Woodland Park joined an avalanche of Pikes Peak area governments in declaring its status as a non-sanctuary city.

In recent weeks, Green Mountain Falls, Monument, Palmer Lake, Colorado Springs and El Paso County have all passed similar resolutions.

While the resolution does not have the power of law and is primarily a political statement, it is a powerful one.

It called upon President Joe Biden “to take immediate and effective action to secure the border and enforce immigration laws.” Woodland Park remains supportive of legal immigration and immigrants who entered the country legally.

The resolution was harsh in its criticism of sanctuary cities’ refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

As of early March, Denver, which is a sanctuary city, had seen nearly 40,000 new immigrant arrivals in the past 14 months, according to previous reporting by The Denver Gazette.

Generally speaking, a sanctuary city is a designation given to municipalities and counties that establish policies to discourage local law enforcement from reporting an individual’s immigration status to federal authorities.

Below is the full text of the resolution:

CITY OF WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO RESOLUTION NO. 920, SERIES 2024 A RESOLUTION REGARDING MIGRANT RESPONSE AND DECLARING STATUS AS A NON-SANCTUARY CITY

WHEREAS, the City of Woodland Park (“City”) is a home rule municipality duly organized and existing under Article XX of the Colorado Constitution and the City’s Home Rule Charter approved by the electors in 1977 (“Charter”); and

WHEREAS, a “Sanctuary City” is a jurisdiction that limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities, limits or fails to provide information about immigration status and limits the length of immigration detainers; and

WHEREAS, the City believes in and is committed to securing the border, enforcing immigration laws to protect the community, and upholding the laws of the State of Colorado and the principles of the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the City have expressed concern over the transport of migrants entering the country illegally into the City’s jurisdictional limits, which may compromise the safety, well-being, and resources of City residents.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO THAT:

Section 1. Incorporation. The recitals set forth above are incorporated and resolved as if set forth in this section in full.

Section 2. Statements Regarding Migrant Response. The City hereby makes the following statements regarding migrant response:

(i) The transport of migrants entering the country illegally into the City may compromise the safety, well-being, and resources of its residents; and

(ii) The City calls upon the President of the United States to take immediate and effective action to secure the border and enforce immigration laws to address the concerns of the community; and

(iii) The City recognizes the importance of legal immigration and welcomes individuals to apply through the legal process; and

(iv) The City encourages open dialogue and collaboration with state and federal authorities to address immigration concerns and work towards solutions that align with the wellbeing and safety of the community; and

(v) The City urges its residents to support and uphold the principles of legal immigration, respecting the laws and processes in place; and

(vi) The City hereby declares itself a “non-sanctuary” City. Section 3. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective and be in full force and effect immediately upon approval.

PASSED AND RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Woodland Park, Teller County, Colorado, this 21st day of March, 2024. WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO Attest: By: Hilary LaBarre, Mayor