Latest news with #ElizabethVelasco
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colorado House passes immigration protections after DOJ sues for ‘sanctuary' policies
DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado's Democratic lawmakers are pushing ahead on immigration bills despite the U.S. Department of Justice filing a lawsuit Friday to challenge those laws. One of those measures, SB25-276, 'Protect Civil Rights Immigration Status,' that lawmakers are pushing forward on, focuses on protecting civil rights and immigrant communities in Colorado and was passed by the House on Saturday after amendments were made. The vote was made along party lines, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. DOJ sues Colorado, Denver for so-called 'sanctuary laws' The proposed measure includes a slew of actions that are designed to protect the civil rights of immigrants, including: Repealing the requirement for an affidavit stating that an undocumented person has applied for lawful presence or will apply for lawful presence as soon as they are eligible when an undocumented person is applying for in-state student tuition or an identification document Prohibiting jail custodians from delaying the release of a defendant for the purpose of an immigration enforcement operation Extends the ability to petition a court to vacate a guilty plea to class 3 misdemeanors as classified at the time of plea if the defendant was not adequately advised of the adverse immigration consequences of a guilty plea or if the guilty plea was constitutionally infirm Extends the prohibition on local law enforcement from enforcing a civil immigration detainer to also include peace officers Prevents probation officers and departments from sharing personal information about a person with pretrial officers or pretrial services employees Prevents employees of a detention facility from allowing federal immigration authorities into the non-public portions of a detention facility unless they are investigating a federal crime or as required by a federal warrant to transfer an inmate to or from federal custody 'Colorado is stronger when we all can contribute to our economy without fear,' said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, a Democrat representing Glenwood Springs, in a Colorado House Majority Office release. 'The Trump administration's attacks on our civil liberties have sparked chaos among our immigrant communities – parents are afraid to pick up their children from daycare, workers are scared to show up to their jobs. 'This fear doesn't just hurt our families, but our entire community and Colorado's economy. We're taking steps today to strengthen Colorado laws around personal data sharing and reaffirm our existing protections to ensure due process for all, regardless of immigration status,' Velasco added. On April 27, federal and local officials conducted a major operation at what they are calling an illegal nightclub in Colorado Springs. Officials detained over 100 people during the operation and said many had entered the U.S. without going through proper channels. As of the time of publication, FOX31 knew of only one person facing drug charges related to the operation, but is aware of several local law enforcement agencies that aided in the operation. FOX31 has not learned of any specific immigration cases related to the raid, and the U.S. Army staff sergeant charged with drug offenses appears to be a U.S. citizen. Colorado sheriff: Executive order an 'attempt to federalize, by intimidation' local law enforcement 'Our bill safeguards the civil and constitutional rights of everyone in Colorado,' said Rep. Lorena García, a Democrat who represents unincorporated Adams County, in a release. 'Between carrying out sweeping, untargeted deportations that have included American citizens and defying federal court orders, the Trump administration's immigration overreach has struck fear in Colorado communities. To help protect everyone, we're limiting the sharing of personal data while clarifying protections in public spaces so we all can participate in our economy and communities.' Proponents say the measure would build on existing data privacy laws, and repeal 'outdated' affidavit requirements to obtain a Colorado driver's license or in-state tuition, which the sponsors said would 'protect data from unwarranted collection by federal agencies.' Rep. Ty Winter, a Republican representing House District 47, posted to X that he believes this solidifies Colorado as a sanctuary state, a title Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, has repeatedly denied. 'Doubling down on policies like this diverts taxpayer dollars to non-citizens while turning their backs on hardworking Coloradans,' Winter wrote. 'I'll keep fighting to put public safety and our citizens first.' Because the House passed amendments on the bill, it will return to the Senate for another vote before heading to the governor's desk for consideration to be signed into law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colorado lawmakers pass immigrant protection measure
May 4 (UPI) -- The Colorado House has passed a measure aimed at protecting the rights of immigrants in the state, despite efforts by the Trump administration to crack down on illegal immigration. The House debated Senate Bill 276 for nearly four hours before approving it 42-21 along party lines. The measure prohibits local and state law enforcement officers from allowing federal immigration agents to enter parts of immigrant detention centers that are off limits to the public, and would prohibit jails from releasing someone on a personal recognizance bond as part of an immigrant enforcement operation unless they are investigating a federal crime. The bill also prohibits another state's National Guard from entering the state as part of any enforcement action without permission from Colorado's governor, and prevents federal immigration agents from going into schools, health care and child care facilities, churches, libraries and jails without warrants. Those institutions would also be prohibited from releasing information about a person's immigration status. "In this country, everyone is constitutionally guaranteed rights, no matter who the president is," Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, said. Velasco immigrated to the United States from Mexico. "But as a nation and a state, we are facing an unsettling and uncertain future. Due process is being violated at the highest levels of government. "Right now, our neighbors are afraid while going about the basic necessities of life like taking their children to school, going to the doctor, or cooperating with authorities." Critics of the measure, including Rep. Jarvis Caldwell, R-Colorado Springs, said it would mean a loss of federal money for Colorado, and would be the "final nail in the coffin" for federal money for Space Command, which the Trump administration has considered moving from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama. "We're gonna lose money on this because it is the federal government's role to enforce immigration law and what we are trying to do is we are trying to roadblock that for them," he said. Caldwell introduced an amendment to the bill that would repeal the law if Washington does, indeed, cut federal funding to the state as a result of the immigration measure. The amendment was defeated. The bill passed the Senate late last month. The Justice Department recently filed suit against Colorado naming Gov. Jared Polis for the its "sanctuary laws."
