Sen. John Hickenlooper Presses Geo Group for Tuberculosis Data in Aurora

“We’re not going to release any information on the advice of counsel.”

Sen. John Hickenlooper stood outside the Geo Corporation ICE detention center in Aurora on Monday and repeated that phrase like a broken record. He walked in with questions about tuberculosis. He walked out without answers.

The deadline for compliance was clear. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a state public health order last week. It demanded information on the tuberculosis investigation. The Geo Group had until midnight to comply.

Hickenlooper asked if they would follow the order. The Geo representatives wouldn’t say.

A spokesperson for the state department confirmed shortly after 5 p.m. that Geo had not yet provided the required data. The clock was ticking down to midnight.

This is more than a paperwork delay. It’s a jurisdictional fight. Local and state health officials argue they have the right to inspect and investigate. They want to protect the community surrounding the facility in Aurora, as well as those inside.

The Geo Group disagrees. They contend local inspections infringe on federal authority. They are currently suing in federal court to block a state law that strengthens local inspection powers.

Hickenlooper noted the irony. A single case of tuberculosis was identified in June. Adams County health authorities issued an order. The Geo Group ignored it. Then the state stepped in with its own order.

“I’ve never in my life seen a time where a direct order from the county public health authority or a direct order from the state office of public health is ignored,” Hickenlooper said.

He quoted the Geo Group’s defense: “No, we’re not required to do that and the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is going to be OK with that.”

Hickenlooper didn’t look convinced. He planned to call CDC officials later Monday to press the issue directly.

The standoff has deepened since July 15, when Hickenlooper first toured the facility. The Colorado Sun reported on that visit. He walked in asking who had been tested, what type of investigation was underway, and where exposed individuals were located.

The answers he received then mirrored the silence today: “We’re not going to release any information on the advice of counsel.”

Make no mistake, this affects Aurora neighbors. If the Geo Group continues to ignore state orders, local health officials lose leverage. They cannot effectively monitor disease spread if they are blocked from accessing records and conducting inspections.

The state law in question strengthens the ability of local authorities to act. The Geo Group’s lawsuit seeks to neutralize that power. Until the courts decide, or until the CDC weighs in, the facility remains a gray zone.

Hickenlooper’s visit highlighted the disconnect between federal operations and local oversight. The facility operates under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, yet it sits in Aurora, Colorado. It is subject to state laws and local health concerns.

The Geo Group’s refusal to release information on the advice of counsel suggests they are prioritizing legal strategy over transparency. They believe the CDC will approve their handling of the tuberculosis case. Hickenlooper intends to verify that belief with the CDC directly.

The short version: The Geo Group has until midnight Monday to provide data. They have not done so yet. Hickenlooper is calling the CDC. The legal battle continues.

Read that again. The state issued an order. The county issued an order. The facility ignored both. Now the senator is calling the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see if they agree with the facility’s defiance.

The community is waiting for answers. The Geo Group is staying silent.