English

Polis has 30 days to sign, veto, or let SB25-276 take effect

SIGN OR VETO THE LAW | Governor Jared Polis. (Photos/El Comercio de Colorado)

SENATE APPROVES HOUSE AMENDMENTS

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

Haga click aquí para leer la versión en español

The SB25-276 bill, which seeks to protect civil rights regardless of immigration status, has completed its journey through the Colorado General Assembly. On Monday, May 5, the State Senate approved the amendments introduced by the House of Representatives last Saturday, marking the final legislative step before the measure heads to Governor Jared Polis’s desk for enactment.

From this point, the governor has 30 days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to take effect without his signature, since the legislative session ends this Wednesday, May 7. This authority is granted under Article IV, Section 11 of the Colorado Constitution. SB25-276 has been promoted as a tool to strengthen constitutional protections for state residents in response to federal immigration policies seen as aggressive.

Mixed reactions

If signed into law, it would make Colorado one of the states with the strongest protections for immigrant communities. Advocacy organizations celebrated the bill’s final approval. Raquel Lane-Arellano, communications manager at the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), stated: “We’re thrilled that SB25-276 has passed both chambers and is now headed to the Governor’s desk,” she said.

Lane-Arellano added, “This bill is a huge victory for Colorado families because it strengthens constitutional rights and helps ensure our communities are protected from federal overreach. We are grateful to those who led this effort and to every person in Colorado who raised their voice to achieve this win.” On the other hand, Republican lawmakers expressed strong opposition.

State Representative Ty Winter posted on X: “The majority party just passed SB25-276 — solidifying Colorado as a sanctuary state. Doubling down on policies like this diverts taxpayer dollars to non-citizens while turning their backs on hardworking Coloradans. I’ll keep fighting to put public safety and our citizens first.”