Chaffee County Commissioners called federal immigration enforcement “illegal incursions” while strictly enforcing local building codes. Chaffee County Commissioner PT Wood told constituents county officials are “actively looking at how we can react to those illegal incursions.” Commissioner Dave Armstrong urged constituents to “stand up and resist.” Eagle County commissioners warned federal enforcement represents “executive power that is untethered.” The same officials told property owners they “have to comply” with building regulations or face code enforcement. Federal immigration enforcement operates under clear statutory authority enforced throughout the Obama administration. The laws haven’t changed. The administration changed.
Rachel Suh lost her preliminary injunction challenge to Colorado’s caucus system February 5. Denver District Judge Andrew P. McCallin ruled private parties’ First Amendment rights override constitutional delegation concerns. Hours later, Suh announced her candidacy for Governor. McCallin was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper in 2014 after serving as Assistant Attorney General—the same office now defending the caucus system’s constitutionality. Suh announced she will not appeal and is taking her challenge from the courtroom to the ballot box.
Evan Munsing qualified for Colorado’s CD-8 Democratic primary ballot February 5. The weakest fundraiser in the race guaranteed himself a spot while forcing better-funded rivals to choose between expensive caucus battles or collecting signatures. Shannon Bird raised $1.21 million. Manny Rutinel raised $2.53 million. Munsing raised $486,000 and holds $213,000 cash on hand. Republican incumbent Gabe Evans holds $2.6 million cash on hand. The weakest fundraiser secured his ballot position first.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold promised February 4 to prosecute federal agents. “As Attorney General, I will prosecute any ICE or federal agent that breaks the law,” she posted to LinkedIn. Griswold is Secretary of State running for Attorney General. Her LinkedIn profile identifies her as “Colorado Secretary of State.” Recent posts include December statements on DOJ voter data requests—Secretary of State authority over election records. February posts tout Attorney General campaign fundraising. The offices share no authority. Both the June primary and November general election occur while she holds office. Colorado Democrats will choose between a district attorney, a former House Speaker, two attorneys—or the candidate whose current job puts her name on official state communications until January 2027.
Senator John Hickenlooper voted against DHS funding January 30 after ICE agents left ace of spades cards in vehicles of detained immigrants in Eagle County. Family members retrieved abandoned vehicles January 21 from U.S. 6 near Minturn and found playing cards printed with “ICE Denver Field Office” and the Aurora detention center address. U.S. soldiers left identical cards on enemy bodies during Vietnam War as psychological warfare. On February 5, Hickenlooper threatened shutdown: “We forced Republicans to strip the funding. Now, the President and Republicans have EIGHT days to overhaul ICE and end their lawlessness before DHS shuts down.” Government funding expires February 15. He voted against DHS funding before demanding investigation of the ICE conduct he cited as justification.
Greeley citizens vote February 24 on whether to repeal zoning for a billion-dollar entertainment district. The city will have spent $60 million from $115 million in financing residents never voted on approving. Greeley residents submitted 8,993 signatures August 6 seeking to repeal the financing ordinance. Hearing officer Karen Goldman ruled August 31 that the City Council’s financing decision was “administrative” and couldn’t be challenged by voters, despite the council passing it legislatively. After that petition was blocked, Greeley Demands Better filed a referendum targeting zoning instead. The referendum repeals zoning, not financing. The $115 million borrowed against City Hall and police stations remains.
Representative Lauren Boebert announced January 23 that she secured $14.75 million for Colorado water and infrastructure projects. None of the 13 funded projects address the Arkansas Valley contamination crisis. Four weeks earlier, President Trump vetoed Boebert’s $1.3 billion Arkansas Valley Conduit. Trump signed targeted appropriations funding reverse osmosis plants. He rejected 100-year repayment for pipes that fail before the debt ends. Brush received $1 million to construct a reverse osmosis treatment plant treating high-TDS water for 5,339 residents. Distributed reverse osmosis costs $75 million. The vetoed pipeline would cost $1.4 billion serving the same population.
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