Wheat Ridge council adopts resolution affirming civil rights; residents urge local limits on immigration enforcement

Wheat Ridge — The Wheat Ridge City Council on Feb. 23 adopted Resolution 14, a council declaration affirming the city’s commitment to human dignity and civil rights and disavowing actions that unfairly target people based on race, color or country of origin. The resolution passed by voice poll, 8–0.

The resolution, introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Hultein and drafted collaboratively by council members, reiterates constitutional protections and calls on government at all levels to act in ways that strengthen rather than harm communities. After the council read the resolution aloud, several residents urged the council to follow the declaration with concrete local policies.

"This was posted on the Colorado Rapid Response Network — confirmed detention in Wheat Ridge a week ago tomorrow," Morgan Richards told the council, describing a community report of unmarked vehicles and one person detained and urging that the resolution be backed by action to keep community members safe. "It is paramount that your resolution in the future has to be backed up with action," Richards said.

Other speakers supported the resolution and suggested policy steps. Doug Bates recommended that the city study model policies on police surveillance and civilian oversight developed by groups such as the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Gary Holmes urged the council to consider banning Wheat Ridge Police Department (WRPD) participation in ICE deputization, prohibiting collateral support for ICE operations, requiring judicial warrants for immigration enforcement in the city, and ensuring enforcement officers are identifiable.

Councilors and staff acknowledged those requests but emphasized legal limits on local authority. Director Lauren Mikolak said the zoning code does not list detention centers as a permitted local land use, so "as a matter of the city zoning code, [such facilities] would not be permitted" in typical circumstances. City Attorney Jerry Dahl cautioned that state or federal law could preempt local authority in limited circumstances: if a federal facility or a federally mandated use were at issue, federal preemption and the federal mission could override local zoning, and that determination could prompt court challenges.

Councilors described Resolution 14 as a starting point and thanked community members for their testimony. Mayor Pro Tem Hultein moved approval; the motion was seconded and carried on a clerk poll of 8 ayes, no nays.

Next steps: councilors and staff said they will continue reviewing possible policy options, including the legal feasibility of restrictions on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and policies governing surveillance and data use. Any formal ordinance or binding restriction would return to council for public hearings and a vote.