The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) is a membership-based coalition formed in 2002 advancing left-of-center immigration policies in Colorado with over 65 member organizations across the state. ¹ CIRC’s programing includes a data privacy program, an “ICE Resistance” program, and legal services. CIRC has partnered with several other left-leaning organizations including the American Friends Service Committee, America’s Voice, National Day Laborers Organizing Network, National Employment Law Project, and Welcoming America. ²

Founding

The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) was founded in 2002. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the state legislature’s rejection of a bill that would grant driver’s licenses to immigrants, about 40 individuals gathered at the Colorado Statewide Parents Coalition meeting to discuss forming a statewide immigration coalition. As a result, CIRC was created. ³

Membership

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition members must pay annual dues in the amount of $100 and membership is open to any Colorado-based group that is “passionate about immigration justice.” ¹ Members can receive training on organizational development, fundraising, and leadership development, as well as access networking opportunities and staff support from CIRC. ¹ Members may also vote at CIRC meetings to select CIRC’s policy platforms for the upcoming year. ¹

As of 2024, members of the CIRC include the ACLU of Colorado, Asian Pacific Development Center, League of Women Voters of Colorado, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, Sanctuary for All Colorado, and Violence Free Colorado. ¹

Programs and Partners

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) offers several programs including a data privacy program, in which CIRC helps immigrants access things like healthcare and driver’s licenses without exposing their personal information to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). CIRC offers an “ICE Resistance” program that provides “Know Your Rights” training ahead of interactions with ICE, as well as information on how to report ICE activity. ⁴

CIRC also provides legal services by offering workshops and individual appointments that advance citizenship applications or requests for temporary legal status. ⁴ In 2023, CIRC’s legal services program organized ten legal workshops in cities such as Denver, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs. The workshops included naturalization, DACA renewal, and asylum workshops. ⁵

CIRC also collaborates with other left-of-center organizations. In 2024, CIRC was one of over 190 organizations that signed a letter sent to President Joe Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asking the administration to close immigration detention facilities, stop detention expansion efforts, and release individuals who are currently detained. Other left-of-center organizations that co-signed the letter include the Detention Watch Network, American Friends Service Committee, California Immigrant Policy Center, Faith in Action, Immigrant Defense Project, National Immigrant Justice Center, Ohio Immigrant Alliance, and United We Dream. ⁶

CIRC partners with several left-of-center organizations to advance its immigration policies including America’s Voice, National Day Laborers Organizing Network, National Employment Law Project, and Welcoming America. ² CIRC also sits on the executive committees of Fair Immigration Reform Movement and National Partnership for New Americans. ²

Financials

In 2022, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) reported total revenue of just over $2.3 million, expenses of about $2.2 million, and net assets of about $1.3 million. CIRC also awarded $75,000 to the CIRC Action Fund, ⁷ its 501(c)(4) arm. ⁸ Similarly, in 2021, CIRC reported total revenue of just over $1.5 million, expenses of just over $2 million, net assets of about $1.2 million, and awarded $45,000 to the CIRC Action Fund. ⁹

Leadership

Gladis Ibarra and Henry Sandman are the co-executive directors of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC). ¹⁰ Ibarra has worked with CIRC since 2018. Sandman previously worked at CIRC Action Fund for four years in roles such as a campaign manager, political operations manager, and managing director. ¹¹

1. “CIRC Membership.” Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, September 14, 2024. https://coloradoimmigrant.org/members/.
2. “National Affiliations.” Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, January 26, 2023. https://coloradoimmigrant.org/about/national-and-community-partners/.
3. Rep. 20th Anniversary Impact Report. Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition . Accessed December 8, 2024. https://coloradoimmigrant.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20th-Anniversary-Impact-Report-4.pdf.
4. “Our Work.” Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, February 8, 2023. https://coloradoimmigrant.org/our-work/.
5. Rep. Annual Report. Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. Accessed December 8, 2024. https://coloradoimmigrant.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CIRC-2023-Annual-Report-English.pdf.
6. “193 Organizations Urge the Biden Administration to Take Decisive Action to Protect Immigrants.” Detention Watch Network, November 15, 2024. https://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/pressroom/releases/2024/193-organizations-urge-biden-administration-take-decisive-action-protect
7. Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022.
8. “Donate.” CIRC Action Fund, August 31, 2023. https://circaction.org/donate/.
9. Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2021.
10. “CIRC Staff.” Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, November 26, 2024. https://coloradoimmigrant.org/about/staff/.
11. “Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Announces New Co-Executive Directors, Gladis Ibarra and Henry Sandman.” Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, August 15, 2023. https://coloradoimmigrant.org/colorado-immigrant-rights-coalition-announces-new-co-executive-directors-gladis-ibarra-and-henry-sandman/.