Colorado’s approach to immigration enforcement has changed significantly in 2025, creating new rules and responsibilities for state agencies, local governments, schools, hospitals, and immigrant communities. While Colorado has some of the strongest state laws in the country limiting cooperation with federal immigration agents, recent events show that the situation remains complicated. This update explains what has changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and what these changes mean for people and organizations across the state.
Summary of What Changed
In May 2025, Colorado passed Senate Bill 25-276 (SB 276), a new law that expands protections for immigrants and sets stricter limits on how state and local agencies can work with federal immigration agents. This law was created after reports showed that, despite earlier laws, some Colorado agencies still shared information with federal authorities like ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and Homeland Security. The new law responds to both increased federal immigration enforcement under President Trump’s second term and concerns from immigrant communities and advocacy groups.
Key Changes Under SB 25-276:
- Stricter Limits on Information Sharing: State and local agencies, including schools, hospitals, and courts, cannot share personal information with immigration agents unless there is a valid warrant.
- Wider Scope: The law now covers not just police and sheriff’s offices, but also local governments, the courts, and legislative offices.
- Protection of Sensitive Locations: ICE cannot enter private areas of schools, hospitals, or child care centers without a warrant.
- Clear Policies and Record-Keeping: Public schools, colleges, and other public institutions must have clear written policies limiting federal access and must keep records of all third-party information requests.
- Annual Reporting: These institutions must report annually to the governor and attorney general about any requests for information from outside agencies.
- Civil Penalties: Agencies or officials who break the law face a $50,000 fine for each violation, with the money going to the state’s Immigration Legal Defense Fund.
- Reduced Exposure for Immigrants: The law removes the requirement for undocumented residents to submit affidavits about their legal status when applying for in-state tuition or state identification.
Who Is Affected
The new law affects a wide range of people and organizations in Colorado:
- State and Local Government Employees: Police, sheriffs, court staff, and other public employees must follow the new rules about information sharing and access.
- Schools and Hospitals: Staff at public schools, colleges, hospitals, and child care centers must be trained on the new protocols and keep careful records.
- Immigrant Communities: Immigrants and their families are directly affected, as the law aims to protect their privacy and limit exposure to federal immigration enforcement.
- Local Governments: Counties and cities must decide whether to comply with the new law or risk state penalties if they cooperate with federal immigration agents.
- Federal Immigration Agents: ICE and Homeland Security face new barriers when seeking information or access in Colorado.
Effective Dates
- SB 25-276 became law on May 24, 2025. All state and local agencies, as well as public institutions, must comply with its requirements from this date forward.
- Annual reporting requirements for schools and public institutions begin with the 2025-2026 academic year.
- Civil penalties for violations apply immediately, and agencies found to have broken the law after May 24, 2025, can be fined.
Required Actions
For State and Local Agencies:
- Do not share personal information with immigration agents unless they present a valid judicial warrant.
- Update internal policies to reflect the new law and train all staff on the new requirements.
- Keep detailed records of all requests for information from federal agencies or other third parties.
- Prepare for audits or investigations by the state attorney general or other oversight bodies.
For Schools, Colleges, and Hospitals:
- Develop and publish clear policies limiting federal access to student, patient, or client information.
- Train all staff on how to respond to requests from immigration agents and what to do if agents arrive without a warrant.
- Maintain records of all third-party information requests and report annually to the governor and attorney general.
For Immigrants and Their Families:
- Know your rights: You do not have to answer questions from immigration agents or allow them into private areas without a warrant.
- Seek legal help if you are approached by federal agents or if you believe your information has been shared improperly.
- Report violations to immigrant advocacy groups or the Colorado Attorney General’s office.
For Local Governments:
- Review and update local policies to ensure compliance with SB 25-276.
- Be aware of penalties: Violating the law can result in a $50,000 fine for each incident.
- Communicate with residents about their rights and the protections provided by state law.
Implications for Pending Applications
If you have a pending immigration application or are applying for state benefits, tuition, or identification:
- You are no longer required to submit an affidavit about your legal status for in-state tuition or state ID. This reduces the risk of your information being shared with immigration agents.
- If you are involved in a court case or have contact with law enforcement, your personal information should not be shared with ICE unless there is a valid warrant.
- If you are a student or parent, your school must protect your information and cannot allow ICE access to private areas without a warrant.
If you believe your information has been shared with immigration agents in violation of state law, you should contact a legal aid organization or the Colorado Attorney General’s office for help.
Recent Incidents and Ongoing Challenges
Despite these strong state laws, reports in 2025 show that some Colorado agencies have still shared information with immigration agents. This has happened especially in rural and mountain communities, where federal enforcement has increased under President Trump’s second term. Some conservative counties, such as Garfield, Moffat, and Mesa, have passed resolutions rejecting “sanctuary” policies and signaling a willingness to cooperate with ICE. This creates a patchwork of enforcement across the state, with some areas following state law closely and others resisting.
