ICE Plans Six New Immigrant Detention Centers in Colorado

Federal immigration authorities are moving to add six new immigrant detention centers in Colorado, a plan that has sparked heated debate among lawmakers, community advocates, and private prison companies. As of July 24, 2025, ICE is pushing forward with this expansion after Congress approved a record $45 billion for detention infrastructure, aiming to house over 100,000 people daily across the United States 🇺🇸.

This expansion comes at a time of increased enforcement and shifting political priorities. The move has drawn strong reactions from all sides, with supporters pointing to the need for more capacity and critics warning of human rights abuses and lack of transparency. The following report breaks down the latest developments, key players, and what this means for immigrants, families, and communities in Colorado.

Congress Approves Massive Funding for ICE Detention

In July 2025, Congress passed what many call the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” allocating $45 billion for ICE’s detention system. This is a 265% increase from previous years and is designed to support the daily detention of up to 116,000 people. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this surge in funding marks the largest single-year increase in the history of ICE’s detention program.

The new funding allows ICE to look for new sites and expand existing ones, with Colorado identified as a key state for this growth. Documents released after a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit by the ACLU and ACLU of Colorado show that six privately owned sites in Colorado are under active consideration.

Six Proposed Immigrant Detention Centers in Colorado

The six sites ICE is considering are all privately owned and have not been used for years. The proposed locations and their details are:

• Huerfano County Correctional Center (Walsenburg): Owned by CoreCivic, closed since 2010, with a capacity of 752 beds.
• Cheyenne Mountain Center (Colorado Springs): Owned by GEO Group, closed since March 2020, with a proposed expansion to 700 beds.
• Hudson Correctional Facility (Hudson): Owned by Highlands REIT, closed since 2014.
• Baptiste Migrant Detention Facility (La Junta): Owned by Baptiste Group, formerly a boys’ ranch, last used in 2023.
• Colorado Springs Migrant Detention Facility (Colorado Springs): Owned by Baptiste Group, formerly a skilled nursing facility.
• Soft-sided Detention Facility (Walsenburg): Proposed by Apex Site Services, would be a temporary or modular structure.

Additional proposals have come from private equity firm BHPE LLC and Apex Site Services, which specializes in temporary infrastructure.

ICE’s Official Position and Private Sector Involvement

ICE says it is “exploring all options to meet its current and future detention requirements” but has not confirmed which sites will be chosen or when contracts will be awarded. The agency points to increased enforcement operations and the need for more space as reasons for the expansion.

Private prison companies are eager to win contracts. CoreCivic claims it can reopen the Huerfano County Correctional Center within 120 days of getting a contract. GEO Group, which already runs the Aurora facility, is also seeking to expand. The Baptiste Group and Highlands REIT have submitted proposals for their properties.

State and Local Government Response

Colorado’s state government, led by Governor Jared Polis, says ICE has not shared details about the expansion. The governor’s office has called for more transparency and wants ICE to focus on detaining violent criminals rather than non-criminal immigrants. Local officials in areas near the proposed sites have also expressed frustration at the lack of information and worry about the impact on their communities.

Community and Advocacy Group Concerns

Immigrant rights groups and local organizers have strongly condemned the expansion. They warn that more detention centers will lead to increased family separations, poor living conditions, and more cases of abuse and neglect. The ACLU of Colorado, which forced ICE to release internal documents through a lawsuit, has been especially vocal. Tim Macdonald of the ACLU of Colorado called the expansion “unconscionable,” pointing to ongoing problems at the GEO-run Aurora facility, including deaths and medical neglect.

Community advocates argue that the expansion will only make things worse for immigrants and their families. They say the focus should be on alternatives to detention, legal representation, and due process, not on building more beds.

Legal and Regulatory Background

In 2023, Colorado passed a law banning local jails and publicly owned prisons from partnering with ICE for immigration detention. However, this ban does not apply to privately owned facilities, which is why all six proposed sites are privately held. This legal loophole allows ICE to move forward with its plans despite state opposition.

The expansion continues a federal trend of relying on private prison companies to run detention centers. Critics say this creates a profit motive that can lead to cost-cutting and poor conditions for detainees.

Facility Readiness and Capacity

Many of the proposed sites have been closed for years and will need major repairs or upgrades before they can open. CoreCivic says it can get the Huerfano County Correctional Center running within four months of getting a contract. The Cheyenne Mountain Center would also need work before it could reopen.

If all six sites open, Colorado could add thousands of new detention beds, helping ICE reach its national goal of detaining over 100,000 people each day. This would make Colorado one of the top states for immigrant detention capacity.

