Rep. Lorena Garcia, an Adams County Democrat, speaks on the House floor at the Colorado Capitol on May 1, 2024. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)
The Colorado House approved a bill on Wednesday to give financial support to groups assisting the thousands of migrants who have made their way to the state in recent months, continuing an effort this legislative session to help respond to the situation.
Nearly 40,000 migrants have arrived in Denver since December 2022, many on buses from Texas and other border states. Many have remained in the Denver metro area or continued on to another state, though some have traveled to other cities, such as Carbondale, in search of opportunity. Most of the migrants fled economic and political turmoil in central and South American countries.
The stream of migrants has strained city and state resources as leaders work to provide shelter and related emergency services. With increased demand, a lot of that work to help new arrivals integrate, find housing and achieve some sense of stability has fallen on nonprofits and organizations outside of government.