Colorado District 1 GOP Condemns Senate Bill 25-276 as a Dangerous Step Toward Total Sanctuary State Status
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2025
DENVER, CO – The Colorado District 1 Republican Party strongly opposes Senate Bill 25-276, a measure being heard today, April 8, 2025, in the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee, which seeks to codify and expand Colorado’s sanctuary status laws. The bill, scheduled for public testimony with only a day’s notice, tightens a decade of Democratic policies that shield illegal immigrants—including convicted criminals—from accountability, further eroding public safety and federal cooperation in Denver and across the state.
SB 25-276 builds on prior legislation like HB 19-1124, which Democrats, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis, have claimed is not a sanctuary bill, by entrenching protections that hinder law enforcement and probation officers from working with federal immigration authorities. The bill prohibits peace officers—now including all state-designated officers—from detaining individuals based on civil immigration detainer requests. It also bars pretrial officers from sharing personal information with ICE and prohibits detention facility staff from granting federal immigration authorities access to non-public areas without a federal warrant. Additionally, it allows guilty pleas for certain misdemeanors to be vacated, reducing consequences for criminal illegal aliens.
This bill is a reckless escalation of Colorado’s sanctuary policies, prioritizing the protection of criminal illegal aliens over the safety of our citizens. By voting on this extreme bill with almost no notice to the public, Democrats are silencing opposition. At the same time, pro-illegal immigration advocates flood the hearing—conveniently available to testify in person. The rushed process reeks of political manipulation and undermines the will of Coloradans who demand to be heard.
The Colorado District 1 GOP is alarmed by the lack of transparency and the bill’s implications. With Denver already strained by immigration-related costs and rising crime, SB 25-276 threatens to exacerbate these challenges by further handcuffing law enforcement and shielding offenders from federal accountability. The bill’s hearing, scheduled with minimal public notice, raises questions about fairness and access to the legislative process.
We call on the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee to reject SB 25-276 and demand a thorough, open debate that includes all Coloradans—not just a select few. The Colorado District 1 GOP stands firm in its commitment to public safety, border security, and the rule of law, urging lawmakers to prioritize the needs of Colorado residents over political agendas that endanger our communities.
About the Colorado District 1 GOP
The Colorado District 1 Republican Party promotes responsible governance, public safety, and economic opportunity for all Denver residents. We advocate for policies that uphold the law, protect taxpayers, and ensure a thriving future for Colorado.
