By Quentin Young | editor
“Today, state and local law enforcement can truthfully tell victims and witnesses that we do not participate in federal, civil immigration enforcement ... If this passes, we would no longer be able to do that.”
– John Walsh, Denver district attorney
Denver District Attorney John Walsh speaks against Amendment 81 at the Colorado Capitol on Sept. 10, 2026. (Photo by Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)
By Sara Wilson
Colorado voters will weigh in on a constitutional amendment this fall that would require law enforcement to more closely cooperate with federal immigration authorities. If passed, Amendment 81 would compel law enforcement to figure out if a person charged with a crime is “lawfully present” in the country, and tell the U.S. Department of Homeland Security within three days if someone in their custody lacks proper legal status or if they are unsure after attempting to find out. It would apply to people charged with violent crimes or if the person has a previous felony conviction.
Children’s Hospital Colorado is pictured on June 23, 2026, at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. (Photo by Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)
By Lindsey Toomer
On the first day of a contempt of court hearing, attorneys for Children’s Hospital Colorado and families of transgender kids outlined their conflicting opinions of what compliance looks like with a court order that directed the hospital to resume gender-affirming care for patients under 18.
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 13, 2026. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
By Jennifer Shutt
President Donald Trump tried to maintain power following his loss in the 2020 election by exerting pressure on state election officials to, in some cases, “find” the votes. Loyalist Republicans in Congress then attempted to deny Joe Biden the Oval Office when lawmakers gathered to certify the Electoral College, bringing to light loopholes and deficiencies in the law that could have denied voters their choice. Similar flaws exist for U.S. House elections. With concern mounting among GOP lawmakers they may lose control of that chamber following November’s midterm elections, it is not a stretch to imagine state officials could, once again, receive calls from the White House or powerful Republicans in Congress.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
How 9/11 changed the way America surveils its citizens | By Amanda Watford
States sue feds over endangered species rollbacks | By Alex Brown
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