In 2006, Colorado passed what was at that time the most strict immigration law in the country. The 2006 Colorado Immigration Law was designed to require that all persons who were receiving state benefits to verify their immigration status. Colorado Immigration Attorneys were among the lobbyists watching this bill carefully.

The bills which were signed into law, required that every person who was a recipient of state benefits had to be a legal citizen in order to obtain those benefits. If they were in the state illegally, they did not qualify for state assistance. The bipartisan package of bills was passed in a special session.

Senators voted 22-13 in favor of the bills. Eight Republicans joined the Democrats in voting to pass the bill. The contention was that the bills would reduce the dollar amount of benefits paid out in the state. The state is estimated to have over one million people on public assistance.