ICE Arrests Surge in Colorado as State Prepares More Detention Beds

ICE arrests in Colorado reached their highest level in over a year. This occurs as the state prepares more space for migrant detainees. A new facility near Denver will expand that capacity soon.

How many people did ICE arrest in Colorado in July?

According to an analysis by Axios Denver, ICE detained approximately 500 people in Colorado during July. That figure represents the highest monthly level recorded in over a year.

The analysis was based on data from the Deportation Data Project. Therefore, it reflects official information processed independently.

What is the Big Horn Facility and when will it open?

The new facility is called Big Horn Facility and is located in Hudson, northeast of Denver. It will have capacity for 1,188 detainees once it becomes operational.

GEO Group will administer this facility, the same company that operates another center in Aurora. The company expects to activate it before 2026 ends.

Additionally, GEO obtained in July a five-year contract with ICE for this center. The company estimates revenue of approximately $85 million during the first full year.

What will Colorado’s total detention capacity be?

With both facilities operating, Colorado will surpass 2,700 beds of migrant detention capacity. That figure is higher than the 1,532 beds that GEO currently administers for ICE in the state.

Therefore, the new facility represents a significant increase in total capacity. This occurs just as arrests are already showing a recent increase.

Is the increase in arrests spreading to other states?

Yes, Colorado is not the only state in the region experiencing this phenomenon. Federal data also shows arrest highs in Arizona and Nevada.

Additionally, an increase in detentions carried out directly in streets and communities was recorded. This pattern appears to be repeating in several western states.

What happened specifically in Utah?

In Utah, ICE arrested 3,467 people between January and July of 2026. In the same period the previous year, the figure was 2,116 people.

Therefore, the increase was nearly 64% in that year-over-year comparison. According to data cited by KUER, that trend also included more detentions in community spaces.

Of that group detained on streets and in communities, 54% had no criminal charges or convictions on record. That figure generated additional attention regarding the profile of detained individuals.

What criticism has the expansion in Colorado received?

Democratic Senator John Hickenlooper questioned the growth of this detention infrastructure. According to him, the federal government should abandon the Hudson project.

The legislator argued that the facility could hinder detainees’ access to their lawyers. It could also complicate contact with family members during the immigration process.

Additionally, in May, Hickenlooper reported that ICE denied him access to the facilities. This occurred during a supervisory visit when the center was still closed.

For its part, GEO Group maintains that the facility will meet a growing federal need. According to the company, more beds are required for current immigration processing.

How does this compare to national figures?

Colorado’s record coincides with a nationwide increase in ICE arrests.