HUDSON, Colo. — A newly planned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center at an empty prison site on the outskirts of Hudson has ignited sharp tensions in the small northern Colorado town and added volatility to a competitive congressional race.

The Big Horn detention facility is scheduled to open as early as next month in a town of roughly 1,600 residents, located about 45 minutes northeast of Denver. The prison, unused for over a decade, is positioned near the border of Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, a heavily Latino area represented by Republican Congressman Gabe Evans. Evans, a strong supporter of ICE detention centers, won the seat two years ago by defeating a Democrat. His challenger in the upcoming election, Democrat Manny Rutinel, has campaigned on a platform opposing the center, pledging to halt ICE activities he describes as terrorizing immigrant communities.

The detention center, operated under a $529 million contract by The GEO Group, a major private prison company, would nearly double Colorado’s capacity for detaining immigrants. The facility is expected to house up to 1,200 detainees and aims to employ security officers and support staff, with advertised wages starting at $35 per hour. While no detainees have yet been reported at the property, preparations, including the arrival of staff, have begun.

At town council meetings in Hudson, which typically focus on routine local matters, the discussion over the detention center has provoked fierce protests. Demonstrators, many traveling from Democratic-leaning cities along Colorado’s Front Range, have crowded the small town’s meetings, voicing strong opposition and accusing local officials of enabling an unjust policy. Protesters have also raised concerns about the suitability of the site, arguing that the remote location — twelve miles from the nearest hospital — and the potential strain on local infrastructure including roads and water supplies present serious risks.

Opponents have taken legal action, filing a lawsuit alleging the facility is not properly zoned for use as an immigration detention center. The suit challenges the town’s claim that it lacks authority to prevent the facility’s operation, asserting that Hudson has not adequately addressed the community’s concerns.

Local officials maintain that they have limited power to intervene because the prison’s original approval occurred years ago and the building holds a current certificate of occupancy. Bryce Lange, Hudson’s town manager, emphasized that the facility is already constructed, leaving the town little room to act. The prison property is owned by Highlands REIT, a real estate investment trust based in Chicago.

Reactions among Hudson residents have been divided. Some, like Denise Geddes of nearby Fort Lupton, support the enhanced immigration enforcement, viewing it as a necessary measure against unauthorized immigration. Others, including families who voted Republican in 2024, express discomfort with the facility’s presence and intend to support the Democratic congressional candidate. Diana and Ernesto Cruz, for example, said that while they were frustrated with inflation and border issues during the Biden administration, they do not want an ICE detention center in their region.

The escalating conflict has disrupted the typically quiet life of Hudson, causing strain on town meetings and local governance. Tensions ran high during recent meetings, which required heightened security and saw the mayor abruptly adjourn a session following heated exchanges. Longtime residents like planning commission member Kerry Shaklee acknowledge the challenges faced by the town government, even as they personally oppose the detention center.

As the detention center’s opening approaches, Hudson remains at the center of a broader national debate over immigration enforcement, reflecting deep political and social divides both locally and nationwide.