Glenwood Springs City Council approved new wildfire standards and began a formal review of the ICE detention facility at 100 Midland Avenue. A key hearing is set for April 28 as housing, transit, and downtown issues continue to evolve.
Glenwood Springs City Council took action on wildfire preparedness and began a formal process that could determine the future of the ICE-operated detention facility at 100 Midland Avenue during its March 19 meeting.
The meeting covered a range of familiar local topics, including housing, transit, and downtown parking. But most of the attention, both from council and the public, centered on the Midland property and the role it plays in the community.
City staff confirmed that a final Certificate of Occupancy was never issued for portions of the building at 100 Midland Avenue, where a detention facility operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been located since the early 2000s.
Officials said the missing certificate appears to be the result of an administrative oversight. More immediate concerns are tied to how the facility is operating today.
City Manager Steve Boyd told council that recent records indicate the ICE facility may be holding detainees longer than allowed under its Special Use Permit, which limits holding times.
City Attorney Carl Hanland said the City will issue a Notice of Violation in the coming week. That action will begin a formal enforcement process, with a Planning and Zoning Commission hearing scheduled for April 28. At that hearing, commissioners could decide whether to revoke the permit.
Hanland noted that the process must be handled carefully to ensure any decision can stand up to potential legal challenges.
Public comment made clear that the ICE facility remains one of the most contentious issues in Glenwood Springs.
Several residents called on the City to shut down or red-tag the facility, citing safety concerns and what they believe are violations of state law. Others spoke more broadly about the presence of ICE in the community and the impact of immigration enforcement on local families.
Speakers also raised concerns about the Spear information-sharing program between local law enforcement and federal agencies, as well as the use of surveillance technologies.
Some residents pointed to gaps in accessibility, including limited language access for Spanish-speaking community members during public processes.
The number of speakers and the tone of the discussion suggest the April 28 hearing will draw significant public attention.
In a separate decision, council unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-04, adopting the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code.
The new standards are aimed at reducing wildfire risk and strengthening building requirements, a growing priority for communities along the Roaring Fork Valley and across Western Colorado.
Councilmembers also shared updates from recent meetings and regional partnerships.
A workforce housing proposal is continuing to move forward, while the Downtown Development Association is again discussing how parking is managed downtown, including the possibility of paid parking.
On the transit side, RAFTA recently added new representatives and secured a five-year extension of funding for the West Glenwood Transit Center, a project that has been in discussion for several years.
Council approved the consent agenda, including a letter of support for a grant application tied to an electric car-sharing pilot program. Mayor Marco Dame also proclaimed April 24 as Arbor Day.
Several items were moved to upcoming meetings, including a Charter Commission discussion and a planning application now scheduled for April 2.
For many residents, attention is already turning to April 28, when the Planning and Zoning Commission will take up the ICE facility at Midland Avenue.
The City has now entered a formal process that could shape the future of the ICE detention facility at 100 Midland Avenue.
At the same time, longer-term issues like housing availability, transportation, and downtown access continue to develop in the background.
Both are likely to remain central to local conversations as Glenwood Springs heads into the spring season.
