There's no single law declaring Colorado a sanctuary state; still, Republicans have applied the "sanctuary" label to Colorado since a state law was enacted in 2019 banning the detainment of people on behalf of ICE. Denver is considered a "sanctuary city" largely because of a 2017 law prohibiting city employees, including the police, from sharing people's immigration status with ICE.
Although Colorado remains a blue state, President Donald Trump's reelection recently forced a reckoning with those policy decisions.
Last month, Governor Jared Polis walked back on some of Colorado's sanctuary reputation by welcoming ICE's help with the deportation of "dangerous" undocumented criminals. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is due to testify before the House Oversight Committee on March 5 about comments he made in November that he would stand up against ICE — a stance that could end up costing the city either way after Denver City Council approved spending up to $2 million to hire a former White House counsel to represent Johnston during the hearing.
While the state's two biggest jurisdictions deal with federal blowback regarding their supposed sanctuary jurisdiction status, the city councils of Aurora and Castle Rock have welcomed ICE's help and Trump's mass deportation plan, often called Operation Aurora. Other nearby jurisdictions have kept their heads down by following state statute, which limits cooperation with ICE, but don't outwardly declare themselves as a sanctuary or "welcoming" jurisdiction, as Denver has.
Cue George Brauchler, the Colorado conservative who now serves as the 23rd Judicial District Attorney representing Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. According to Brauchler, state laws and Denver government are making his jurisdiction less safe by "taking tools out of law enforcement's toolbox," especially the ability to share information, such as a criminal's immigration status, with ICE.
"Right now, we have set up a state through our laws that seeks less — if non-existent — accountability for those people who are here illegally," Brauchler says. "Probation isn't even allowed to ask them their status, so we're operating in an environment where we have less information."
A 2020 state law carved the 23rd from the fast-growing suburban sections of the 18th Judicial District, where Brauchler was the DA from 2014 to 2021. With his new office in Castle Rock and most of his constituents in cities like Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker, he considers himself the "last Republican DA in the Denver metro area."
The 23rd Judicial District started operating on January 14 under Brauchler's watch. Despite his desire for greater cooperation with ICE, the seasoned prosecutor vows to represent victims of crime regardless of how they came to the country.
A Lakewood native, Brauchler became a deputy district attorney in Jefferson County in 1995. Since then, he's made a name for himself in Colorado as the attorney who handled felony cases stemming from the shootings at Columbine High School, the Aurora Century 16 theater and the STEM School in Highlands Ranch. He's been a repeat Republican candidate whose biggest loss came against Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in 2018; he's a pundit who's had a radio talk show and writes newspaper columns as well.
Brauchler is also a reserve military judge for the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of colonel. But Brauchler stresses that his commitment is to public safety, not to Trump or ICE.
Brauchler was elected in November to prosecute criminals in the newly created 23rd Judicial District, but he's also one of the biggest advocates for Colorado welcoming ICE instead of undocumented immigrants.
A 2020 state law carved the 23rd from the fast-growing suburban sections of the 18th Judicial District, where Brauchler was the DA from 2014 to 2021. With his new office in Castle Rock and most of his constituents in cities like Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker, he considers himself the "last Republican DA in the Denver metro area."
The 23rd Judicial District started operating on January 14 under Brauchler's watch. Despite his desire for greater cooperation with ICE, the seasoned prosecutor vows to represent victims of crime regardless of how they came to the country.
"I'm the district attorney who's supposed to uphold the law for everyone who's here, whether that's for a moment or a lifetime, legal or illegal," he says. "I have an obligation to victims of crime regardless of their status."
A Lakewood native, Brauchler became a deputy district attorney in Jefferson County in 1995. Since then, he's made a name for himself in Colorado as the attorney who handled felony cases stemming from the shootings at Columbine High School, the Aurora Century 16 theater and the STEM School in Highlands Ranch. He's been a repeat Republican candidate whose biggest loss came against Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in 2018; he's a pundit who's had a radio talk show and writes newspaper columns as well.
