This week that is ending with a Friday the 13th has been dramatic with anti-ICE protests across the country and a bigger nationwide protest planned for this Saturday the 14th. There is SO much to unfold in this very complex issue.. and so many different perspectives, and yes, other stories in the news, so we had a lot of ground to cover on this week’s Colorado Inside Out.

Immigration Policy and Protests: A Volatile Landscape

On the eve of the “No Kings” protest set for Saturday, June 14 in towns across Colorado and the U.S., our panel reflected on the demonstrations we’ve already seen this week in Colorado.

• Patty Calhoun, Westword Editor, said “I hope the protesters are on their best behavior this weekend to promote just free speech. Get out there and say what you’re concerned about. But let’s keep away from violence. It’s really going to be critical.”
• Krista Kafer, Denver Post Columnist, agreed “Don’t seek violence. Instead, get your message out that due process is being violated and that we need to have that right restored for everyone.”
• Penfield Tate, Attorney, added “You cannot be surprised that people are protesting in the streets… it’s because this entire thing is no longer about immigration enforcement or immigration policy. The federal government is not interested in protecting the kids of immigrants who have been removed… all of this is about Donald Trump trying to figure out a way to extend and exert more power as President over the American people and the worst part of this is that Congress has now become complicit. They have let him take over this agenda.”
• Carlos Martinez, Latino Community Foundation of Colorado President & CEO, reflected “What I also see during these protests is a lot of love for my neighbor. It’s a lot of people coming out there who don’t even know people who are being arrested from these raids and saying, ‘keep my neighbors here… don’t split up these families.’”

Governor Polis’ Legal Dilemma: ICE Subpoenas and State Law

Governor Jared Polis is being sued for sharing Coloradans’ personal data with ICE after federal subpoenas. State Division of Labor Standards Director Scott Moss argues this violates Colorado law forbidding agencies from releasing information to ICE.

• Penfield Tate said “I understand why Polis complied—those subpoenas weren’t signed by a judge and weren’t filled out correctly. They’re meant for criminal investigations or immediate threats, which this isn’t. Then ICE switched its story to ‘protect kids,’ but we all know they wanted data to expand deportations.”
• The union representing 27,000 state employees voiced support for this suit this week at a press conference where State Sen. Julie Gonzales questioned how Polis “can continue to think that he can lead our state.”
• Krista Kafer responded “Of course he can still lead. I’m a Republican, and I’d rather see one of my own in office, but disagreeing with Polis doesn’t mean he can’t do the job. He was trying to protect Colorado from unwanted federal attention.”

Everything’s on hold until the next court hearing on Monday, June 23.

Medicaid Cuts: Rural Impact and Budget Debate

A survey by the nonprofit Healthier Colorado found fewer than one in four Colorado voters support cuts to Medicaid. Our panel weighed in on what could happen if the federal budget passes as written.

• Carlos Martinez warned “Rural health care could collapse. Many hospitals and clinics would close. Who will people see for care? When we look at who’s on Medicaid, about 76 percent are kids or low- to moderate-income adults.”
• Krista Kafer argued “These cuts aren’t about kids or people with disabilities—they target able-bodied adults. They need to be working full-time so they can get off Medicaid.”
• Penfield Tate added “I have a daughter who’s differently abled and on Medicaid. Many employers won’t hire someone who needs extra support—no one talks about that.”
• Patty Calhoun warned “This bill could send us back to square one, with more uninsured people becoming a bigger drain on society.”
• Penfield Tate questioned “As a society, are we better off having more people insured than not? This bill takes a meat cleaver to an agency lawmakers don’t understand.”

Pride Month, Gender Identity & Cultural Evolution

Pride is in full swing this weekend in Salida, Avon, Boulder, and Colorado Springs—though not without controversy.

• Patty Calhoun reacted to Colorado Springs City Council’s decision not to issue a Pride proclamation: “Shame on them, especially after the Club Q shooting—not willing to stand up for the community.”
• Penfield Tate urged “Businesses need more political courage to support all our communities, not just some.”
• Carlos Martinez praised the Colorado Theater Guild’s move to “Best Performer” awards: “As a queer kid, I never saw myself in those old categories. I love that we’re evolving—more open, more accepting.”
• Krista Kafer countered “Most Americans believe sex is biologically determined—male and female human beings, which is what science says.”

High of the Week: Kindness and Community

I always end the show by sharing my high and low. My high of the week is this wonderful Denver Post opinion letter by Colorado State University President Amy Parsons, who recalls a college-day lesson about kindness and supporting one another. Read it here.