ICE in Hudson: A Town at the Center of Immigration Debate

HUDSON, Colo. — A quiet farming community northeast of Denver has become the latest focal point in Colorado’s ongoing debate over immigration detention.

After the Department of Homeland Security awarded GEO Group a federal contract worth up to $528.6 million over five years to reopen a former prison outside Hudson as an immigration detention center, dozens of residents, advocates, and community members gathered outside Hudson Town Hall to voice their concerns.

Some speakers shared personal stories about loved ones currently being held in immigration detention. Others discussed international human rights, constitutional protections, and the role of private companies in immigration enforcement. While many who attended traveled from communities across the Front Range, organizers said the issue extends beyond Hudson, reflecting broader concerns about immigration detention throughout Colorado.

The new facility comes as Colorado’s existing immigration detention system continues to face renewed scrutiny. In recent weeks, health officials confirmed an active tuberculosis case at the GEO-operated Aurora detention facility, prompting additional screening among detainees and staff. Days later, an off-duty GEO Group employee was arrested after police say he shot and wounded a protester outside the facility, bringing renewed attention to immigration detention in the state.

Federal officials say immigration detention allows ICE to safely house people while their immigration cases move through the courts and helps ensure they appear for legal proceedings or removal when required by law. Advocates argue the system relies too heavily on private detention, separates families, and creates incentives that prioritize profits over people.

Town officials say many details about the Hudson project, including its timeline, remain outside the town’s control. This feature includes voices from protesters, organizers, and community members as Hudson prepares to become home to Colorado’s newest immigration detention center, exploring how one federal decision is reshaping a small Colorado town.

This story aired on A Public Affair, KGNU’s weekday morning show featuring in-depth discussions on local news issues. Click here to listen to other episodes of A Public Affair.