To resolve an ACLU of Colorado lawsuit filed earlier this year alleging racial profiling, biased policing, and illegal search of a residence, Denver agreed to a settlement that provides for new police policies, new training for officers, and payment of $20,000 to the ACLU’s clients.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in March on behalf of Jose Sanchez and his girlfriend, Joshinna Carreras, charged that Denver police officers targeted Sanchez, detained him without reasonable suspicion, and falsely accused him of being an “illegal immigrant.” The officers then illegally arrested Sanchez for supposedly providing “false identification,” and they illegally entered and searched Carreras’ home without a warrant. The supposedly “false” identification was a current and valid photo ID -- an Employment Authorization Card -- issued by the Department of Homeland Security, which confirmed Mr. Sanchez’s legal presence and authorization to work in the United States.

Under the new policies, instead of simply booking an individual on a charge of false identification and turning the case over to prosecutors, Denver police will contact federal authorities to inquire whether the ID is genuine. If it is, the individual will be released immediately.

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The ACLU of Colorado announces our support of the second annual Colorado Gives Day – an initiative to increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving to Colorado charities. Once again presented by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day is a 24-hour period on Dec. 6 to “give where you live” by making online donations on Community First Foundation’s online giving resource, GivingFirst.org. As a profiled charity on GivingFirst.org, The ACLU of Colorado will participate in this initiative.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the second annual Colorado Gives Day. As a Colorado nonprofit, we recognize the value of bringing local communities together in support of the charitable sector – and Colorado Gives Day is an ideal outlet for raising awareness of the need to support organizations like ours,” said Rehan K. Hasan, Chair of the Board of the ACLU of Colorado.

Marla J. Williams, president and CEO of Community First Foundation, said: “‘Give where you live’ is a simple concept but one with huge impact. Our goal last year was to raise $1 million online for local nonprofits. Instead, thanks to Coloradans’ generosity, we raised more than $8 million!”

For more information about the ACLU of Colorado and the second annual Colorado Gives Day, please contact Development Director Pat Blumenthal at [email protected] or 720.402.3118.

To contribute to the work of protecting, defending and expanding civil liberties through the ACLU of Colorado now through December 6 -- Colorado Gives Day – visit https://www.givingfirst.org/ACLU-CO/.

The ACLU of Colorado received complaints that on Sunday morning November 13, at the first court appearance of Occupy Denver protesters who were arrested the night before, Magistrate John Hoffman refused to allow reporters and members of the press to bring paper, notebooks or any type of writing utensils into the courtroom. Westword reporter Kelsey Whipple reported that she was forbidden to take notes during the court proceeding. http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2011/11/occupy_denver_arrests_bond.php. In a November 16 letter to Presiding Judge John John Marcucci, the ACLU of Colorado protested this violation of First Amendment rights. For more information, visit https://aclu-co.org/case/judge-marcucci-aclu-re-paper-pens.