DENVER, CO – FWD.us Colorado State Immigration Director Marissa Molina issued the following statement today in response to Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ 2022 State of the State Address:

“During the 2021 legislative session, Governor Polis and the state legislature made important strides toward improving the lives of immigrants across our state by working together to pass comprehensive data privacy protections for immigrants accessing state government services (SB21-131), launching an Office of New Americans, and opening access to professional licenses to all immigrants in Colorado regardless of immigration status (SB21-077).

“As Governor Polis highlighted during his speech, in 2022, we must build upon past success. The governor has an opportunity to be remembered for his ‘meaningful, measurable, positive impact on the lives of Coloradans.’ It is my sincerest hope that this includes progress in support of Colorado’s immigrants.

“As an immigrant who has called Colorado home for 20 years, I am grateful for the governor’s leadership in 2021 and look forward to continued work alongside the governor and other allies in the Colorado State Legislature this year. Together, we can continue to progress by advancing policies that strengthen and improve the lives of Colorado’s immigrant community and, subsequently, all Coloradans.”