Brauchler is also a reserve military judge for the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of colonel. But Brauchler stresses that his commitment is to public safety, not to Trump or ICE.
"In no way do I see myself as an arm of the federal government. I'm not an arm or an assistant to ICE," he says. "But what I do have an interest in is the safety of the people in this community, and if ICE can help us get rid of those people that are here not just illegally, but illegally and committing crimes, you have my full attention and support."
Brauchler Wants to End Colorado's Sanctuary Laws
The 23rd Judicial District is "relatively safe," Brauchler says, but he believes Denver and state laws prohibiting cooperation with ICE are keeping his district from being as safe as it could be.
He points to the fact that the first felony conviction via a jury trial in the 23rd Judicial District came on January 29 against Bruno Gutierrez-Zorilla, a Venezuelan immigrant found guilty of aggravated robbery after stealing more than $300,000 worth of jewelry and sunglasses in December and January from Douglas County stores, including the Park Meadows Mall.
Earlier this month, another Venezuelan immigrant pleaded guilty to similar theft charges as part of what Brauchler calls "an organized retail theft ring" run by "illegal immigrants operating across the metro area."
Brauchler is confident that removing Colorado and Denver's sanctuary laws would have prevented the crime ring and would make the metro area safer. "Undoubtedly that's true," he says. "We arrest people on a regular basis who are in this country when they shouldn't be, committing crimes."
Increased immigration into the U.S. hasn't led to a more dangerous country overall, however. According to the American Immigration Council, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, as the immigrant share of the population grew, the crime rate declined. In 1980, immigrants made up 6.2 percent of the U.S. population, and the total crime rate was 5,900 crimes per 100,000 people. By 2022, the share of immigrants had more than doubled, to 13.9 percent, while the total crime rate had dropped by 60.4 percent, to 2,335 crimes per 100,000 people.
"If we had the ability to leverage ICE or any other federal agency to help contain or get rid of the criminal element in this country, I think we would necessarily be safer," Brauchler says. "Can I quantify it? Well, no. We'd have to have more time of ICE being able to act."
He points to the fact that the first felony conviction via a jury trial in the 23rd Judicial District came on January 29 against Bruno Gutierrez-Zorilla, a Venezuelan immigrant found guilty of aggravated robbery after stealing more than $300,000 worth of jewelry and sunglasses in December and January from Douglas County stores, including the Park Meadows Mall.
Earlier this month, another Venezuelan immigrant pleaded guilty to similar theft charges as part of what Brauchler calls "an organized retail theft ring" run by "illegal immigrants operating across the metro area."
Brauchler is confident that removing Colorado and Denver's sanctuary laws would have prevented the crime ring and would make the metro area safer. "Undoubtedly that's true," he says. "We arrest people on a regular basis who are in this country when they shouldn't be, committing crimes."
Increased immigration into the U.S. hasn't led to a more dangerous country overall, however. According to the American Immigration Council, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, as the immigrant share of the population grew, the crime rate declined. In 1980, immigrants made up 6.2 percent of the U.S. population, and the total crime rate was 5,900 crimes per 100,000 people. By 2022, the share of immigrants had more than doubled, to 13.9 percent, while the total crime rate had dropped by 60.4 percent, to 2,335 crimes per 100,000 people.
Put It to a Vote?
On February 12, Brauchler announced he was supporting Senate Bill 25-047, a measure that would allow local agencies to share a criminal's immigration status with federal law enforcement. The bill faces almost certain defeat in a Democrat-controlled Colorado Legislature, but Brauchler doesn't think that's the end of the road.
"I have no doubt that it won't pass," he says. "This is a prelude to something that's going to show up on the ballot."
Brauchler touts organizations like Advance Colorado, a conservative advocacy group where he was once president, as possible petitions to put a similar anti-sanctuary measure on the statewide ballot in 2026.