Human Rights and Oversight Issues

There are ongoing lawsuits and advocacy efforts focused on conditions in ICE detention centers. The Aurora facility, run by GEO Group, has faced repeated complaints about medical neglect, poor nutrition, and abuse. In 2024, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed after a detainee died at the facility.

Critics say that even with new National Detention Standards (NDS) introduced in 2025, core problems remain. They argue that the standards do not do enough to protect detainees’ safety and rights. The ACLU and other groups continue to push for stronger oversight and accountability.

Procurement Process and Timeline

In February 2025, ICE issued a Request for Information (RFI) for facilities in the Denver Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) Field Office area. Private companies responded with proposals for the six sites now under consideration.

The ACLU’s lawsuit in April 2025 forced ICE to release 115 pages of internal documents about the expansion. As of July 24, 2025, no final contracts have been announced, but private operators say they can start ramping up operations within months of getting the green light.

Stakeholder Analysis and Industry Impact

The expansion has created a business opportunity for private prison companies. Stock prices for GEO Group and CoreCivic have risen since Congress passed the funding bill. These companies stand to make millions from new contracts.

The American Immigration Council, however, calls the funding “short-sighted.” They argue that money should go toward legal representation, due process, and alternatives to detention, not more beds. Local officials are also worried about the impact on their communities and the lack of input in the decision-making process.

Future Outlook and Pending Developments

Final site selections and contract awards are expected in the coming months. Private operators say they are ready to begin operations quickly once contracts are signed. However, ongoing lawsuits and advocacy efforts could delay or change the plans.

There is also tension between state and federal authorities. Colorado’s ban on public facility partnerships with ICE could lead to more legal and political fights as the expansion moves forward. Community groups are preparing for more protests and advocacy campaigns.

What This Means for Immigrants and Families

If the expansion goes ahead, more immigrants in Colorado could face detention, often far from their families and legal support. The focus on private facilities raises concerns about conditions and oversight. Families may experience more separations, and local communities could see changes as new centers open.

For immigrants, knowing their rights and having access to legal help will be more important than ever. Community organizations and legal aid groups are likely to play a bigger role in supporting those affected.

Practical Guidance and Resources

Anyone concerned about the expansion or seeking more information can:

• Visit the ICE Detention Facilities page for official updates on locations and capacity.
• Contact the ACLU of Colorado for advocacy and legal resources.
• Reach out to local immigrant rights groups for support and information about rights in detention.
• Monitor updates from the Governor’s Office of Colorado for state-level responses and policy changes.

Key Facts and Figures

• Federal Funding for ICE Detention Expansion (2025): $45 billion
• Projected National Detention Capacity: 100,000–116,000 beds
• Colorado Proposed Facility Capacity: Huerfano (752 beds), Cheyenne Mountain (700 beds proposed), Aurora (128-bed expansion proposed), others to be determined

Caveats and Limitations

• No final contracts or operational dates have been announced as of July 24, 2025.
• ICE has not publicly confirmed all details of the proposed sites or timelines.
• State and local officials report a lack of transparency from ICE regarding expansion plans.
• Litigation and advocacy may impact the pace and scope of implementation.

Community Solutions and Next Steps

Advocates suggest several ways to address concerns about the expansion:

• Push for more transparency from ICE and private prison companies.
• Support legal representation and due process for detainees.
• Advocate for alternatives to detention, such as community-based programs.
• Monitor conditions at any new or reopened facilities and report abuses.

Community groups are also calling for more investment in services that help immigrants stay with their families and resolve their cases outside of detention.

Conclusion

The plan to add six new immigrant detention centers in Colorado is a major development in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸. With billions in new funding, ICE and private prison companies are moving quickly, but strong opposition from advocates, state officials, and local communities could shape what happens next.

For those affected, staying informed and connected to advocacy groups will be key. As the situation develops, official resources like the ICE Detention Facilities page and updates from organizations like the ACLU of Colorado will provide the latest information and support.

The coming months will be critical in determining how this expansion unfolds, what it means for immigrants in Colorado, and how communities respond to the growing presence of ICE and immigrant detention centers in the state.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws and managing immigrant detention and removal operations.
Detention Center → Facility where immigrants are held while awaiting immigration proceedings or removal.
Private Prison Company → A company that owns or operates prisons or detention centers for profit.
Freedom of Information Act → U.S. law enabling public access to government documents and records.
National Detention Standards → Federal rules setting minimum requirements for treatment and conditions of detained immigrants.

This Article in a Nutshell

ICE plans six new immigrant detention centers in Colorado backed by $45 billion federal funding. This controversial expansion, involving private prisons, faces criticism over human rights, transparency, and community impact. Legal challenges and advocacy efforts intensify as state officials demand clarity, highlighting tensions between enforcement and immigrant protections.
— By VisaVerge.com