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We promote policies that improve the economic well-being of Colorado immigrants so that all Coloradans have access to the resources and opportunities to allow them to reach their full potential.

Advancing Policies for Inclusive Prosperity

Broadly shared prosperity means that all Coloradans, regardless of their immigration status, have access to the opportunities and resources needed to thrive.

Immigrants are vital to Colorado’s economy and communities. They work in essential industries, run businesses that keep downtowns vibrant, and contribute over $54 billion annually to our state’s economic output. As our population ages, immigrants play a critical role in meeting workforce demands, particularly in healthcare, technology, and hospitality.

By supporting inclusive and equitable policies, we can grow Colorado’s economy, strengthen our communities, and foster shared prosperity for generations to come.

What We Do:

  • Research and Advocacy: We provide data-driven insights that highlight immigrants' contributions to Colorado's economy and counter misinformation.
  • Policy Development: We promote policies that support immigrant families, such as equitable access to public services and economic opportunities.
  • Economic Justice: CFI works to ensure that immigration policies are rooted in fairness and strengthen the economy for everyone.

Immigrants Power Colorado's Economy

Timeline of Resistance and Community Movements

In Colorado, we have witnessed a dynamic history of triumphs and challenges in immigration policies. Despite its conservative roots and a surge in anti-immigration sentiment fueled by local politics, our state has significantly changed laws and procedures to make Colorado a safer and more inclusive place.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of community members, advocacy leaders, political figures, and research organizations, Colorado is now leading the way in creating a welcoming environment for our immigrant community to thrive.

This timeline highlights critical milestones that have revolutionized how Colorado immigrants are welcomed and integrated into our communities. We hope this tool showcases the remarkable progress achieved and inspires the implementation of more inclusive policies in the years to come.

2022
Leading the nation

Colorado becomes a national leader with SB22-234 extending unemployment-like benefits to undocumented workers and HB22-1289 expanding health coverage for immigrant families.

2021
A New Era of Inclusion
  • Historic progress includes repealing the 2006 public benefits ban (SB21-199) and expanding access to professional licenses regardless of immigration status (SB21-077).
  • HB21-1194 establishes one of the nation’s first Immigration Legal Defense Funds, ensuring legal representation for immigrants.
  • Legislation that outlaws the sharing of information without a judicial warrant passes and is one of the strongest data privacy protection laws in the country.
2020
Fighting for Inclusion
  • Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, Colorado passes SB20-215, creating a health insurance affordability fund for uninsured individuals, including undocumented residents.
  • HB20-1420 expands tax credits to ITIN filers, making Colorado the first state to include undocumented workers in such benefits
2017-2019
Stronger Together
  • Community advocacy strengthens resistance to federal immigration policies, with the introduction of Virginia's Law to limit ICE collaboration (though it does not pass). Grassroots efforts successfully challenge illegal ICE detentions in court.
  • Pro-immigrant momentum grows, culminating in new protections like HB19-1124, which prohibits information sharing between probation officers and ICE, and SB19-139, which expands access to driver's license offices statewide.
2014-2016
Rolling Back Discriminatory Policies
  • The Wage Protection Act (SB14-005) gives exploited immigrant workers a legal pathway to justice against wage theft.
  • Bipartisan support leads to the repeal of HB06S-1017, which penalized employers for hiring undocumented workers.
  • ICE director reports deportations have fallen from 8,000 in 2008 to less than 1,000 in 2016, thanks to the movement.
2010-2013
Seeds of Progress
  • CIRC launches its first successful public deportation campaign, halting Edgar Niebla’s deportation in 24 hours and sparking a statewide resistance movement.
  • Milestones include repealing the "Show Me Your Papers" law, granting in-state tuition to undocumented students (SB13-033), and expanding access to driver's licenses (SB13-251).
2006-2009
Restriction and Resistence
  • A surge of anti-immigrant bills creates barriers for undocumented residents and sends a chilling message. Notable legislation includes SB06-90 ("Show Me Your Papers") and HB06S-1023 restricting public benefits.
  • ICE reaches its peak of deportations in the SB06-90 regime, placing holds on more than 900 people in 2009.

IMMIGRATION

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