Commissioners condemn Boulder County’s inclusion on list of ‘sanctuary jurisdictions’

Boulder County’s commissioners condemned the county’s inclusion on a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” compiled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as “baseless” and “inflammatory.” 

The list, released last month, included more than 500 cities and counties nationwide that the Trump administration deemed non- compliant with federal immigration law. The online list has since been taken down. An archived version is available.

In a statement, commissioners said they had not received formal notice, as the administration pledged. The county complies with all state, federal and local laws, commissioners said.

“If being a “sanctuary jurisdiction” means that we support due process of law and human rights, then we are proud of that moniker,” the statement reads. “… We will not bow down to bullying tactics designed to keep us from supporting those most in need.”

Following the re-election of Donald Trump, Boulder County’s District Attorney’s office reaffirmed its commitment to protecting undocumented victims of crime. The office also created a bilingual Know Your Rights document that was distributed to immigrant communities.

Boulder, Lafayette and Longmont were on the list along with dozens of other Colorado communities. Lafayette was one of several communities whose name was misspelled. 

Boulder declared itself a sanctuary city during Trump’s first term, meaning local authorities do not question, detain or turn over people to federal authorities based on their immigration status. The city did not issue a statement addressing the administration's list.

Lafayette's mayor told Denver Channel 7 the city also did not receive notification from the federal government and was unclear why Lafayette was included, as it is not a sanctuary city.

Colorado as a whole was also listed as a sanctuary jurisdiction. Gov. Jared Polis told Channel 7 that the state’s inclusion was “completely incorrect.”