Colorado's new laws constitute an unconstitutional attack on free speech and federal authority
Source: "Colorado wants to be the most anti-free speech state with its new laws | Fox News." April 8, 2026. www.foxnews.com
The Gist
Colorado keeps passing laws that restrict free speech and interfere with federal immigration enforcement, even though the Supreme Court has repeatedly struck down similar Colorado laws. The author argues this shows Colorado is deliberately attacking constitutional rights.
Conclusion
Colorado has become the most anti-free speech state in the union through a pattern of unconstitutional laws that attack First Amendment rights and federal authority
Premises
- Colorado has a documented history of losing major free speech cases at the Supreme Court, including Trump ballot removal, Masterpiece Cake Shop, 303 Creative, and Chiles v. Salazar
- The state continues to pass new restrictive laws despite these legal defeats, showing a pattern of disregard for constitutional rights
- Senate Bill 25-276 forces lawyers to certify they won't share court information with federal immigration officials, creating compelled speech and interfering with federal law enforcement
- House Bill 25-1312 expands public accommodation laws to include 'gender expression' and 'chosen names,' potentially restricting speech about gender identity
- These laws create vague requirements that leave lawyers and citizens uncertain about compliance, chilling protected speech
Assumptions
- Past Supreme Court defeats indicate current laws are also unconstitutional
- Requiring lawyers to certify non-cooperation with federal authorities constitutes compelled speech
- Federal immigration enforcement takes precedence over state restrictions
- Vague legal requirements inherently chill protected speech
- The pattern of legislative behavior demonstrates intentional hostility to free speech rather than good faith governance