill would maintain the felony classification for pimping, though it would eliminate the word “prostitution” in the state laws and change it to “commercial sexual activity.” The bill — sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Nick Hinrichsen, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter and Reps. Lorena Garcia and Rebekah Stewart — said repealing pro...