Council Members Urge Improved Fencing, Safety Measures at GEO Detention Facility; City, Facility Negotiating MOU

Council members and staff discussed concerns about perimeter fencing, staff and vehicle security, and the operational footprint around the GEO detention facility in Aurora. Officials said the city and the facility operator are negotiating a memorandum of agreement to address fencing and other safety improvements.

A council member who recently visited the GEO facility raised safety issues with the facility’s fencing and asked staff to prioritize modifications. City staff said the matter is under discussion and that the facility is a private operation; staff are negotiating to have the operator fund needed modifications rather than placing costs on the city. "We're really because that's something we're really pushing in because the way it's set up now, it's really challenging as far as what demonstrations can occur, how they can occur," a police official said, describing operational difficulties with the current footprint.

Council members noted frequent police deployments to the facility and raised the prospect of ICE assuming more on‑site law enforcement responsibilities as the facility grows its own resources. Staff and council members agreed to continue discussions with the GEO operator and other stakeholders about fencing and safety enhancements; no formal agreements were adopted during the meeting.