Over the past several weeks, the Chaffee County Commissioners have received regular comments and have seen substantial concern expressed that Chaffee County is considering declaring Chaffee County as a “sanctuary county.” There is no basis in fact for these assertions and assumptions. Chaffee County has not taken, nor does it plan to take, formal action on or propose policy related to this broad immigration-related topic.
Furthermore, it is the County Commissioners’ position that there is no generally accepted legal definition or uniform interpretation of a “sanctuary” or a “non-sanctuary” jurisdiction in Colorado. There are no established and well-defined actions or specific policies or protections associated with being a “sanctuary” or a “non-sanctuary” jurisdiction. Neither designation would grant Chaffee County or the Commissioners authority we do not already have.
It is a disservice to the whole community for County elected officials and staff to expend time, energy, and resources combatting this kind of misinformation. Rather than investing effort in empty rhetoric, we choose to focus the hard work and resources of the county on the numerous programs, projects, and initiatives that provide direct and tangible benefits for our community’s long-standing priorities, including core operations and infrastructure related to land use, roads and transportation and connectivity, natural resources management, housing needs, workforce and economic development, childcare and youth services, and public health and safety, among others.
We support the consistent enforcement of laws and regulations within Chaffee County just as we support upholding the civil rights and liberties of all our residents. County officials will continue to abide by the oaths of office we each took to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Colorado, and to continue to faithfully perform the duties of the office of County Commissioner to the best of our abilities, just as we will continue to abide by federal and state laws set forth for immigrant protection and the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, and national origin.
Chaffee County Government reaffirms our commitment to supporting our shared values of transparency, honesty, and civility and to showing courtesy and respect for all people in our community. We invite you to do the same.
Information on Commissioners meetings is posted to https://chaffeecoco.portal.civicclerk.com/, as are meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings. We always welcome you to participate respectfully in your local government process.
Sincerely,
Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners
P.T. Wood
Greg Felt
Keith Baker
