Board addresses illegal immigration funding concerns

Published on April 29, 2024

At their Monday, April 29, 2024, board meeting, Weld County Commissioners approved, by a 5-0 vote, the first reading of a code ordinance aimed at countering misinformation and allegations of misuse of county taxpayer dollars for illegal immigrants.

County Attorney Bruce Barker read into the record a draft of code ordinance 2024-05, which repeals and reenacts, with amendments, Chapter 5 Revenue and Finance, of the Weld County Code.

“There have been a lot of conversations in the community, as well as nationally, about the impact illegal immigration is having on local government,” said Commissioner Chair Kevin Ross. “Information found on websites or comments made by individuals in the community have led to confusion and concern, understandably. Our hope, as a board, is that this ordinance will bring clarity and confidence that Weld County is neither a sanctuary county for illegal immigrants nor is county government misusing taxpayer funds in relation to illegal immigration.”

Specific to this ordinance is adding a section (Section 5-1-70), which states: The Board of County Commissioners shall not appropriate monies from the General Fund, Capital Expenditure Fund, special revenue funds or proprietary funds for the specified purpose of providing emergency sheltering of illegal aliens within Weld County. ”Emergency sheltering of illegal aliens” includes the provision of housing, transportation or meals for the benefit of persons who DO NOT have “lawfully present in the United States” immigration status.

Two other public readings of the ordinance will take place prior to the formal board vote and adoption.

Members of the public who wish to provide comment on the ordinance change can do so a variety of ways, including:

During public comment at any regularly scheduled county commissioner meeting (Monday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. at 1150 O St., Greeley.
During the second and third reading of the proposed ordinance change during the regularly scheduled county commissioner meeting (May 20 and June 10 respectively).
Via email at publiccomment@weld.gov or ctb@weld.gov.
Via mail sent to the Weld County Clerk to the Board, P.O. Box 758, 1150 O Street, Greeley, CO 80632.

Read the ordinance(PDF, 205KB).