Boulder's Immigration Policy: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles immigration policy a little differently. In Boulder, Colorado, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Sanctuary Policy Preemption

Boulder is informally a sanctuary or welcoming city. The Colorado Trust Act partially limits local cooperation with federal immigration detainers. Boulder Police follow city policy not to enforce civil immigration status.

Key details: State law: Colorado Trust Act. Statute: CRS §24-76.6. Boulder status: Welcoming city resolution. ICE holds: Not honored.

Trust Act violations expose officers and agencies to civil liability and state penalties. Boulder internal policy breaches trigger department discipline and city civil rights office review.

The rules around sanctuary policy preemption in Boulder lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

E-Verify Mandates

Boulder does not require private employers to use E-Verify. Colorado dropped the state's earlier verification affirmation in 2016. Federal contractors must still use E-Verify, but local Boulder employers face no mandate.

Key details: Boulder E-Verify mandate: None. State repeal year: 2016. Federal baseline: I-9 only. Federal contractors: Must use E-Verify.

There are no Boulder penalties tied to E-Verify use or non-use. Federal I-9 violations remain enforceable by ICE Homeland Security Investigations with civil fines per error.

Boulder is more permissive than most cities when it comes to e-verify mandates. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Boulder gives residents more room on immigration policy. 2 of the 2 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Boulder can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.