“What we did last year — bringing the local governments, the private businesses and the philanthropic community together — was described as ‘miraculous,’ but I don’t want us to believe that we can’t do it again. We just did something for the first time that now we need to better understand and improve.”
Category: Social justice
Posted inSocial justice
Glenwood Springs revokes ICE facility permit; dispute could result in legal battle
About 160 residents attended the hearing, and the planning commission received a standing ovation after it revoked the permit, but Hanlon said it will be difficult to enforce the decision if ICE, the GSA or the landlord appeals within the seven-day period or simply continues operating the facility without a permit.
Posted inSocial justice
As data shows more detentions over 12 hours, Glenwood staff recommend upholding ICE facility’s permit before key P&Z meeting
Glenwood Springs officials are recommending that the city’s planning and zoning commission uphold a special use permit approved in 2003 for Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s short-term holding facility and administrative office near the Glenwood Meadows shopping area, despite data that shows ICE detained people for over 12 hours at the site, in violation of the conditions of its permit.
Posted inSocial justice
Law enforcement from Aspen to Silt considers changes to street-camera surveillance in response to immigration concerns
Data-privacy concerns raised about Glenwood Springs’ Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras are widespread across the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys, an Aspen Journalism analysis found. Local jurisdictions are now revisiting their policies to ensure they align with local values and state laws that limit how and when local law enforcement can assist with federal immigration arrests.
Posted inSocial justice
California firm buys up seven Western Slope mobile home parks
A 39-unit manufactured home community in Rifle that a California real estate investment firm purchased in December is part of a portfolio of seven Western Slope parks consisting of more than 700 homesites and recently acquired by the company.
Posted inSocial justice
City could revoke permit after data shows ICE detainees held for more than 12 hours at Glenwood facility
ICE holding facilities are typically used to process and detain people before they are transferred to a larger detention center or released. They often consist of small concrete rooms with no beds and are not designed for overnight use.
Posted inThe second coming of Albert Schweitzer
French book highlights Aspen’s efforts to elevate Albert Schweitzer legacy
Local efforts to recenter the philosophies of French-German humanist Albert Schweitzer as morally and culturally imperative in modern Aspen have been recognized in a French book written by authors from his home region.
Posted inSocial justice
Law firm sends cease-and-desist letter to Garfield County sheriff over alleged unlawful immigration enforcement
Towards Justice Executive Director David Seligman, an attorney who is running for state attorney general this year, confirmed that the formal, nonbinding letter could be the first step in a lawsuit against the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Posted inSocial justice
Garfield County Libraries has resisted censoring books, but leadership changes could turn the tide
Several measures were considered by library trustees over the past year. But so far, the board has declined to implement any new policies due to reasons ranging from Colorado laws to a skepticism over whether there is a genuine problem to be solved.
Posted inSocial justice
Garfield County Libraries director announces retirement, encourages community to protect the ‘freedom to read’
Despite the challenges and opposition that LaRue has faced from some in the community because of his advocacy against restricting books, he said that he has also received a lot of support and that leading Garfield County Libraries has been a rewarding experience overall.