Sanctuary Jurisdictions Defying Federal Immigration Law Lists Colorado Counties

Friday, County Commissioners from Southeast Colorado have been on the phone to try to right what they say is definitely a wrong. Their counties are inaccurately named on a list.

According to a news release from the Department of Homeland Security, all 64 counties have been listed as sanctuary counties.

The news release is posted below:

Executive Order 14287: Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens requires that a list of states and local jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws (sanctuary jurisdictions) be published. Sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.

The list below was created to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens.

Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.

Note that the list can be reviewed and changed at any time and will be updated regularly. No one should act on this information without conducting their own evaluation of the information.

Bent County Commissioner Jennifer Scofield tells us they've been working with Representative Ty Winter and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert to be removed from the list as Bent County has adopted a resolution stating they are not a sanctuary county.

Going to social media to set the record straight, Baca County Sheriff, Aaron Shiplett posted the following:

Upon discovering that Baca County is listed as a sanctuary county by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), both myself and the Baca County Commissioners were taken aback and deeply concerned.

This information was completely new to us, and we are resolutely opposed to it. At no point were we contacted by DHS or any federal agency regarding our status as a sanctuary county. In response, we have initiated actions to have our county removed from this designation and have reached out to Ty Winter and Lauren Boebert, among others, to advocate for Baca County's removal from the list.

In 2024, the Baca County Commissioners adopted Resolution 2024-08, affirming that Baca County is not, and will never be, a sanctuary county for illegal immigration.

The Baca County Sheriff’s Office, alongside the Commissioners, remains committed to defending the rights of our citizens and upholding the U.S. Constitution against all threats, both foreign and domestic.

Otero County is also on that list, however, Commissioner Tim Knabenshue confirms they adopted a resolution, 2024-6, stating that they would not be a sanctuary county.

This is a developing story. Many Southeast Colorado counties are working to get their counties off this list. We have reached out to legislators for comment and updates and will continue to follow this story.

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