Six Colorado Facilities Under Review for ICE Detention Expansion Amid Funding Boost

Six Colorado Sites Under Review for ICE Detention Expansion

Following the allocation of $45 billion by Congress to bolster the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) detention capabilities, a recent disclosure has unveiled six facilities in Colorado that are being considered for potential reopening. The announcement came as a result of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ACLU of Colorado under the Freedom of Information Act.

Potential Sites Listed

The ACLU has shared information regarding the proposed sites, all of which are privately owned and currently idle:

• Huerfano County Correctional Center in Walsenburg
• Cheyenne Mountain Center in Colorado Springs
• Hudson Correctional Facility in Hudson
• Baptiste Migrant Detention Facility in La Junta
• Colorado Springs Migrant Detention Facility in Colorado Springs
• A ‘soft-sided’ detention facility in Walsenburg (exact location unspecified)

Concerns Over Proposed Expansion

Eunice Cho, senior staff attorney for the ACLU’s National Prison Project, expressed grave concerns regarding ICE’s potential expansion, arguing it could lead to more immigrants facing dangerous and inhumane conditions.

“The congressional appropriations have significantly enhanced ICE’s capacity to expand immigration detention, placing immigrants in our communities at even greater risk,” Cho stated.

ICE’s Response and Facilities’ Background

CPR News reached out to ICE seeking comment on the proposed sites but did not receive a response. Previously, it was reported that the Huerfano County Correctional Center, closed in 2010, and Kit Carson Correctional Facility in Burlington have been contemplated by ICE. Both facilities are owned by CoreCivic, a company that already administers detention services across several states.

According to ACLU documents, another option in Huerfano County could involve utilizing temporary facilities provided by Apex Sites, a Texas-based company specializing in developing soft-sided facilities that can accommodate up to 10,000 individuals on behalf of federal and state agencies. The economic implications for Huerfano County, which has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Colorado, could be significant if ICE proceeds with its plans.

History of Selected Facilities

The Cheyenne Mountain Center was shut down in 2020 after the GEO Group’s contract with the Colorado Department of Corrections was not renewed, attributed to issues like high turnover and insufficient staffing. Additionally, GEO Group, which operates the Aurora ICE Processing Center, remains the owner of Cheyenne Mountain Center. Hudson Correctional Facility ceased functioning in 2014 and was previously utilized for Alaska state prisoners.

The Baptiste Group, who supervises two of the facilities listed, faced suspensions in a Tennessee facility after legal issues concerning employees. The Baptiste Migrant Detention Facility was last used in 2023 and formerly served as a Boys’ Ranch.

Political Context

The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill has led to increased Republican efforts to enhance immigration enforcement, with estimates suggesting that the forthcoming funds could boost ICE’s capacity to 116,000 beds from the current 41,000. Stocks for companies like GEO Group and CoreCivic have risen since the bill’s enactment, signaling profit-driven motivations in the expansion.

Governor’s Office Stance

In a statement, Governor Jared Polis urged ICE to be more forthcoming about its operational plans, emphasizing the need to focus on violent offenders rather than law-abiding immigrants contributing to local communities. Despite Colorado’s recent policy prohibiting local jails and prisons from working with ICE on holding immigration detainees, the regulations do not apply to private facilities.

Facility Summary Table