Recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the Denver metro area and across the nation has sparked rumors of an ICE presence across the Western Slope, including here in Grand County.

In January, the Trump administration repealed the “sensitive locations” policy, which named spaces like schools and hospitals as safe from ICE arrests, interviews, surveillance and more, leaving immigrant communities feeling confused and scared.

Tensions were high in Grand County after a Facebook user posted that they saw an ICE vehicle parked in Winter Park. However, multiple local law enforcement agencies said they were not aware of any ICE activity, the post appears to have been deleted, and the user did not respond to questions from Sky-Hi News.

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In response to these anxieties, the East Grand School District sent out a letter to families saying that the school district is “deeply committed to creating a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for every child in our schools.”

The one-page letter reminds community members about the U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe, which decided that all children are entitled to a free public education.

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“This means school districts do not deny any child living within their school boundaries access to school, nor are we allowed to collect immigration-related information,” the letter reads.

In regard to sharing information about students, the letter states that the district will not share personal information unless required by law. Sensitive student information cannot be released without parent or guardian consent or a court order.

East Grand Middle School Principal Jenny Rothboeck wrote in an email that if the school is presented with a “warrant that is valid and verified,” then the school would comply.

Parents and guardians are also encouraged to update emergency contact information through Alma, the district’s online student information system, or by contacting their school’s main office. Children can be released only to individuals authorized by parents or guardians.

“Keeping this information up to date ensures that only trusted individuals can pick up students in an emergency,” the letter writes.

Local agencies ‘unaware’ of ICE activity

Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin confirmed through the agency’s communications director, Erin Opsahl, that he has been in direct contact with ICE officials. He stated that the agency’s primary focus remains on individuals who pose public safety and national security threats, but he didn’t share any specific information regarding what the conversations have entailed.

“Current legislation limits local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with ICE, and we are monitoring pending legislation in hopes that it provides clarity for all,” Opsahl wrote in an email.

Opsahl also said that the sheriff’s office has received several inquires from residents about ICE activity but that the agency is “unaware of anything specifically related to Grand County.” 

Fraser Winter Park Police Department Chief Glen Trainor explained that local law enforcement in Grand County will assist ICE agents with arrests if the agency provides a warrant signed by a judge for any violation of local, state or federal law.

“It is the policy of the Fraser Winter Park Police Department that all members make personal and professional commitments to equal enforcement of the law and equal service to the public,” Trainor wrote. “Confidence in this commitment will increase the effectiveness of this department in protecting and serving the entire community and recognizing the dignity of all persons, regardless of their national origin or immigration status.”

In Colorado, local law enforcement officers are not permitted to serve as agents of ICE in conducting immigration enforcement because of Colorado legislation. In July 2024, the Colorado Court of Appeals upheld that local law enforcement agencies in Colorado are prohibited from arresting or detaining people based on their immigration status.

However, agents will sometimes issue an immigration detainer, which is a request from ICE that asks law enforcement agencies — including jails and prisons — to notify the requesting agency as early as possible before they release someone potentially living in the country illegally or to hold the individual for an additional 48 hours.

Kremmling Police Chief Jesse Lisenby said the Kremmling Police Department follows the same rules as other Colorado police departments. He said his most recent interaction with ICE agents was a couple of years ago when they were looking for an individual with a warrant.

He also acknowledged the fears that many are having right now, especially in the Hispanic community.

“I’ve been made aware that plenty — primarily in the Hispanic community — are fearful for calling the police to report victimizations or other issues they’re having in their communities over fear that we’re going to go drag them off and turn them over to immigrations,” Lisenby said. “And I’ll tell you, my entire career as a police officer, I’ve never been party to a deportation. This is not what we do. That doesn’t happen at the local police level.”

Granby Chief of Police Dave Shaffer echoed similar sentiments and said the Granby Police Department “does not stop, arrest, search, detain or continue to detain a person solely based on an individual’s citizenship or immigration status.”

“The Granby Police Department believes that to encourage crime reporting and cooperation in the investigation of criminal activity, all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, must feel secure that contacting or being addressed by members of law enforcement will not automatically lead to immigration inquiries and/or deportation,” Shaffer wrote.