Wheat Ridge council adopts resolution affirming support for human dignity and civil rights

The Wheat Ridge City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 14-20-26 on Feb. 23, 2026, affirming the city's commitment to human dignity, civil rights and constitutional protections. Mayor Pro Tem Hultein and other council members said the resolution reflected a collaborative effort across council and affirmed local values while acknowledging the need to pair words with action.

The council read a series of "whereas" statements and then heard public comment. Morgan Richards read a post described as a "confirmed detention" and urged the council to ensure the resolution is backed by action: "Confirmed detention, West 38th Avenue..." Richards asked the city to follow through on protections for neighbors. Doug Bates and Gary Holmes encouraged the council to study model surveillance policies and to consider more specific local limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Holmes suggested several possible actions for future study, including prohibiting Wheat Ridge Police Department participation in ICE deputization agreements and restricting collateral support for ICE operations.

City staff and the city attorney responded to questions about the limits of local authority. Community development director and the city attorney explained that typical municipal zoning treats unlisted uses as not permitted, but federal or state action can preempt local rules if a facility is part of a federal mission. Attorney Jerry Dahl cautioned that federal preemption issues are fact‑specific and would require further legal analysis before the city could adopt enforceable local prohibitions on federal detention sites.

Council members described the resolution as a starting point and thanked residents who attended and commented. The motion to approve Resolution Number 14‑20‑26 passed on a roll call vote of 8–0.