Colorado town opposes big blue neighbor in immigration battle: "Denver does not represent all of Colorado"

The crackdown on illegal immigration by President-elect Donald Trump has intensified the partisan differences between Denver, a deep blue city, and its conservative neighbors, including Castle Rock, which has already vowed to back Trump's upcoming immigration policies.

Max Brooks, a Castle Rock councilman and newly sworn-in member of the Colorado House of Representatives, stated ahead of inauguration day that Denver does not represent all of Colorado and neither does it speak for Douglas County.

Last month, the town council unanimously approved Brooks' proposal, which expressed "strong support for President-Elect Donald Trump's plan to address the country's immigration crisis by deporting unauthorized migrants in large numbers."

The measure demonstrated Castle Rock's readiness to collaborate with federal immigration authorities in this endeavor.

In November, Mayor Mike Johnston of Denver proposed that city police could resist federal immigration officials, prompting a response from Brooks in the form of a measure. However, Johnston later retracted his statement.

Denver, also known as the Mile High City, received approximately 43,000 migrants from December 2022 to last summer, according to city data. This influx of newcomers coincided with President Biden's executive action aimed at reducing the number of migrants crossing the southern border. As a result, Denver closed its final migrant shelter in early October due to low demand.

"Bringing 43,000 people into Denver and expecting them to stay within its boundaries is unrealistic," Brooks stated. "They will inevitably disperse across the Front Range, making this a Colorado issue."

Despite not personally witnessing the influx of illegal immigrants that their neighbors to the north have experienced, some locals told Planet Chronicle Digital that there are still signs of it. Brooks pointed to the Douglas County Jail, which housed 369 inmates on Thursday, 15% of whom were non-U.S. citizens.

The viral video of Venezuelan gang members carrying guns in an Aurora apartment complex in August brought Colorado to the center of the national immigration discussion. Trump, then a candidate, pledged to speed up the removal of these violent gangs during his visit to the city in the fall.

A Castle Rock resident, who legally immigrated from Brazil, struggled to judge individuals who may have entered the U.S. illegally.

"It's difficult because they are fleeing from poverty, violence, criminality, or any other reason," he stated. "Taking that step in their life and being so vulnerable must indicate a really bad situation."

Catherine, who legally immigrated to Colorado from Colombia two years ago after a nine-year process, stated that it is necessary to enforce borders strictly.

"If you don't establish guidelines, your nation will resemble ours in the future," she stated.

While Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, has consistently refuted the idea that Colorado is a "sanctuary state," Brooks asserted that towns like Castle Rock are constrained by state laws that prohibit police from collaborating with immigration authorities.

"What truly matters is action, as Brooks stated. Our goal is for cops to be able to perform their duties effectively."

Polis stated that he would welcome federal assistance in removing criminals and gang members, but he would resist any attempts to target law-abiding Coloradans who have resided in the state for decades.

The district court dismissed the lawsuit brought by Douglas County against the state over its sanctuary policies. However, Brooks stated that municipalities are considering taking new legal action, but are waiting to see how the situation changes after Trump takes office.

"We know that we'll secure the southern border, so Denver won't continue to bring in as many illegal migrants as they might like."