Many of Colorado’s Democratic lawmakers came into this legislative session determined to push back against the Trump administration, especially on the president’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. They introduced proposals to ban state and local law enforcement from concealing their identity in most situations and to allow Coloradans to sue federal agents who violate their rights. But not all Democrats are on board with these ideas — worried they may harm legitimate law enforcement efforts and fail to keep the community safer. And the legislation raises big questions about the limits of state authority when it comes to how federal immigration agents behave within Colorado’s borders.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland, The Colorado Sun’s Taylor Dolven and The Denver Post’s Seth Klamann discuss the different bills, the potential legal challenges and the politics surrounding this issue, at a time when the stakes feel like they couldn’t be higher. 

Catch up on the latest coverage:

• The Denver Post: Judge again blocks Gov. Jared Polis from directing state officials to comply with an ICE subpoena
• The Denver Post: Federal judge criticizes ICE agents at Denver hearing for not knowing about earlier order limiting arrests
• The Colorado Sun: Colorado lawmakers reject bill that would have required police to intervene when ICE agents use excessive force
• The Denver Post: Thousands of immigrants in Colorado were arrested and deported during Trump’s first year
• The Colorado Sun: As some Democratic governors lead on ICE pushback, Jared Polis is taking a hands-off approach
• The Colorado Sun: Democratic lawmakers plan package of bills to further regulate federal immigration enforcement in Colorado
• Denverite: What we saw from inside ICE’s raid at Aurora’s Edge apartments

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and The Colorado Sun, and shared with Rocky Mountain Community Radio and other news organizations across the state. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Megan Verlee is the executive producer. Additionally reporting for this episode from Denverite’s Kevin Beaty.