News Conference: Board of County Commissioners Lawsuit Challenging Colorado Immigration Laws

Douglas County through the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, as well as the Douglas County Sheriff, today filed a lawsuit against the State of Colorado and the Governor Polis challenging two state laws: HB 19-1124, that created C.R.S §§24-76.6-101 -103, which the litigation claims: 1.) Prohibits law enforcement from assisting in non-criminal immigration; and 2.) Prohibits probation officers from giving information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and HB 23-1100, that created C.R.S §§24-76.7-101 -103, which prohibits local governments from entering an IGA with the federal government for civil immigration enforcement. The county is making four claims all based on arguments the resulting laws are unconstitutional: 1. Both HB19-1124 and HB23-1100 violate the Intergovernmental Relationships Provision of the State Constitution, which prohibits laws that prevent local governments from cooperating/contracting with the federal government 2. HB19-1124 violates the Separation of Powers Provision of the State Constitution because the legislature is directing judicial employees 3. Both HB19-1124 and HB23-1100 violate constitutional amendment publication requirements that require publication of laws being affected by a statute to prevent confusion 4. HB19-1124 is preempted by federal immigration law in violation of the US Supremacy Clause, which prohibits state laws from violating federal law