Many Colorado county sheriffs have voiced concerns on social media about their concerns after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a list of sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states. Over the weekend, DHS withdrew the list from its website.

“These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law. President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law.”

This list included 41 of Colorado’s 63 counties. El Paso and Weld County lobbied and were successful in having those counties removed.

Baca County Sheriff's Office

Upon discovering that Baca County is listed as a sanctuary county by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), both myself and the Baca County Commissioners were taken aback and deeply concerned.

This information was completely new to us, and we are resolutely opposed to it. At no point were we contacted by DHS or any federal agency regarding our status as a sanctuary county. In response, we have initiated actions to have our county removed from this designation and have reached out to Ty Winter and Lauren Boebert, among others, to advocate for Baca County's removal from the list.

In 2024, the Baca County Commissioners adopted Resolution 2024-08, affirming that Baca County is not, and will never be, a sanctuary county for illegal immigration.

The Baca County Sheriff’s Office, alongside the Commissioners, remains committed to defending the rights of our citizens and upholding the U.S. Constitution against all threats, both foreign and domestic.

May God bless you all and continue to bless Baca County.

Aaron Shiplett

Baca County Sheriff

Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office - Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

It was brought to my attention that Cheyenne County along with 40 other counties across the state were listed on the Sanctuary County list released by the Department of Homeland Security. I don't know what criteria DHS used to compile this list or where they received their information but I was not conferred with on the development, criteria or purpose of the list. I have not had any contact with DHS regarding compliance with Immigration Laws or their Agents.

Cheyenne County is in no way a sanctuary County, and we will cooperate with federal agents as allowed by the laws of the state, as will most Sheriff's.

Sheriff Michael Buchanan

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office

PRESS RELEASE

It was brought to my attention that Lincoln County along with 40 other counties across the state were listed on the Sanctuary County list released by the Department of Homeland Security. I don't know what criteria DHS used to compile this list or where they received their information but I was not conferred with on the development, criteria or purpose of the list. I have not had any contact with DHS regarding compliance with Immigration Laws or their Agents.

Lincoln County is in no way a sanctuary County. The Lincoln County Commissioners have passed a Resolution #1120, stating so, which was forwarded to DHS.

Sheriff Tom Nestor

Kit Carson County Sheriff's Office

PRESS RELEASE

It was brought to my attention that Kit Carson County along with 40 other counties across the state were listed on the Sanctuary County list released by the Department of Homeland Security. I don't know what criteria DHS used to compile this list or where they received their information but I was not conferred with on the development, criteria or purpose of the list. I have not had any contact with DHS regarding compliance with Immigration Laws or their Agents.

Kit Carson County is in no way a sanctuary County. I will cooperate with federal agents as allowed by the laws of the state, as will most Sheriff's.

Sheriff Travis Belden

Kiowa County Commissioners

The following is the Kiowa County Commissioners response after being contacted by the Kiowa County Press

Kiowa County passed a resolution last year stating we are NOT a sanctuary county, Federal DHS failed to check and between formal contact with Representative Ty Winters and U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert, ongoing efforts to correct the false statements.

Donald Oswald – Commissioner

Howard "Butch" Robertson – Commissioner

Michael Lening – Commissioner