Posted July 16, 2026
Late last week, Shut Down GEO campaign confirmed a tuberculosis case inside Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Aurora detention facility. The Campaign has evidence to suggest that GEO Group’s handling of the case is not following public health protocols and is endangering lives – with the potential for an outbreak.
Friday, ICE signed a deal with GEO Group to open another for-profit prison in Hudson. After leasing the property from Highlands REIT, the federal government rushed a contract with GEO Group to run the old prison. The prison in Hudson had a 700-bed capacity. The contract with GEO Group will hold up to 1,000, but ICE reportedly plans to house up to 1,188 people there according to the Denver Post.
ICE is also pushing a new contract ahead of schedule with GEO Group to run the Aurora facility. The current contract between ICE and GEO Group was set up to expire in October of 2026. GEO Group, INC owns the land for the Aurora facility and has been running detention on it since 1986. The facility expanded from 500 to 1500 beds in 2009.
“GEO Group, Inc. has a documented record of neglecting health and safety and cannot be trusted to follow protocols or care for human beings. Allowing GEO to run a second facility when they repeatedly have mishandled outbreaks in the past is dangerous for immigrants and guards as well as public health. Now ICE is rushing a no-bid, sole-source contract with Geo and attempting to buy the building in Hudson now and later the facility in Aurora and then subcontract back to GEO Group. Federal ownership attempts to bypass local rules and weaken state enforcement while continuing to line the pockets of billionaires. Coloradans deserve transparency and safety, not a corporation that profits over people. Our campaign will continue exposing these injustices, fighting to shut these facilities down, and stopping the separation of Colorado families.” states AnnaRose Craig, organizer with the American Friends Service Committee which coordinates the Shut Down GEO campaign.
GEO Group, Inc. has a documented record of neglecting health and safety and cannot be trusted to follow protocols or care for human beings.”
AnnaRose Craig, American Friends Service Committee
This year advocacy groups won new oversight as state legislators passed HB-1276 requiring health and safety compliance in Colorado immigration facilities, access for inspections and authority to fine for violations. Colorado joined other states in passing these protections while community efforts around the country hampered the Federal government’s efforts to purchase and repurpose warehouses for detention.
“We call for the return of the land to local communities in Hudson and Aurora. Colorado families are facing rising healthcare and housing costs and a serious drought. The federal government should focus on purchasing land that meets the needs of working families, farmers and ranchers instead of failed and harmful mass deportations,” states Karen Orona of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. “Our members from Huson to Aurora, Colorado Springs to Walsenburg, will continue to stand up for the human and constitutional rights of all Coloradans and work to dismantle the deportation machine.”
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- Empty Colorado Prison to Become New ICE Detention Center, GEO Group Says - July 16, 2026
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