Three Republican members of Colorado’s congressional delegation are calling on Gov. Jared Polis to match his rhetoric with actions when it comes to state cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

In a letter signed by U.S. Reps. Gabe Evans, Lauren Boebert and Jeff Crank, the GOP lawmakers said they’re seeking “clarification” of remarks the Democrat made during his Jan. 9 State of the State Address, when Polis sounded a conciliatory note toward the incoming Trump administration on immigration enforcement, despite the governor’s longstanding support for policies the Republicans said throw up roadblocks to such efforts.

“I hope that President-elect Trump and Congress work together quickly to secure the border, stop human trafficking, and stop the illegal flow of guns and drugs, and we welcome more federal help to detain and deport dangerous criminals,” said Polis during the annual speech to the General Assembly, delivered prior to Trump’s inauguration this week.

Polis added that he hopes “that Congress finally provides legal pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and those who seek to come out of the shadows to help make Colorado greater.” He also expressed opposition to some potential elements of the Trump administration’s immigration policy, such as proposed mass deportations the governor warned could cripple some industries, including agriculture, construction and service industries.

But Polis also emphasized he welcomes federal agents in Colorado, which has attracted tens of thousands of immigrants who illegally crossed the southern border, to detain and deport “dangerous criminals.”

The Republican lawmakers call Polis’ stance on federal help “undoubtedly welcome news to Coloradans who have watched the sanctuary state policies you signed negatively impact our state,” a decade’s worth of Colorado laws they contend “handcuff state and local police officers from cooperating with their federal counterparts to protect our communities from dangerous illegal immigrants.”

If Polis means what he said, the Republicans wrote, they want to know if he plans to call on the Democratic-controlled legislature to repeal a series of laws signed by Polis that restricts state and local governments and law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

Specifically, the Republican members of Congress want Polis to ask for the repeal of House Bill 19-1124, Senate Bill 21-131 and House Bill 23-1100. The three laws respectively prohibit Colorado law enforcement from complying with federal immigration detainers, prevent state agencies and law enforcement from sharing certain personal information with immigration authorities unless compelled by the courts, and bar state or local entities from contracting or paying from immigration detention facilities.

“If you are genuine in your intention to increase cooperation between Colorado, law enforcement and federal immigration authorities to help remove dangerous illegal immigrants from our streets, we ask that you take immediate actions like the ones described above, to enable our public safety servants to do their jobs,” the Republicans wrote.

“Until then, your plans are nothing more than empty and politically motivated rhetoric, and Coloradans deserve better than that.”

Polis press secretary Shelby Weiman told Colorado Politics on Wednesday that the governor’s office “will review the letter.”

Since late 2022, the Denver metro area has been faced with an influx of about 43,000 immigrants — mainly from South and Central America who crossed the Mexican border illegally — straining Denver at a cost estimated at roughly $80 million, not counting healthcare and education-related expenses. 

During his presidential campaign, Trump drew attention to the activities of Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua, known as TDA, in nearby Aurora, where local authorities eventually conceded the violent gang held sway at three apartment complexes by way of kidnappings, extortion and other crimes.

At a campaign stop in Aurora, Trump vowed to launch “Operation Aurora,” kicking off what he described as the largest mass depletion in American history, aimed at removing gang-affiliated and criminal immigrants, though the plans will likely be met with legal challenges.

A slew of state laws could stand in the way of Trump’s deportation program, including the 2019 statute that effectively made Colorado a “sanctuary” state by forbidding state or local cooperation with federal authorities enforcing immigration laws. Several Colorado counties have challenged the law in court.