Denver’s councilmembers want to change the city charter to allow noncitizens to become either police officers or firefighters, a move that supporters said would help the city recruit and fill public safety positions.  

The proposal’s sponsor said if the measure is enacted, it would open up responder positions to permanent legal residents and recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program that allowed immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children to lawfully remain in the U.S. 

In order to do so, the Denver City Council needs to eliminate language in the charter that prevents the police and fire departments from hiring noncitizens.

Altering the charter also requires the approval of Denver voters.

The sheriff’s department and Denver paramedics are already excluded from the charter’s provision that bars the hiring of noncitizens; hence, they won’t be affected by any changes.

Councilmembers plan to discuss placing the bill on the ballot for the upcoming November election, according to Council President Jamie Torres, who sponsored the measure, along with Councilmember Amanda Sandoval.

Torres emphasized noncitizens must have work authorization to apply for first responder roles.

“A lot of people have jumped to the conclusion that people who are not documented would be able to now be police or fire department applicants, and that’s simply not true,” Torres told The Denver Gazette.

Applicants must be fluent in English and complete necessary training, according to Torres.

“This opens it up largely, I think, to legal permanent residents and DACA recipients,” Torres said. “A lot of this comes on the heels of us also knowing we are not filling our recruit classes.”

Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas supports the move.

“The proposed city ordinance change and the already passed state legislation are legislative updates I have long advocated for,” he said in a letter back in August.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed into law a bill last year to open up opportunities for noncitizens to serve as peace officers, but “current city ordinances precludes us from welcoming these individuals into our ranks,” Thomas said.

“I look forward to welcoming the experiences and unique talents of all those who call Denver home into our department,” the police chief said.

A Denver Fire Department spokesperson told The Denver Gazette it is too early in the process for the department to comment on the proposal.

“The leadership of the two departments are very supportive,” Torres said. ”I think they look at it both in terms of broadening an applicant pool and getting some great diversification without ever lowering their standard for what they expect out of police officers and firefighters.”