What to Expect in Salida

The information below describes how public institutions in Salida address immigration enforcement inquiries and actions.

• Salida School District

  This summary outlines how Salida School District says it will respond if immigration enforcement officials (ICE) appear at schools or request student information. The district follows federal privacy law (FERPA), state law, and internal policies and regulations to protect the immigration status of students and families.

  
  Policy KLG: Relations with State and Federal Agencies

  Regulation KLG-R: Relations with Federal Immigration Officials

  For further information or questions contact Superintendent David Blackburn at dblackburn@salidaschools.org

  Student Privacy and Records

  Salida School District does not collect or maintain information about students' immigration status. Staff are required to follow FERPA, which prohibits sharing a student’s educational records without written consent or a court-ordered subpoena. Parents must be notified of any such request.

  If ICE Visits a School

  If immigration officers come to a school requesting access to a student or information:

  -Officers are asked to remain in the front office area.
  -The principal and the superintendent’s office are contacted immediately.
  -Officers must present government-issued photo ID and a court-ordered subpoena.
  -Staff may ask clarifying questions, including what records are being requested and how they will be used.
  -Requests and documents are reviewed by the school district lawyers. If valid, the requested information will be made available within three business days.
  -Parents will be informed of the request unless the court order says otherwise.

  If ICE Seeks to Detain Someone

  If officers present valid documentation to detain someone at school:
  -The district may place the building on a security HOLD.
  - The superintendent and local law enforcement are contacted immediately.
  -Officers may be asked to wait for local police before proceeding.
  -Staff will comply but also notify relevant parties, including families, unless prohibited.

• Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC)

  Patients' Rights- Immigration Status

  • HRRMC does not collect information on patients or their relatives regarding place of birth or immigration/citizenship status, unless required by state or federal law.

  • HRRMC will never release personal identifying information about any patient or patient’s family member (names, addresses, birth dates, whether they are seeking or have ever sought services at HRRMC) or any other data that could be used to identify an individual, unless a legal authorization to disclose exists under HIPAA.  HIPAA protections extend to everyone regardless of immigration status.

  • HRRMC will not grant access to any portion of its facilities or grounds not generally open to the public to law enforcement for immigration enforcement purposes without a lawful order or warrant issued by a judge or magistrate.

  • HRRMC will comply with the terms of lawful subpoenas, orders, and warrants issued by a judge or magistrate.

  • HRRMC will notify any patient (or parent/guardian/relative if the patient is under 18) about any request for information on or access to the patient made by federal immigration authorities, unless prohibited from doing so by a lawful order issued by a judge or magistrate.

• Salida Police Department

  https://www.cityofsalida.com/police

  For questions contact Chief Russ Johnson at rjohnson@salidapolice.com

  The Salida Police Department follows Colorado state laws that prohibit local law enforcement from working with ICE and sharing certain information with them. 

  ·  Police will not ask individuals about their immigration status or request that information from ICE

  ·  Police will not report suspected noncitizens to ICE

  ·  Local police cannot detain individuals beyond their release date just for the purpose of waiting for ICE enforcement

  ·  Personal identifying information cannot be shared with ICE without a judicial warrant or court order

  ·  Local jails cannot be used as detention centers for ICE

  NOTE: ICE does not communicate with the police department ahead of time if they plan to be in Salida or what they will be doing in the city. 

• Chaffee County Sheriff

  https://www.chaffeesheriff.org/departments/sheriff/index.php

  For questions contact Sheriff Andy Rohrich at arrohrich@chaffeesheriff.org

  The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office follows Colorado state laws that prohibit local law enforcement from working with ICE and sharing certain information with them. 

  ·  Sheriffs will not ask individuals about their immigration status or request that information from ICE

  ·  Sheriffs will not report suspected noncitizens to ICE

  ·  Sheriffs cannot detain individuals beyond their release date just for the purpose of waiting for ICE enforcement

  ·  Personal identifying information cannot be shared with ICE without a judicial warrant or court order

  ·  Local jails cannot be used as detention centers for ICE

  Note: ICE does not communicate with the sheriff’s office ahead of time if they plan to be in the county or what they will be doing in the county.

• Salida Library

  Summary of Salida Library’s Law Enforcement Response Policy
  
  Response to Law Enforcement Policy

  The Salida Library is committed to protecting patron privacy and ensuring transparency in interactions with law enforcement.
  • Officers may enter public areas but may not access staff-only areas without a warrant, subpoena, or court order (except in emergencies).
  • Staff do not release patron or employee information without proper legal documentation or written consent.
  • When an officer arrives, staff verify credentials, notify a supervisor, and review any documentation presented.
  • The Library documents law-enforcement requests and provides notification if patron data is released under applicable law.

  Library Card Access
  The Salida Library welcomes all community members. To receive a library card, patrons simply provide proof of local residence—such as a photo ID with a current local address, or a photo ID plus a piece of mail, bill, paycheck, or rent receipt showing their address.

  The Library does not request, collect, or record information about a person’s immigration status, citizenship, or place of birth, and immigration status is not a factor in obtaining a library card or using library services. 

• Colorado Mountain College (CMC)

  Policy: Chapter 3.16

  Colorado Mountain College’s Policy No. 3.16 “Response to Immigration Enforcement Activity on Campus” applies to all students, parents, guardians, and relatives of students, employees, and visitors at the college. 

  Protecting Personal Information

  CMC does not collect or share immigration or citizenship status unless required by law or necessary to verify eligibility for a government-funded program. Personal information such as names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, student IDs, addresses, or immigration documents will not be disclosed to federal immigration authorities without written consent or a valid court-issued subpoena, warrant, or order.  

  Campus Access by Immigration Agents

  Federal immigration enforcement officers may enter public areas of campus, like outdoor spaces, while performing official duties. They may not enter non-public areas, including classrooms, offices, libraries, cafeterias, or conference rooms, without a court order or warrant, except in emergencies or as otherwise required by law.

  CMC has a designated staff member authorized to handle all federal immigration enforcement inquiries. Any agent requesting access to non-public areas or personal information will be referred to this designee, who will review the request in coordination with CMC’s general counsel to ensure compliance with state and federal law.