Colorado may soon triple its immigration detention capacity, with federal officials reportedly planning three new facilities across the state, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post.
An internal ICE planning document last updated July 30 lists proposed detention sites in Walsenburg, Hudson and Ignacio, which together would add 2,560 beds.
Colorado’s Current Facility and Expansion
At present, the state has only one ICE detention center — the Aurora Processing Center, run by private prison giant GEO Group. Under the new plan, Aurora’s maximum capacity would also grow from 1,360 to 1,530 beds.
The Aurora site has long faced scrutiny from activists, who accuse it of inhumane conditions and mistreatment of detainees.
Nationwide Push for Expansion
ICE’s expansion is fueled by the $45 billion Republican-backed federal spending and tax cut package approved last month. If the new centers move forward, Colorado would rank sixth in the nation for immigration detention capacity, out of roughly 107,000 beds nationwide projected for next year.
Details on Proposed Facilities
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Walsenburg: The Huerfano County Correctional Center, currently dormant, is owned by CoreCivic.
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Hudson: The Hudson Correctional Facility, previously run by GEO Group, closed in 2014.
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Ignacio: The Southern Ute Indian Adult Detention Center, a tribal-run facility.
Walsenburg and Hudson had already surfaced earlier this year as possible detention sites through an ACLU and ACLU of Colorado Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.
ICE has not yet commented publicly. A spokesperson in Denver did not immediately respond to requests.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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