On Monday, the Trump administration announced its intent to enforce immigration laws nationwide, including in Colorado. Since December 2022, over 40,000 immigrants have arrived in Denver alone, costing Colorado taxpayers roughly $340 million.
According to the Common Sense Institute (CSI), crime rates have risen 26% in Colorado since 2011. In the Fall of 2024, U.S. News & World Report found Colorado to be the third most dangerous state in the nation. Colorado’s violent crime rate, according to the rankings, is 492 per 100,000 people.
“I have been crystal clear in my desire and need to work with all of our federal partners,” said Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) included. As Sheriff, I am responsible for holding those who commit crimes accountable, whether a U.S. citizen or undocumented. Utilizing our federal partners to identify violent offenders, human traffickers, and drug cartels and ensure they remain in custody is essential to upholding our mission of public safety.”
In early January 2024, Sheriff Roybal and Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell established a coalition to champion legislation to reverse the previous statute which banned Colorado law enforcement from working with ICE. Specifically, HB 19-1124 and HB 23-1100 limit the ability of Colorado law enforcement agencies, including the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, to collaborate with ICE (U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement) to uphold the laws of the Constitution and coordinate efforts related to the arrest, detention, and deportation of undocumented individuals.
As a result, HB 24-1128 was introduced to repeal the limitations set by both HB 19-1124 and HB 23-1100. The bill had bipartisan support from dozens of Sheriffs across Colorado.
“All I am asking for is the ability to identify and hold every person, citizen or undocumented, who victimizes another person in our community accountable for their actions. Specifically, murderers, members of drug cartels, rapists, and those who are dangerous and violent.”
Sadly, on February 22, 2024, HB 24-1128 was indefinitely suspended during a House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing.
In April 2024, Sheriff Roybal and the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners announced their intent for El Paso County to join as an official party to a lawsuit against the State of Colorado, which was originally filed by Douglas County in March of 2024, authorizing litigation against the state of Colorado to challenge the provision of two revised statutes (Colorado House Bill 19-1124, and House Bill 23-1100).
“Following the dismissal of our lawsuit in December 2024, I have been diligently working behind the scenes with my law enforcement partners and local, state, and federal elected officials to establish a clear path forward.
My priority is and has always been to uphold my duties as Sheriff and ensure the safety and well-being of the residents of El Paso County. State statutes direct me to bring peace and order to the community I serve. It should make no difference to a person’s country of origin; if they victimize a citizen, they must be held accountable. I will share further details about my plans to address this critical matter in the coming days.”