With John Hickenlooper defeating Tom Tancredo for the governor’s seat, Colorado’s elections showed immigration to be an important issue to the large Latino population of that state. In 2006, Colorado passed SB 90 which requires state law enforcement to cooperate with federal officials and prohibits policies to the contrary.
Political Landscape
2011 Session: January 12–May 11, 2011
Senate: Democrats still hold a slight majority (D – 19; R – 16).
State Senator-elect Kent Lambert (R–Colorado Springs) reserved a bill title for the proposal and Legislative Legal Services is in the process of reviewing its drafted form. Lambert said he is confident that it will meet the legal threshold to reach the legislature when it resumes in January, despite claims from critics that the Arizona law is unconstitutional.
House of Representatives: In the 2010 elections, Republicans took control of the House with a slight majority over Democrats (D – 31; R – 33).
State Representative Randy Baumgardner (R–Hot Sulphur Springs) went on a "fact finding" mission to Arizona and reiterated his intentions to introduce a bill similar to Arizona’s but different to "fit” the constitution of the state.
Governor: John Hickenlooper defeated anti-immigrant leader Tom Tancredo, who has built his career on an anti-immigrant platform and has spoken out against the Arizona law.
NCLR’s Colorado State Assessment: Possibly debated
The outcome of the gubernatorial election does not favor the passage of Arizona-like legislation in Colorado, as John Hickenlooper has called the law “troubling” and instead advocated for federal immigration reform during his campaign. However, legislative gains by Republicans in the State House and the Senate make it possible that it will be debated.
