Discussion that’s reportedly taking place among members of the Trump administration could significantly limit international travel into Colorado depending on how it shakes out.

According to a report from Reuters, the head of the U.S. Homeland Security Department said on May 28 that the Trump administration could stop processing international travelers and cargo at Newark airport amid concerns related to local law enforcement failing to assist with federal immigration officials. The concern stems from how local police are reportedly not ensuring that federal immigration officers can enter and exit a detention center in New Jersey, which may result in reassigning airport customs officials for the task. The reassignment may mean that international flights couldn’t be properly processed, which would prevent international travelers from further entering the United States after their flight lands.

How does this impact Colorado, though? The Reuters report also states that the Trump administration “was drawing up plans to stop processing international travelers and cargo at major U.S. airports in ‘sanctuary cities’ that have declined to cooperate with an immigration crackdown” and the city of Denver was previously published on a list of these ‘sanctuary cities,’ along with eight others, including Newark.

Aside from Denver International Airport, the closest major international airport for out-of-country travelers headed to Colorado appears to be Albuquerque International Sunport, which is roughly a six and a half hour drive from the Mile High City.

According to Denver International Airport, 4.8 million international travelers traveled through DEN in 2025, which accounts for roughly six percent of the 82.4 million travelers that utilized the airport that year. It’s the fourth-busiest airport in the United States and the 10th-busiest in the world.

While no changes related to international travel into Denver International Airport and other American hubs seem to be set in stone, the discussion about potential changes appears to be taking place. If aforementioned changes end up coming to fruition, there would likely be a significant impact when it comes to Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy, as many international travelers visit the state’s ski resorts and parks each year – the majority of whom likely arrive in Colorado via Denver International Airport.

Note from the author: Because this report is based on political discussion, I did my best to find an unbiased source among the many sources that are reporting on this topic. AllSides rates Reuters as a ‘Center’ media source with no lean right or left. Here’s what AllSides says about that rating: Sources rated as ‘center’ “either do not show much predictable media bias, display a balance of articles with left and right biases, or equally balance left and right perspectives […] Center media bias rating does not necessarily mean a source is totally unbiased, neutral, perfectly reasonable, or credible, just as Left and Right don’t necessarily mean extreme, wrong, unreasonable, or not credible. AllSides encourages people to read outlets across the political spectrum.”

Find the full in-depth Reuters report here.

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