In a move to bolster safeguards for undocumented immigrants, Colorado Senate Democrats passed Senate Bill 25-276 on Monday, aiming to counter the Trump administration’s intensified deportation policies.
The legislation introduces new restrictions on federal immigration enforcement within the state and strengthens existing protections for noncitizens.
Expanding Protections for Noncitizens
The bill, which passed with a 22-13 vote, largely along party lines, imposes limits on where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents can operate and restricts local governments from sharing personal information with federal immigration authorities.
It also streamlines the process for noncitizens to vacate guilty pleas to misdemeanor charges, potentially easing their path to legal status.
One Democrat, state Senator Kyle Mullica, sided with Republicans in opposition, citing the need for more time to review amendments, according to the Colorado Newsline.
SB 276 builds on Colorado’s existing laws, which already prohibit state agencies from sharing non-public personal data, such as birthdays or immigration status, with ICE.
The new measure extends these restrictions to local governments and designates public spaces like schools, hospitals, libraries, and child-care centers as off-limits for ICE access to non-public areas without a warrant.
Supporters argue this protects vulnerable communities, while critics note that judicial warrants are not typically issued for administrative immigration proceedings.
Supporters and Critics Weigh In
Democratic lawmakers and immigrant advocates hailed the bill as a necessary response to federal policies.
“We’re in unprecedented times where people are being unjustly targeted, incarcerated, removed, and deported, and we sit in a position where we might be able to push back and help out,” said state Senator Jessie Danielson, a Democrat, as reported by the Colorado Newsline.
Republicans, however, argue the bill oversteps state authority and hampers federal immigration enforcement.
“The bill restricts cooperation between state, local entities and federal immigration authorities, potentially obstructing that of which is the province of the federal government — immigration laws,” said Republican Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, according to the Newsline.
Next Steps and Broader Context
Sponsored by Democratic Senators Julie Gonzales and Mike Weissman, and Representatives Elizabeth Velasco and Lorena Garcia, the bill now heads to the state House as the legislative session nears its close.
The measure is one of several progressive initiatives pursued by Colorado Democrats this year, including proposals to fund abortions for low-income women, address parental conduct in custody disputes involving transgender children, and mandate climate change warnings at gas stations.
The debate over SB 276 reflects broader tensions between state and federal authority on immigration policy, with both sides framing their positions as critical to their respective visions of justice and governance.
