April 21st, 2025 – At the Denver Justice Project, we believe that true public safety is built on dignity, equity, and shared humanity. Today, we celebrate the Senate’s third‑reading passage of Senate Bill 25‑276: Protect Civil Rights Based on Immigration Status, a critical step toward limiting local collaboration with federal immigration enforcement and bolstering protections for our immigrant neighbors. Now headed to the House for committee hearings and final votes, SB25‑276 reflects the power of community‑driven advocacy and the promise of a Colorado where everyone can thrive.


Community Power Behind the Push

This victory wouldn’t be possible without grassroots organizations leading the charge. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition organized town halls, legislative briefings, and phone banks to educate lawmakers on the bill’s human impact. Movimiento Poder mobilized volunteers across Denver and beyond, bringing testimonies from families directly affected by detention and deportation. Together, they ensured SB25‑276 reached the Senate floor—and today’s vote underscores how intersectional advocacy can reshape policy.


Key Protections in SB25‑276

  1. No ICE Holds After Bond: Local jails will no longer detain individuals for ICE once bond is posted, preventing prolonged incarceration solely based on immigration status.
  2. Vacatur of Low‑Level Convictions: Many minor convictions are weaponized to justify detention and deportation. SB25‑276 expands individuals’ ability to vacate these convictions, restoring pathways to work, housing, and stability.
  3. Warrant Requirement for Facility Access: Federal immigration agents will be barred from entering non‑public areas of jails and detention centers without a judicial warrant.
  4. Limits on Data Collection & Surveillance: The bill rolls back immunity protections for agencies that collect or share immigration data in violation of civil‑rights standards.
  5. End to Discriminatory Affidavits: Harmful affidavit requirements for tuition rates and public IDs—often used to exclude and penalize immigrants—will be repealed.
  6. Accountability for Public Institutions: Schools, hospitals, and other public entities will face clear limits on cooperation with ICE, ensuring that essential services remain accessible to all residents.

Why This Matters

SB25‑276 strikes at the heart of systems that criminalize and surveil immigrant communities. By disentangling local law enforcement from ICE, the bill upholds the principle that public safety must not depend on policing immigration status. It restores fundamental rights—freedom from unnecessary detention, equal access to education and healthcare, and the ability to rebuild one’s life after a minor conviction.


How You Can Take Action

At the Denver Justice Project, we remain committed to intersectional advocacy that fosters safe and healthy communities. Passing SB25‑276 is a bold stride toward a Colorado that defends the full humanity of every resident—regardless of where they were born. Join us in urging the House to advance this landmark bill and continue the fight for justice and equity.