Legislation to Protect Civil Rights and Colorado’s Immigrant Communities Passes Senate

SB25-276 seeks to strengthen existing data privacy and constitutional protections guaranteed to all Coloradans

DENVER, CO – Legislation to protect civil rights and Colorado’s immigrant communities passed the Senate today.

Sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, SB25-276 would strengthen existing data privacy protections and constitutional protections for immigrants at public locations, and prohibit local law enforcement from executing federal immigration detainer requests without a judicial warrant.

“The Constitution protects us all. We are living in a moment that invites us to reaffirm whether or not we still believe this to be true,” Gonzales said. “We know that Colorado thrives when everyone, regardless of immigration status, can live, work, and contribute without fear. Senate Bill 276 will strengthen Colorado by expanding policies around personal data privacy, schools, child care, and health care facilities, and it will ensure fair treatment under the law for all Coloradans – regardless of immigration status. It creates clarity amidst the chaos, confusion, and uncertainty that our communities are facing. It is of this moment, it is for this moment, and I am honored to bring forward this legislation on behalf of community.”

“The district that I represent is the most diverse district in Colorado and ground zero for Donald Trump's campaign of fear-mongering and division. As such, this administration’s attacks on civil liberties hit very close to home,” Weissman said. “SB276 strengthens Colorado’s existing data privacy protections and reaffirms our constitutional protections to create consistent and trustworthy government policies that will protect all Coloradans. If we don’t take action now, we risk letting the Trump Administration run roughshod over the progress toward legal data privacy protections we’ve made in Colorado and we risk letting fear take over immigrant communities throughout our state. We won’t let that happen.”

SB25-276 would build on existing data privacy law by prohibiting local governments from sharing personally-identifying information collected by state agencies with federal immigration enforcement. To further deter data collection by federal enforcement agencies, the bill would also repeal outdated affidavit requirements to access a Colorado driver’s license or in-state tuition.

The bill would strengthen constitutional protections for immigrants at public locations like hospitals, schools, public institutions of higher education, public health care facilities, libraries, and child care centers by requiring those locations to establish policies for the specific consideration of immigration enforcement actions.

SB25-276 would prohibit the delay or denial of an individual’s release from custody based on a civil immigration detainer or for the purpose of immigration enforcement. It would also reaffirm longstanding law that the continued detention of an individual after bond is posted and processed is considered an unconstitutional and warrantless arrest. 

Finally, the bill would ensure that local and state resources are not commandeered and utilized by federal immigration enforcement except where explicitly required by law.

SB25-276 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.