[REVISION HISTORY]

GEO detention issues: TB outbreak, lawsuits, NJ probe

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-14 13:44 UTC → 2026-08-20 14:11 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In mid‑July 2026, health officials confirmed a tuberculosis outbreak at the GEO‑run ICE detention pod in Aurora, Colorado, testing all 88 detainees and identifying at least 12 infections. The pod was placed under quarantine while the facility’s air‑conditioning failed during a heat advisory. The Adams County Health Department issued a public‑health order demanding medical records and access, which GEO missed by July 17. Community groups have urged Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser to mandate cooperation, as ICE has cited federal jurisdiction to block investigations. On August 1, GEO Group filed a federal lawsuit to block Colorado’s House Bill 26‑1276, which would impose new health and safety inspection requirements at the Aurora site. GEO’s attorneys argue the law unfairly singles out the Aurora facility and conflicts with existing federal contracts. By August 10, Colorado officials were seeking to compel GEO Group to grant investigators access to conduct a full epidemiological investigation, with proposed measures allowing the state attorney general to impose fines of up to $50,000 for denied access. During this period, detainees reported being sickened by odors resembling natural gas; GEO Group characterized these reports as a ‘malicious prank,’ while Xcel Energy found no gas hazards. On August 14, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued a new public health order demanding detailed information on all individuals who tested positive for or were exposed to tuberculosis. While ICE and GEO Group claimed one confirmed case was isolated and treated, state officials have been unable to independently verify these claims and expressed concern regarding potential spread among the 400 employees and released detainees. ~~Separately, New Jersey~~ On August 20, Colorado Attorney General ~~Jennifer Davenport has expanded a civil‑rights probe into GEO’s Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark following a pattern of three deaths in less than~~ Phil Weiser filed a ~~year.~~ lawsuit against The GEO Group for failing to comply with state public health orders.

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