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Colorado bill would set worker safety standards for extreme heat and cold
Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, a Glenwood Springs Democrat, speaks at an immigrants rights rally at the Colorado Capitol on Jan. 22, 2025. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline) Shade structures and warming shelters for Colorado workers would be required at certain temperatures under a bill working its way through the Legislature. House Bill 25-1286 would require employers to provide shade or shelter in extreme conditions, develop temperature-related safety plans for job sites and make water available for workers in an effort to prevent illness like heat stroke, hypothermia and frostbite. 'Our working families and our working community know what it is to live in a changing climate. We are the ones that are feeling the pressure of living in places that sometimes don't have air conditioning, or working outside when it's over 100 degrees,' Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, a Glenwood Springs Democrat, said at a press conference announcing the legislation in February. 'What we want to ensure with this bill is that our community members are able to go to work and come back home,' she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Velasco is running the bill with Rep. Meg Froelich, an Englewood Democrat, Sen. Lisa Cutter, a Littleton Democrat, and Sen. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat. Nineteen House Democrats, including Majority Leader Monica Duran, are also signed onto the bill in support. Sponsors say the bill seeks to codify into state law existing guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for workers in industries that can operate in extreme temperatures, such as construction, agriculture, landscaping, oil and gas production, warehousing and manufacturing. OSHA is considering rulemaking around a heat standard similar to what is outlined in the bill. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, and between 2011 and 2021, 436 people died on the job due to environmental heat exposure, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last August was the hottest August on record in the Northern Hemisphere. 'As our climate continues to change, these risks will become more and more prevalent. That's why we must implement protections that prevent these occurrences from happening,' Cutter said. The bill defines trigger temperatures as a low of 30 degrees Fahrenheit and a high of 80 degrees, though the triggers account for how a person experiences low and high temperatures, such as with wind chill and humidity. At that heat level, employers would need to provide shade or an air-conditioned area for workers that is no more than a quarter mile from the work site if people need to walk to it. It would need to be large enough that the number of workers taking a break could sit normally and comfortably without touching one another. Employers would also need to provide at least one quart of water per worker per hour, or one gallon every four hours. If it hits 90 degrees, workers would be entitled to a 15 minute rest break every two hours. Alan Soto, who owns a gravel service business in Colorado, said that despite OSHA training and guidelines, protections on the work site are not guaranteed. Colorado is under federal OSHA jurisdiction, rather than an individual state plan with stricter standards. 'It's up to each employer to decide how serious to take worker safety, and unfortunately, it's often not enough. I've seen workers push through heat exhaustion, feeling dizzy and weak, because they don't want to lose a day's work pay,' he said. Colorado has had heat-related protections for agricultural workers since 2021, but that doesn't extend to other industries and the state does not have cold-related protections for any workers. 'Colorado can lead the nation in protecting workers from exposure to extreme cold, whether they are inside or outside. Hypothermia, frostbite and trench foot are just a few of the issues that can arise from cold stress and they can worsen existing health conditions,' Cutter said. There would be rules for cold-related risks that mirror the heat-related ones. At the initial trigger level, workers would need to have access to a heated indoor area close by. If it is unsafe or infeasible to have that heated indoor area, employers would need to 'utilize alternative procedures for providing access to warmth,' according to bill text, though it does not provide examples. Workers would be able to take a 10 minute 'preventative warm up break' every two hours. The bill also has guidelines for a 'buddy system' for workers to monitor each other in extreme temperatures, rules for communication with workers alone on a job site and required injury prevention plans. 'Employers should provide essential and basic protections to workers, like shade, water and warming shelters. These are not luxuries. These are common-sense necessities to protect the health and even to save lives,' said Alex Sánchez, the president of the advocacy group Voces Unidas. The bill is backed by the Coalition to Protect Workers from Extreme Temperatures, which includes Voces Unidas, Conservation Colorado, ACLU Colorado and the state's larger unions. It is widely opposed, however, by industry groups like the Associated Builders and Contractors Rocky Mountain Chapter, Colorado Farm Bureau, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' Association Colorado Chapter and Associated General Contractors of Colorado. Michael Gifford, AGC's advocacy director, said the bill covers a topic already regulated by OSHA. 'We very much believe in worker safety and health, but we just don't think it's helpful to have two different units of government regulating the same area,' he said. Additionally, he said that many of the large contractors that are members of AGC already consider extreme temperatures and the associated safety risks. He also worries about how mandatory breaks could impact a project's timeline and cost. 'They're doing rest breaks, heat, breaks, cold, measures, buddy systems. They have to have all of this in a written safety plan,' he said. 'So it's not the measures, it's really the fact that we're going to have a whole new swath of time that just can't work because of cold or heat.' The bill is set for its first committee hearing on March 13 with the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
