Colorado sues to halt planned immigration detention center in Hudson

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to halt the remodeling and opening of a planned immigration detention facility in Hudson, located northeast of Denver. The legal action names the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and its leadership as defendants.

The lawsuit alleges that the federal government failed to fulfill legal obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to conduct necessary analyses regarding the facility's impact. Specifically, officials argue that the expansion could affect air quality, animal populations, and local infrastructure, including drinking water and wastewater systems. The proposed facility, known as the Big Horn immigration detention center, is intended to hold approximately 1,200 detainees.

State officials are seeking a preliminary injunction to stop renovations at the former private prison until required environmental reviews are completed and shared with the state. The lawsuit also challenges a five-year, $528.7 million contract signed with the GEO Group to operate the center. This marks the third legal challenge to the facility, following previous lawsuits filed by immigrant rights groups regarding environmental reviews and local zoning regulations.