The first half of 2025 has been full of challenges and hard work for the ACLU of Colorado. We worked tirelessly alongside partners and community members to fight back against the dismantling of civil liberties at all levels of the government.
We have seen some of the largest threats present themselves at the federal level, where Colorado continues to stand as a key segment of the firewall for freedom. This year we:
- Defended our state’s immigrant communities
- Strengthened voter protection laws
- Protected kids in schools and the juvenile justice system
- Fought against rollbacks to critical support systems
- And much more
Regardless of the challenge, our mission remains clear and vivid. We will continue to fight to protect and expand the civil liberties of all Coloradans.
Executive Director
A time of great challenge — and opportunity
To say that these last several months have presented us with enormous challenges is a profound understatement. Every day we see yet another threat to our democracy, our rule of law, and the rights that so many fought so hard to win...
Public Policy
Building a Firewall for Freedom at the capitol
As the Trump administration continues to dismantle rights at the federal level, it is more important than ever for state governments to stand for what is right. State legislators and city governments have the duty to safeguard our rights and create a firewall for freedom...
Legal
President Trump came after Colorado's immigrants. We're fighting back.
In the first few months of the new Trump administration, there have been countless attacks against our immigrant community members. These aggressive executive orders and actions have been cruel, and many have been unconstitutional — but none of them have been a surprise...
Advocacy
The power of the people pushes back
We have been deepening national coalitions and continuing to partner with local partners to send a clear message to our elected officials working in the U.S. Congress: The people of Colorado deserve representatives that will stand up for their civil rights and liberties...
Thank you to Astra Lincoln, writer, copyeditor, and researcher for your support in this season’s newsletter.
Date
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - 12:00pm
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In this impact report, you will get an inside look at our work to end Pueblo's unconstitutional detention practices, our upcoming legislative agenda, our efforts to defend Danielle SeeWalker, a Native American artist, from censorship, and more.
We'll keep fighting in the courts, at the capitol, and in our communities. Together, we can make Colorado a firewall for freedom.
Smart Justice
Victory Against Pueblo’s Unconstitutional Detention Practices
The ACLU of Colorado litigated to stop the city of Pueblo from unlawfully jailing people for hundreds of days without constitutionally required charging documents.
Privacy and Liberty
Defending Danielle SeeWalker Against Vail’s Retaliation
Vail selected Ms. SeeWalker to be its Summer 2024 Artist in Residence, which would have involved painting a mural in the town and participating in additional engagements. After months of planning, Vail abruptly cancelled Ms. SeeWalker’s residency...
Be the Change You Want to See
With the results of the 2024 election in full focus, we are clear-eyed about the gravity of this moment in our country’s history. While there are enormous challenges ahead of us, they are not our destiny. The ACLU of Colorado’s commitment to make Colorado a beacon for civil rights and civil liberties remains stronger than ever.
Protecting Civil Liberties: A Legislative Look Ahead to 2025
With federal threats to our civil rights and civil liberties on the horizon, it’s more important than ever that we fight to protect Coloradans. In the 2025 legislative session, ACLU of Colorado will build on our previous work done in the 2024 session.
A Groundbreaking Year for We Are the Vote
The 2024 election cycle was a landmark year for our We Are the Vote campaign, as we made unprecedented strides in mobilizing voters, protecting our personal freedoms, and pushing back against attacks on criminal legal reforms.
Systemic Equality
Pueblo Public Health Victory
We sued the city of Pueblo back in June on behalf of Colorado Health Network and the Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association (SCHRA).
Meet Suzie Post, Our New Director of Philanthropy
We’re thrilled to welcome Suzie Post as the new Director of Philanthropy at the ACLU of Colorado! Suzie brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and advocacy.
Date
Monday, January 13, 2025 - 12:00pm
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As we are well into our three-year strategic framework, The Road Ahead continues to guide our efforts. In this impact report, you will get an inside look at our work in the courts, at the capitol, and in our communities. In this impact report you will read more about our continued work in our issue areas of Privacy and Liberty, where we worked to enhance biometric data privacy laws and uphold reproductive rights in Colorado and Systemic Equality, where we helped to strengthen renter’s rights and ensure equitable education for children across the state.
In this edition:
ACLU Wins $3.76 Million Victory in Case against Denver Police Officers
Ms. Johnson had been subjected to a Denver Police Department (DPD) SWAT team raid of her home without probable cause or proper investigation. The ACLU of Colorado filed the lawsuit in late 2022 under a new state law allowing civil enforcement for the violation of people’s rights under the Colorado Constitution.
Privacy and Liberty:
Enhancing Your Biometric Data Privacy
Biometric identifiers are a person’s most sensitive data. People’s fingerprints, DNA, facial mapping, the way we walk, and the way we think all make up who we are.
Protecting Reproductive Freedom
COLOR is proud to co-chair the Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom campaign. Abortion rights are essential to democracy. Guaranteeing equitable access to reproductive healthcare such as abortion, is necessary to ensure the well-being of our communities across our state — and our country.
Upholding Anti-Discrimination Laws
In February of this year, we filed a lawsuit against Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO), alleging that the hospital violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act when it stopped providing medically necessary surgeries to transgender patients over the age of 18.
Systemic Equality:
Strengthening Renters' Rights
Colorado has an affordable housing crisis — and the heaviest burden falls on renters. In 2023, eviction filings in Colorado were at their highest level since 2008.
Keeping Brown's Promise Alive
In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an historic decision in Brown v. Board of Education, ruling that placing children in separate public schools based on race was unconstitutional. This was a landmark case that would forever change education — or so we thought.
Smart Justice:
Defending the Aurora Public Defender's Office
Late last year, Aurora City Council issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a private law firm to replace the APDO. It did so despite objections from the ACLU of Colorado, which urged the city not to eliminate the public defender’s office on constitutional grounds, statutory grounds, and because of the financial hardship it would pose to taxpayers.
Date
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:30pm
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