Castle Rock Considers Lawsuit Against Denver Over Migrant Policies: Local Leaders and Communities Divided

The Castle Rock Town Council recently took a significant step by unanimously voting to explore legal action against the city of Denver over its handling of migrant policies. This move reflects growing concerns in Castle Rock and other municipalities over the impacts of Denver’s approach to managing the influx of migrants arriving from the southern border. Other nearby towns, including Parker and Aurora, may also consider similar legal actions, potentially uniting in a broader pushback.

Since December 2022, Denver has reportedly served more than 42,000 migrants from the southern border. Although the number of new arrivals has significantly decreased—fewer than 160 new migrants arrived in August—the strain on resources remains a point of contention. As the migrant numbers swell, some communities feel the ripple effects of Denver’s policies, prompting local leaders to take action.

The motion to explore a lawsuit was spearheaded by Castle Rock Town Council member Max Brooks, who introduced it during a town council meeting on September 3. With unanimous support, the council directed its attorney to investigate the possibility of taking legal action against Denver. However, the scope and nature of the potential lawsuit remain unclear. Castle Rock may either initiate its own legal proceedings or join an existing lawsuit against the state of Colorado, which several other counties have already pursued.

Earlier this year, counties such as Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Garfield, Mesa, and Rio Blanco filed a lawsuit against the state of Colorado and Governor Jared Polis. They challenged state laws that prevent local governments from collaborating with federal immigration authorities, arguing that such restrictions hinder their ability to address the influx of migrants effectively. Castle Rock and its neighboring municipalities may follow a similar path, raising questions about local governance and federal immigration enforcement policies.

For Councilmember Brooks, the core issue is not about seeking financial compensation from Denver but about mitigating the perceived negative impacts on communities along the Front Range. “I don’t want a dime from Denver,” Brooks said. “I just don’t want them to continue a policy that is having a negative impact on the Front Range.”

Despite these strong sentiments, it’s unclear how many, if any, migrants have relocated to Douglas County, where Castle Rock is located. Brooks, however, stressed the importance of preparedness, comparing the situation to preparing for a storm. “You don’t wait until the hurricane is on you to board up your windows and leave town. We understand that there is a storm coming,” he said.

Brooks’ concerns are echoed by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, which recently arrested 11 car thieves, three of whom were identified as Venezuelan nationals. This news has stirred anxiety on social media, fueling the argument that the migrant situation is contributing to rising crime. “It is happening; we are having issues here in Douglas County. We are having migrants come in here, and there have been instances of crime,” Brooks added.

Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly praised the collaborative efforts of his deputies and the Aurora Police Department in apprehending the suspects. He urged residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. “We need the community’s help to prevent crimes of opportunity. Lock your cars and your homes,” Sheriff Weekly said. “Some of these thieves are armed and dangerous. Do not confront them. Call 911. The last thing we want is for someone to get hurt.”

Some residents, like one Castle Rock father who spoke to CBS News Colorado, are concerned that the criminal activities linked to certain migrants in Aurora could spill over into their community. He supports the town’s decision to explore legal action as a way of safeguarding local safety.

However, not everyone in Douglas County is on board with the idea of a lawsuit. Resident Lynne Clements told CBS Colorado that she has not noticed a large number of migrants in the county and does not feel that a lawsuit is warranted. “We’re the eighth richest county in the United States of America. I feel we have a moral obligation to be welcoming to people who may have come from a country that we have no idea about living in Douglas County,” she said, expressing her belief that most migrants are refugees or asylum seekers seeking better lives.

While Brooks has expressed empathy for asylum seekers, his primary concern remains the capacity of Denver to manage the crisis. “This isn’t about labeling and saying the migrants need to be deported. It’s not about that. It’s about stopping and making sure we’re not bringing in any more when obviously Denver is not able to handle what’s already happened,” Brooks said.

The next steps will involve attorneys from the interested municipalities meeting to discuss potential legal strategies. Brooks emphasized that other Colorado towns and counties are welcome to join in these discussions, signaling that this may evolve into a broader, more coordinated effort against Denver’s policies.

This situation also highlights an issue that resonates with criminal defense attorneys, especially those in Castle Rock. A Castle Rock criminal defense attorney might be keenly interested in how these policies and potential lawsuits shape law enforcement’s approach to migrants in the area. As migration issues become entangled with crime prevention strategies, the legal landscape for defending migrants or others charged with crimes may shift. A criminal defense attorney could play a critical role in ensuring that individuals’ rights are protected amid these broader political and legal conflicts.