A bill setting aside funds to help migrants in Colorado – brought by Western Slope Rep. Elizabeth Velasco – is now law after Gov. Jared Polis signed the bill Wednesday.

House Bill 1280 appropriates $2.5 million from the state’s general fund to set up a program for grants that will go to community nonprofits helping new migrants navigate state services. 

The proposal, which originated from the state Office of New Americans, piqued Velasco’s interest because of the growth in migrant populations in the state, including in Western Slope communities such as Carbondale. 

“There are many migrants who haven’t been welcomed and who haven’t gotten the support that they need to thrive and are still contributing to the economy,” said Velasco, a Glenwood Springs Democrat. “Especially for rural resort communities, our communities wouldn’t run without migrants.”

Eagle, Routt and Summit counties also have seen growth in their migrant populations. 

Because a portion of the appropriation would be used for administrative fees, $1.9 million would be used for the grants, according to a nonpartisan fiscal analysis. The funding is only set for one year but Velasco said she hopes to set aside more in future legislative sessions.

“We know that $1.9 million is not enough,” she said. “There’s so much more work that needs to be done.”

The bill was also sponsored by Rep. Lorena Garcia, an Adams County Democrat, Sen. Rhonda Fields, an Aurora Democrat and Sen. Lisa Cutter, a Jefferson County Democrat. 

At Wednesday’s signing at the governor’s mansion in Denver, Garcia said the bill was necessary because of the nation’s “broken immigration system” that forces local communities to take on the brunt of the influx of migrants.

“Our nonprofits are also forced to fill the gap that our government agencies cannot do,” she said. “These organizations are really good at what they do. They know this community.”

Republicans in both chambers opposed the legislation, arguing it represents “handouts” for people, some of whom entered the country illegally.

“We can’t just turn a blind eye to these folks, I get that,” said Rep. Mike Lynch, a Wellington Republican. “However, if we continue to provide services … that’s what’s going to bring these people here.”

The bill was passed 44-20 in the House and 21-12 in the Senate.