SB 25-276 - Rocky Mountain Voice

Polis open to signing bill restricting local ICE cooperation as Colorado sanctuary debate heats up

Colorado Politics, Approved, State / May 15, 2025 / 75th Colorado Legislature, Ann Arbor Police, Governor Jared Polis, Illegal Immigration, Law Enforcement, Public safety, Sanctuary Policies, Sanctuary state, SB 25-276

Gov. Jared Polis said that while he had “major problems” with an earlier proposal that sought to inoculate immigrants from federal policies, the bill now includes “workable language,” thereby signaling his intent to sign it.

The governor reiterated he is still reviewing the proposal, which underwent several changes before its final passage during the 2025 legislative session.

At its core, Senate Bill 276 reemphasized existing state law that precludes local law enforcers from detaining an individual based on an “immigration detainer.” An immigration “detainer” is a notice issued to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies informing the latter that agents intend to assume custody of an individual no longer subject to the former’s detention.

Polis open to signing bill restricting local ICE cooperation as Colorado sanctuary debate heats up Read More »

Brauchler: SB25-276 is lawmakers’ latest mockery of immigration enforcement

SB 25-276 is a Democrat-only sponsored bill that attacks the rule of law and will make Colorado less safe and less just.

It contains a predictably steep, yet unquantified, unfunded mandate to counties, who fund the 23 district attorneys’ offices across Colorado. SB 276 expands the opportunity for “noncitizen defendants” to challenge every guilty plea they have entered to every class of misdemeanor, petty offense, and even municipal charges,” at any time following the entry of a guilty plea.” There is no time limitation for this challenge.