The chance of a proposal like SB 047 passing as a ballot measure is meant to pressure Democratic state lawmakers into negotiating to reverse parts of Colorado's sanctuary laws. "This is to start a conversation with the legislature. If the legislature were smarter, they would see this thing is going to end up on the ballot," he says. "Democrats, if they're smart, would say, 'Maybe we can head this off at the pass."
Also on the 2026 ballot will be new gubernatorial candidates, since Polis is term limited. One of the announced candidates is Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who defeated Brauchler in the 2018 election. Although Brauchler briefly ran for governor in 2018 before dropping out to pursue the AG's spot, he says he won't be running for governor in 2026.
"I'm content with being district attorney where I've lived for almost thirty years," he says. "I love this job. This is a good job."
"I have no doubt that it won't pass," he says. "This is a prelude to something that's going to show up on the ballot."
Brauchler touts organizations like Advance Colorado, a conservative advocacy group where he was once president, as possible petitions to put a similar anti-sanctuary measure on the statewide ballot in 2026.
The chance of a proposal like SB 047 passing as a ballot measure is meant to pressure Democratic state lawmakers into negotiating to reverse parts of Colorado's sanctuary laws. "This is to start a conversation with the legislature. If the legislature were smarter, they would see this thing is going to end up on the ballot," he says. "Democrats, if they're smart, would say, 'Maybe we can head this off at the pass."
Also on the 2026 ballot will be new gubernatorial candidates, since Polis is term limited. One of the announced candidates is Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who defeated Brauchler in the 2018 election. Although Brauchler briefly ran for governor in 2018 before dropping out to pursue the AG's spot, he says he won't be running for governor in 2026.
"I'm content with being district attorney where I've lived for almost thirty years," he says. "I love this job. This is a good job."
Brauchler believes that you can make an impact at the local level. He encourages smaller jurisdictions to send messages that they want to work with ICE, countering the state's sanctuary reputation by passing resolutions as has been done by Castle Rock, the county seat of Douglas County, and Aurora, which Brauchler used to represent as the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District.
The Aurora City Council has twice passed a resolution asserting that it's a "non-sanctuary city," in 2017 and in 2024. The Castle Rock City Council passed a resolution in December saying it would "comply and assist with" all of Trump's deportation efforts.
"We're trying to send the message to the broader community that, 'Hey, if you want to be in the country illegally, that's a decision you have to make,'" Brauchler explains. "But don't think you're going to find people down here who are going to create a permissive, accommodating environment."
The Aurora City Council has twice passed a resolution asserting that it's a "non-sanctuary city," in 2017 and in 2024. The Castle Rock City Council passed a resolution in December saying it would "comply and assist with" all of Trump's deportation efforts.
"We're trying to send the message to the broader community that, 'Hey, if you want to be in the country illegally, that's a decision you have to make,'" Brauchler explains. "But don't think you're going to find people down here who are going to create a permissive, accommodating environment."
Brauchler Hates Denver's Policies, but Not the Mayor
Denver's Mayor Johnston prefers not to say "sanctuary city," instead opting for the term "welcoming city." According to Brauchler, "They can call it 'happy fun town,' but that doesn't change anything," especially not the DA's perception that Denver's policy decisions hurt the rest of the metro area.
"Every crappy decision, policy-wise, that Denver makes does not just have consequences in Denver," he argues. "They make crappy decisions, and they bleed over into the surrounding jurisdictions. ...Denver's decisions, they suck, but when they're making them, they're making them for us, too."Brauchler admits that he likes Johnston, and won't be rooting against the mayor during the March 5 congressional hearing. They worked together when Johnston's time in the state Senate from 2009 to 2017 overlapped with Brauchler's tenure as the 18th Judicial District Attorney. Brauchler also notes that Johnston's wife, Courtney, is "a fellow prosecutor" who's the chief deputy in the Denver District Attorney's office.
"I like [Johnston]. I want him to win. I want him to succeed," Brauchler says. "But whatever they're doing there right now, it is wholly ineffective. It's done nothing. I'm interested to see, maybe, what words he's going to say, but until they change their policies, no words are going to make a difference."
