Rep. Lauren Boebert Holds Denver Mayor Accountable for Sanctuary City Policies

March 5, 2025 Press Release Hearing confirms Denver uses policies that restrict coordination between local law enforcement and ICE WASHINGTON D.C.-- At today's House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing with Sanctuary City mayors from across the country, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) held Denver Mayor Mike Johnston accountable for his city's sanctuary city policies that have led to areas of increased crime , with millions of taxpayer dollars pulled away from city services to spend on illegal aliens and then shipping these aliens to places like Aurora, CO and Utah without notifying authorities . "It's shameful, but not surprising, that Denver Mayor Mike Johnston defended his city's Sanctuary City ordinance and refused to stand with local law enforcement officials from across Colorado who have demanded the repeal of Colorado's sanctuary state policies," said Congresswoman Boebert. "Mayor Johnston has touted Denver as a model for illegal aliens, but he's simply shifted the problem to places like Aurora while hanging those communities out to dry as dangerous gang members terrorize their neighborhoods. Our state cannot afford to continue supporting sanctuary city policies; changes must be made and if they won't happen at the state and local level, I will work directly with the Trump Administration to elicit changes from the federal level." Watch the full segment of questioning from Rep. Boebert HERE . Rep. Boebert highlighted a lawsuit filed by Douglas County Commissioners , which was joined by Elbert County and other counties across Colorado, to repeal the harmful state policies that prevent increased coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials. Mayor Johnston confirmed he was in support of these harmful laws. She also criticized the 2017 Denver "Sanctuary City" ordinance that prohibits City of Denver employees from speaking to federal immigration officers in the absence of a warrant and would result in their termination, which Mayor Johnston has continued to support. BACKGROUND READING The Gazette: Denver's Mayor Offloads Immigrants Into Aurora City Journal: Chaos in Aurora 9News: Denver Passes Immigration Ordinance Restricting City Cooperation with ICE KDVR: Johnston Highlights State Laws Restricting ICE Cooperation CPR: Douglas County Commissioners File Lawsuit Over Colorado's Immigration Laws Denver7: Utah Governor Calls Out Denver Mayor For Busing Illegal Aliens to State Issues : Getting Things Done Border Security Oversight and Accountability Standing up for Local Communities