A private prison group that runs Colorado’s only immigration detention facility is suing the state over a new law that would require an increase of health and safety inspections and procedures.
The lawsuit was initiated in June by the private for-profit prison company, GEO Group, who operates worldwide and owns or manages at least 50 facilities in the United States. The suit lists the Colorado Attorney General, executive members of the state’s Department of Public Health and Environment and an Adams County Health Department executive as the defendants.
Last Friday, GEO attorney Fred Yarger took the stand in the Denver district court and argued the company’s case in front of a federal judge.
The law in question is House Bill 26-1276 and was sponsored by four Democratic legislators, and Governor Jared Polis signed it into law earlier this year. It goes into effect on August 12…