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Colorado Democrats aim to allow for ICE lawsuits, seek oversight of immigration detention centers

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Colorado Democrats aim to allow for ICE lawsuits, seek oversight of immigration detention centers


Twelve months into President Donald Trump’s mass-deportation program, Democratic lawmakers in Colorado are preparing a three-pronged package of bills aimed at regulating immigration enforcement and the detention facilities where authorities hold immigrants — and further tightening a law that Gov. Jared Polis tried to sidestep last summer.

The first bill in the package, Senate Bill 5, was introduced on Wednesday, the legislature’s first day back at work. It would give Coloradans who are injured during immigration enforcement actions the ability to sue federal officers, part of a burgeoning movement in states across the country.

“The world of the United States has changed — and not for the good, in terms of these issues,” said Sen. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat sponsoring the bill with Sen. Julie Gonzales of Denver. “Even since spring 2025, the tactics deployed by federal agents are getting more violent, more shocking, more violative of legitimate expectations of people in this country and of the law. By the day, it is increasingly urgent that we, at the very least, provide a remedy for that.”

The other two bills were still being drafted. They will likely be introduced in the state House in the coming weeks, lawmakers said.

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One would build upon legislation passed last year that further limited how local officials can share information with federal immigration authorities. The new bill would require that state agencies publicly release data requests from immigration officials, and it seeks to alert people whose data is being sought in those requests.

That follows directly on the heels of Polis’ attempts to comply with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement subpoena received by state officials in May. A judge ruled that complying with the subpoena — which sought records on the sponsors of unaccompanied immigrant children — would likely violate state law.

Polis, who has contended the subpoena was related to potential child abuse and exploitation, is still trying to find a way to turn over some records. Attorneys also argued in that litigation about whether anyone but the immigrants themselves had legal standing to file lawsuits, an argument complicated by the fact that immigrants are typically unaware that their data may be turned over at all.

“We’re also seeing an uptick of these unlawful detentions, and it’s important for us that everyone is safe in the state of Colorado,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, a Glenwood Springs Democrat. She’s sponsoring the second bill with Rep. Lorena Garcia. “It feels very urgent and of the times that, as we’re protecting the state against the Trump administration, we stand up for everyone that lives here.”

The bill would also institute tighter regulations on ICE’s only current detention center in the state, in Aurora, and on any others the agency opens.

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The third bill underscores that local law enforcement cannot wear masks in most cases, said Rep. Meg Froelich, an Englewood Democrat. But it would not apply to federal agents. This week, the Denver City Council began mulling a potential ordinance that would try to restrict federal agents from wearing face coverings when they carry out arrests and detentions.

Federal officials generally have challenged local and state governments’ attempts to regulate federal immigration and law enforcement activities.

The bills are all coming in response to aspects of the immigration crackdown that has unfolded since Trump returned to office. Thousands of immigrants without proper legal status have been arrested in Colorado over the past year, most of whom had no prior criminal convictions.

Renee Good, a Coloradan living in Minnesota, was shot and killed by an ICE agent earlier this month. Attorneys and advocates have repeatedly criticized the conditions in ICE’s detention center in Aurora and have protested against plans to open more facilities in parts of rural Colorado.

In the late spring, a University of Utah college student was arrested after a Mesa County sheriff’s deputy tipped off ICE officers to her location and immigration status. The deputy appeared to have violated state law limiting that type of contact, and he resigned amid a lawsuit by the state attorney general’s office.

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Garcia and Velasco said their bill would place liability on agencies, rather than individual state employees. That way, they said, an officer couldn’t just resign and end the case. Their bill would also require more transparency around task forces; the Mesa County deputy shared information with ICE in a task force group chat.

Other opening day legislation

Often, the first bills introduced in a legislative session represent the Democratic majority’s priorities and messaging. In addition to Weissman and Gonzales’ immigration bill, Democratic leadership unveiled dozens of bills Wednesday.

As expected, the Worker Protection Act — which would make it easier for organized workers to fully negotiate their union contracts without having to clear a second vote — was introduced again after Polis vetoed it last year. This year, it comes in the form of House Bill 1005.

Leadership also introduced Senate Bill 18, which would require state courts to suppress records of people who’ve changed their names — essentially keeping them private. The bill would also direct family court judges to weigh a parent’s acceptance of aspects of a child’s identity — such as their gender identity — when determining parental time. That’s a similar provision to one that was hotly debated in a transgender rights bill that was passed last year after the provision was stripped out.

House Speaker Julie McCluskie prepares to speak at the front of the House chamber to start the 2026 legislative session at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver, Colorado, on January 14, 2026. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)



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Colorado community reels after police say driver with revoked license hits three pedestrians, killing one

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Colorado community reels after police say driver with revoked license hits three pedestrians, killing one


A man already driving with a suspended license from a DUI is now accused of intentionally plowing into three people on a sidewalk in Colorado.

This happened near the intersection of East Wildcat Reserve Parkway and Willowbridge Way in Highlands Ranch around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

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CBS


Witnesses say that after the crash, the driver made a U-turn, went back to the scene, slowly drove past the wreckage, then left. That allowed another witness to follow him 5.5 miles down to Daniels Park, where just 15 minutes later, 28-year-old Adam Bauserman was taken into custody.

Bauserman’s demeanor was described by deputies as “unusually quiet.” At one point, he apparently asked, “Do you know if I killed the man?”

