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Proposed ICE Detention Facility in Hudson; Lee Fire Grows Stronger Jack Armstrong
Headlines Tuesday August 13, 2025
ICE Proposes New facility in the Denver Metro
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement told Colorado Democratic members of congress that they plan to open a detention facility in the Denver MetroThe newly proposed ICE facility site is the former Hudson Correctional Facility, a private prison that’s been closed since 2014. The Denver Post is reporting members of the state’s congressional delegation were told of the plans during a visit to ICE’s Aurora Processing Center on Monday.
The facility was previously operated by the GEO Group, the same company running the Aurora facility. The property is now owned by Highlands REIT, a Chicago-based real estate investment trust, which offered it to ICE earlier this year.
The move comes as immigration arrests have surged in the state this year, and after Congress approved $45 billion for new detention centers as part of President Donald Trump’s tax bill.
If reopened, it could hold up to 1,250 people, nearly doubling ICE’s detention capacity in the state. Local and state officials, including Governor Jared Polis, say they’ve received no details from the agency and are calling for greater transparency.
Last Minute Petition Sent to Federal Government Could Soften Big Beautiful Bill’s Effect on Healthcare Funding in Colorado
Amid federal healthcare funding cuts, The Colorado Sun is reporting a last minute funding application submitted by the state of Colorado that could dredge up to 378 million dollars in federal funding per year.
The timing would allow for funding that the state requested in the application to be designated as ‘legacy programs’. The goal of that would mean the funds would not be limited under directives made in the ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’
The saved funds would only be a drop in the ocean, as Colorado is slated to lose federal healthcare funding, which The Sun says could amount to nearly 2.5 billion dollars annually by 2032. On top of this, administrative rules regarding who is covered by medicaid could mean an added loss of 3 billion dollars more for the state.
Wildfire Update – Lee Fire Grows Stronger
The Lee fire has increased by more than 3,500 acre across northwestern Colorado, as it is putting infrastructure in danger. The fire in Rio Blanco County has burned 116,859 acres southwest of Meeker.
With hot and dry weather approaching, fire crews has been working on securing the homes surrounding. As of Monday morning, the containment of the fire has dropped down to 6 percent.
The goal is to prevent the wildfire from crossing Colorado 13, after it has made its way down an 8-mile stretch down the highway. Operations section chief Fred Tucker with the Rocky Mountain command team said the perimeter of the fire is 170 acres and firefighters are facing extremely active fire behavior.
On the other hand, the Elk fire burning east of Meeker has reached 30 percent containment, although it has burned 15,549 acres.
Six Wyoming Counties Lost Local Newspapers Last Week
(Courtesy of KHOL)
Six counties in Wyoming lost local news outlets last week. Employees at the Pinedale Roundup opened an email saying, Illinois based news Media Corporation was immediately closing its doors, citing an economic downturn, rising costs, and the failed attempt of a sale in Wyoming and Nebraska.
Nine communities are losing local newsrooms and 30 employees have been fired.
According to a Torrington Telegram, post KA O’Hare led the Roundup for three years. And I’m heartbroken for my community and for all my colleagues. O’Hare is more worried about the State’s local news scene. She says There are no longer any newspapers in sublet and Uinta counties. We all deserve so much better than this.Our communities deserved better than this. Other counties losing one or more news outlets include Goshen, Niobrara and Platet Counties. The parent company owners did not respond to requests for comment.
Colorado Springs City Council Updated on Front Range Rail Plans
The Front Range Rail District updated Colorado Springs City Council about their proposed rail project’s extension to the springs at the beginning of this week, Councilmembers heard how the rail district plans to start work on the extension after the Denver-to-Fort Collins leg is completed in 2029.
According to Colorado Politics, the council members were underwhelmed by the pitch after hearing how the estimated travel time from Colorado Springs to Denver would be an hour and forty-five minutes.
In response to the council’s attitude toward the project, Interim General Manager Chrissy Breit said, “In 20 years from now, that travel time is probably going to feel really good…” referencing that the city’s growth will drive up road congestion.
The Springs council members remain skeptical on if the rail district will be able to sustain itself on fair fees and support from current local government backers. State legislature has already passed two bills that will collect fees to support the passenger rail project.
