The federal government signed a five-year contract with private prison operator GEO Group on July 9 that will substantially increase Colorado’s immigrant detention capacity, federal contracting records show. The agreement — worth up to $528.6 million — centers on reopening the shuttered Hudson Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison in Weld County northeast of Denver.
What the contract would mean locally
GEO Group-run facilities in Colorado already include the Aurora Contract Detention Facility, which holds up to 1,532 detainees. Bringing Hudson back online, with space for about 1,188, would raise statewide capacity to roughly 2,720 beds — nearly double the current total in the state.
Hudson sits about 30 miles northeast of downtown Denver. Built in 2009, the facility previously held people transferred from Alaska until it closed in 2014. GEO Group reports the prison has four separate housing units intended to house different detainee populations, including men and women.
"We expect that our company-leased Big Horn Facility in Colorado will play an important role in helping meet the need for increased federal immigration processing center bedspace," George C. Zoley, GEO’s CEO and founder, said in a statement.
Operational timeline and ownership
GEO told Immigration and Customs Enforcement in its proposal that, depending on operational needs and specifics, the Hudson site could begin receiving detainees "in a matter of months." The facility is owned by Highlands REIT Inc., a real estate investment firm, and would be operated under GEO’s ongoing contract with the federal government. GEO and ICE have partnered on detention operations for about four decades.
- Contract length: five years
- Contract value: up to $528.6 million
- Hudson capacity: about 1,188 beds
- Aurora capacity: 1,532 beds
- Total Colorado capacity if Hudson reopens: approx. 2,720 beds
Local officials in the town of Hudson have been approached for comment. When contacted, Hudson Town Manager Bryce Lange directed inquiries to a two-page community information update about the detention facility rather than providing additional remarks.
| Facility | Reported bed capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson Correctional Facility | 1,188 | Built 2009; housed transfers from Alaska until 2014; owned by Highlands REIT |
| Aurora Contract Detention Facility | 1,532 | Operated by GEO Group |
| Total (if Hudson reopens) | 2,720 | Statewide immigration detention capacity |
Why this matters
Expanding detention beds touches a range of local and policy issues — from municipal services and economic impacts in small towns to statewide immigration enforcement practices. For Hudson, the facility’s capacity is notable in local context: GEO has said the 1,188-bed total represents about 60% of the town’s population. Reopening could bring jobs and contracts, but also renewed scrutiny over detention conditions and the role of private companies in carrying out federal immigration policy.
The deal follows discussions last year in which the federal administration indicated plans to repurpose the previously shuttered site. With the contract execution now public, state and local officials, advocacy groups and community members will likely press for details about timelines, oversight and how detainee populations would be managed.
News Block will continue to monitor documents filed with federal contracting authorities, statements from GEO Group and responses from Weld County and the town of Hudson as the situation develops.
