Wheat Ridge limits city role in federal civil immigration enforcement

Wheat Ridge City Council voted 8-0 on Sept. 28 to approve a resolution limiting the city’s role in federal civil immigration enforcement, according to the recorded meeting.

City Manager Patrick Goff said city personnel would not conduct federal civil immigration enforcement as an independent municipal function. An agreement delegating that authority to local officers would require explicit council authorization, he said. Goff also said the resolution bars operational support and affirmative use of city facilities or resources for such enforcement, subject to legal and public-safety exceptions.

Goff said the limits would not prevent employees from responding to emergencies, criminal activity, threats to life and other legitimate public-safety needs. He said he would work with the city attorney and police chief on any needed policy, training and public-information updates.

The resolution also directs expedited review and enforcement of prohibited confinement-facility uses under city zoning rules. City Attorney Gerald Dahl said the city would treat a confirmed violation as urgent and follow up immediately. A council member said the resolution calls for prompt notice and, where authorized by law, steps to stop new admissions, expansion or work facilitating a prohibited use.

If people were already held at a facility, Dahl said the response would depend on the circumstances and would need to respect their rights and ensure a safe transfer. He described police as coordinating for safety, rather than directing the transfer.

Staff described the measure as reaffirming an existing city zoning prohibition on confinement facilities, with an exception for qualifying Wheat Ridge Police Department facilities.