As it would turn out, the man survived, but his girlfriend did not. Flowers are piling up at the scene of a morning walk that turned deadly.

Right now, investigators don’t believe the driver knew any of those victims.

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“You expect to be safe when you’re walking on the sidewalk,” said neighbor Beth Chitel, who lived just yards from the crash site until she moved last month. “These are very highly trafficked pathways around here; it could have happened to any of our friends, any of our neighbors, any of our children.”

“This was a horrific scene,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly.

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CBS


Thirty-five-year-old Corrine More died in the crash. Her sister tells CBS Colorado she lived in the neighborhood and was out on a walk with her boyfriend. She describes Corrine as a nursing student with a big heart who was loved by everyone who knew her, and who was beautiful inside and out.

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Corrine’s boyfriend, 30-year-old Kyle Vasey, was seriously injured. He has undergone multiple surgeries and was described by a doctor in the affidavit as being at substantial risk for permanent disfigurement or death.

The other victim is 72-year-old Dianne Windes. The sheriff says she was walking in the opposite direction from the couple. She was also hospitalized with serious injuries.

Witnesses believe the driver who crashed into the three pedestrians did so on purpose.

“If we can prove that, we’ll certainly do that, but at this point we have no indication of that,” Weekly said.

It was thanks to a witness who followed that truck that deputies arrested Bauserman, who was driving with a revoked license after a DUI last year.

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“Mr. Bauserman has had several revocations and suspensions of his license over the last 10 years,” Weekly said. “He should never have been on the roadway, and as a result of that, somebody is now deceased.”

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Douglas County Sheriff’s Office


Deputies did not detect immediate signs of intoxication but are waiting on blood test results.

Right now, investigators believe Bauserman was only traveling 3 mph over the speed limit, at about 48 mph in a 45 mph zone. That will need to be confirmed in the investigation.

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“He should never have been on the roadway, period. And so, the fact that somebody in our community has been lost in such a tragic, horrible way. How many lives have been destroyed by this selfish act?” Weekly asked.

“I want to express my sympathies to the families, and yeah, we’re here to support you as a community, and we’re by your side,” said Chitel.

Neighbor Beth Chitel started an online fundraiser for the victims.

“The last thing that the family should be having to worry about right now is the bills that are coming,” said Chitel.

The sheriff says that 15 to 20 community members stepped up to help in the aftermath of this tragedy.

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Chitel says the community has been hurt by other recent tragedies, like the death of 13-year-old Alex Mackiewicz, who was hit while in the crosswalk on his way to school. That fatal crash happened just over a mile away from this one.

“Something really needs to be done. The community is well aware of the safety issues posed there, of course. Again, we don’t expect them on the sidewalk,” said Chitel. “We need more crosswalks; we could use more stoplights. We need more safety measures put in place because, in general, it’s really not a safe road. People speed on it.”

“It’s absolutely horrible. As the sheriff, I have done a lot to increase traffic enforcement. We’ve almost doubled the size of our traffic unit. I expect my folks to be out there and be productive and ensure the safety of our citizens. These tragedies, certainly back to back, are heartbreaking for everybody involved, it shouldn’t happen,” Weekly said.

Three families are forever changed, a community is left with questions, and the investigation is just beginning.

“We need to make sure that we do our job well, and that we get justice for all these victims,” Weekly said.

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Bauserman is being held on charges including vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Preliminary charges Bauserman is facing include the following seven felonies and one misdemeanor:

  • Vehicular homicide
  • Failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving death
  • Failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury (two counts)
  • Vehicular assault (two counts)
  • Assault in the second degree – crimes to at-risk persons
  • Driving a motor vehicle with a license is under restraint (express consent refusal/DUI conviction)

These charges could change based on the results of the blood tests and additional information that is garnered through the investigation.

A judge set Bauserman’s bond at $100,000.

As the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office says anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective Pereira at bpereira@dcsheriff.net or call (303) 660-7537.

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Eagle Rock Ranch

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Eagle Rock Ranch


When Dave and Jean Gottenborg met as teenagers wrangling horses in Estes Park, they dreamed of one day running a ranch together. That dream fell by the wayside for decades until 2012, when the couple purchased Eagle Rock Ranch in the Tarryall Valley.

Talking about the Gottenborg’s ranch means deliberately avoiding words like “owners” and “ownership.” The couple “manage” their land — their preferred term — through the conservationist lens of thinkers like Wendell Berry and Aldo Leopold. Visitors are welcome on the land (see some basic guidelines here), and they sell their beef by the cut, box and share at their family-owned mercantile in Fairplay.



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Where to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels: TV channel, start time, streaming for Jun. 02

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Where to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels: TV channel, start time, streaming for Jun. 02


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The 2026 MLB season has surpassed the quarter mark, and after each team’s first 40 games, there’s plenty of reasons to tune in all summer long.

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami has already proven doubters wrong by launching 17 home runs, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes consistently looks like the best version of himself on the mound and Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski is throwing harder than any starter in the majors.

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The MLB action continues on Tuesday as the Colorado Rockies visit the Los Angeles Angels.

Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.

See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.

What time is Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels?

First pitch between the Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, Jun. 02.

How to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:33 a.m.

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Watch MLB all season long with Fubo

MLB regional blackout restrictions apply

MLB scores, results

MLB scores for Jun. 02 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:

See scores, results for all of today’s games.



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