DENVER — Colorado lawmakers rejected a bill that sought to expand the role of state and local police in responding to alleged misconduct by federal immigration agents, the Colorado Sun reported.
House Bill 1275 would have required officers to intervene when federal agents use excessive force. The bill alsoproposed additional measures, including prohibiting officers from concealing their identities and requiring training related to immigration enforcement.
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The House Judiciary Committee voted down the bill after hours of testimony, with two Democrats joining Republicans in opposition.
Supporters said the legislation aimed to increase accountability following recent high-profile incidents involving federal immigration enforcement. Opponents, including police chiefs, argued the bill would create legal conflicts and place officers in difficult situations when interacting with federal authorities operating under different standards, according to the Colorado Sun.
Lawmakers who opposed the bill said existing state law already requires officers to intervene in cases of excessive force and limits cooperation with federal immigration agencies. They also noted the bill would not have given the state authority to regulate federal agents directly.
Police officials warned the proposal could impact recruitment and expose officers to legal risk. Some chiefs said officers could face consequences whether they chose to intervene or not during federal operations.
Two related immigration bills remain under consideration in Colorado, including one that would restrict cooperation with federal detention and transportation efforts and another that would allow civil lawsuits against federal immigration officials.
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