A high-profile example occurred in June 2025, when the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office refused ICE’s request to hold an inmate without a judicial warrant, citing state law. ICE publicly criticized this decision, showing the ongoing tension between state and federal authorities.
The Trump administration has also tried to pressure Colorado by threatening to withhold federal transportation funds unless the state cooperates with immigration enforcement. However, a federal judge recently ruled that the administration cannot require Colorado to help with immigration enforcement as a condition for receiving these funds, at least while the court case continues.
Stakeholder Perspectives
- Governor Jared Polis and Democratic legislators have strongly supported the new law, saying it is needed to protect constitutional rights and keep vulnerable communities safe.
- Immigrant advocacy groups, such as Voces Unidas, have praised the law but warn that continued vigilance is needed. They say enforcement and accountability are key to making sure the law works as intended.
- Some local governments in conservative areas remain opposed to the restrictions and may look for ways to cooperate with federal authorities, even if it means risking state penalties.
- ICE and federal authorities continue to assert their right to enforce federal immigration laws, sometimes in direct conflict with state and local policies.
Procedural Details and Compliance
For State and Local Agencies:
- Require a valid warrant before sharing any personal data with ICE or Homeland Security.
- Keep records of all information requests from federal agencies.
- Implement written policies that restrict federal access to sensitive locations, such as schools and hospitals.
- Train staff on how to respond to requests from immigration agents and what to do if agents arrive without a warrant.
For Schools and Hospitals:
- Train all staff on the new protocols and data privacy requirements.
- Prepare for audits or investigations related to information sharing.
- Maintain records of all third-party information requests and report annually to the governor and attorney general.
For Individuals:
- Know your rights: You do not have to answer questions from immigration agents or allow them into private areas without a warrant.
- Seek legal help if you are approached by federal agents or if you believe your information has been shared improperly.
- Report violations to immigrant advocacy groups or the Colorado Attorney General’s office.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
Colorado has been moving toward stronger protections for immigrants since 2019. Major laws in 2021 and 2023 already limited cooperation with ICE, but the 2025 law is the most comprehensive yet. This reflects both local political will and the national debate over immigration, which has become more polarized in recent years.
Advocates expect that legal and political battles will continue, especially if federal authorities keep pressuring states or if some local governments resist the new rules. It is likely that there will be more changes in the future as lawmakers respond to new challenges and court decisions.
Contact and Resources
For official guidance and more information:
- Colorado General Assembly’s website provides the full text of SB 25-276 and updates on state laws: Colorado General Assembly – SB 25-276
- Colorado Attorney General’s office offers resources for reporting violations and seeking legal help.
- Immigrant advocacy organizations, such as Voces Unidas, can provide support and information for affected individuals and families.
Key Takeaways and Immediate Next Steps
- Colorado has some of the strongest state laws in the country limiting cooperation with immigration agents, but challenges remain.
- SB 25-276, effective May 2025, sets strict new rules for information sharing and imposes heavy penalties for violations.
- All state and local agencies, schools, and hospitals must update their policies, train staff, and keep careful records to comply with the law.
- Immigrants and their families should know their rights, seek legal help if needed, and report any suspected violations.
- Local governments must decide whether to comply with state law or risk penalties by cooperating with federal authorities.
- Ongoing legal battles and political debates are likely, so staying informed and connected to trusted resources is important.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, Colorado’s new law represents a major step in protecting immigrant communities, but real-world enforcement will depend on continued vigilance by state officials, advocacy groups, and the public. Anyone affected by these changes should review the official guidance, update their policies or personal plans, and seek help if they have questions or concerns.
For more details on the law and official updates, visit the Colorado General Assembly’s SB 25-276 page.
By staying informed and taking the right steps, individuals and organizations in Colorado can better protect themselves and their communities in this changing immigration landscape.
Learn Today
SB 25-276 → Colorado’s 2025 law restricting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement without valid warrants.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency enforcing immigration laws in the U.S.
Judicial warrant → A legal document issued by a judge, authorizing specific search or data access.
Civil penalties → Monetary fines imposed on agencies violating legal restrictions for unauthorized information sharing.
Immigration Legal Defense Fund → A state fund supporting legal aid for immigrants facing immigration enforcement challenges.
This Article in a Nutshell
Colorado’s 2025 SB 25-276 law strengthens immigrant protections by restricting state cooperation with federal immigration agents, enforcing stricter data-sharing limits and penalties, and safeguarding sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and courts from unauthorized federal access under warrant requirements.
— By VisaVerge.com
