Colorado
Federal judge extends order restricting Trump’s use of Alien Enemies Act in Colorado
A federal judge in Denver has extended the temporary restraining order restricting the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan immigrants from Colorado under the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act.
In a new order issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney said the Trump administration and immigration officials must provide a 21-day notice if they plan to use the act to deport Venezuelans detained in Colorado. Detainees must also be given a chance to contest their removal.
Sweeney said the current terms of the restraining order will expire May 6, but may be extended at her discretion.
The restraining order granted last week blocked federal officials from removing “noncitizens in custody in the District of Colorado who were, are or will be subject to” President Donald Trump’s invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act from both the state and the country.
“Such notice must state the government intends to remove individuals pursuant to the Act and Proclamation,” Sweeney wrote of the new 21-day requirement. “It must also provide notice of a right to seek judicial review, and inform individuals they may consult an attorney regarding their detainment and the government’s intent to remove them. Such notice must be written in a language the individual understands.”
Sweeney said the government failed to meet these standards before, at most providing one phone call to detainees and a verbal notice of what was happening that wasn’t guaranteed to be in a language they understood.
The government’s previous notice procedure also gave no timeframe for the removal process and didn’t inform the individual how to — or even that they could — contest their removal, Sweeney said.
Federal officials still cannot remove immigrants from Colorado to avoid complying with the restraining order, she wrote.
Sweeney approved the first temporary restraining order last week after the American Civil Liberties Union sued President Donald Trump and members of his administration on behalf of two Venezuelan men, “and others similarly situated,” who have been accused of being part of the Tren de Aragua gang.
The ACLU said the men feared “imminent risk of removal” under Trump’s proclamation “without any hearing or meaningful review.”
According to Tuesday’s order, the ACLU has officially requested the court to allow its lawsuit to proceed as a class action on behalf of the entire group affected by Trump’s proclamation. Government officials have until April 28 to respond to the ACLU’s motion.
When Trump used the proclamation to invoke the Alien Enemies Act in March, he said Venezuelans who are members of the TdA gang and who are not lawful residents of the U.S. “are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured and removed as Alien Enemies.”
The administration has used the act to send immigrants to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador — including, according to ACLU of Colorado legal director Tim Macdonald, at least 11 Colorado residents.
While government attorneys said during a Monday hearing that immigration authorities are not currently trying to remove the two Venezuelan plaintiffs under the Alien Enemies Act, Sweeney said that could change “at any time.” There “is no definite evidence” that immigration officials won’t change their status in the coming weeks, she wrote Tuesday.
“The consequences here would be extremely grave if I denied the (temporary restraining order) and two days later, upon finding ‘new evidence,’ these two individuals are designated as TdA and subject to removal,” Sweeney said during Monday’s hearing.
She said Tuesday that the restraining order does “little more” than ensure that the government adheres to the requirements already laid out by law and the U.S. Supreme Court: to give people enough time and notice to pursue relief through due process.
Sweeney also wrote Tuesday that “skepticism” of Trump’s proclamation “is required.”
The basis of the Alien Enemies Act and Trump’s use of it in his proclamation do not match up, the judge wrote.
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An investigation is underway after authorities found a body near a picnic area in western Colorado last weekend that appears to have been eaten by a bear.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office says the human remains were located on Sunday near the Wild Rose Picnic Area off Lands End Road on the Grand Mesa. Investigators say the remains were scavenged and scattered, and they believe the person was consumed by a bear and other wildlife.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office is working to identify the person and officially determine their cause of death.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who was in the area of the Wild Rose Campground between June 22 and July 5, 2026, and noticed anything suspicious to contact Investigator Jenna Reed at (970) 244-3274.
They added that Colorado Parks and Wildlife believes there is no threat to the community at this time.
The area is home to black bears, and the MCSO shared several guidelines for the community to prevent human-bear conflicts:
- Stay alert and together: Go with others when possible, keep children in sight and close by, and avoid using headphones so you can hear your surroundings.
- Food safety: Double-bag food, pack out all food and trash, and don’t burn scraps and trash in fire rings/grills or leave them behind.
- Pet safety: Keep dogs on a leash at all times or leave them at home; don’t force a bear to defend itself.
- Camping safety: Set up camps away from dense cover or natural food sources and do not cook or store food near/in a tent. Secure food in bear-resistant containers or suspend at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet away from any part of the tree.
- Know how to respond: Don’t approach bears; quietly move away. Never run, as it may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, wave your arms, and yell until it leaves. Stay with your group, use bear spray, and fight back aggressively if necessary.
- Bear spray: Carry bear spray and know how to use it correctly. It’s not repellent; don’t spray your tent, campsite, or belongings.
Damage assessments are still ongoing for homes and businesses affected by the Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado, but over 200 homes have been confirmed destroyed so far. The United Way of Southern Colorado is working to raise relief funds for those affected and says it’s making progress towards its fundraising goal.
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said they’ve assessed approximately 67% of the properties affected in the county. Authorities have confirmed the loss of 192 homes and four commercial structures so far and are working to contact property owners as quickly as possible.
Lucero urged everyone affected by the fire to use the survivor portal for more information on assistance.
Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith says they’ve lost approximately 83 homes so far, almost 2% of the county’s homes. The worst hit area is along the Highway 165 corridor, Smith added. He said that authorities don’t expect any new evacuation areas, but are not yet ready to release the existing evacuation orders.
Smith said a hotline is available during business hours for affected Custer County Residents to ask questions. He urged residents to contact them at (719) 467-0271 and advised they may need to leave a voicemail if the line is busy due to the high number of calls.
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas near the burn scar, which could affect nearby homes.
The President of the United Way of Southern Colorado, Shanna Farmer, said the organization is working to raise wildfire relief funds for those affected. Over the last few days, they have reached just over $417,000 of their $10 million goal.
“It has been incredible, the number of individuals and companies who have come out to support, to provide matches, and to provide innovative ways to raise those funds,” said Farmer. “And so, I encourage anyone who is willing to work with us on a corporate, business, or individual level to please reach out because it is going to take all of us to help rebuild.”
Farmer said that the community not only needs help with their immediate needs but also long-term support. She urged anyone interested in donating to visit their website.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office says anyone who has evacuated needs to contact the Disaster Assistance Center located at 29 Lehigh Ave. in Pueblo. The center is open between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. and provides multiple resources for those forced to evacuate.
Residents must also visit the center to obtain a re-entry pass, which will allow them to return home once evacuation orders have been lifted. A photo ID and proof of residency are required. Visitors can sign up online to reserve a place in line for faster service.
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