Las Animas County Commissioners Pass Second Amendment Sanctuary Resolution in Trinidad

Las Animas County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to designate the county a Second Amendment sanctuary, adding this southern Colorado community to a growing list of counties pushing back against proposed state-level gun-control legislation they say infringes on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.

The 3-0 vote, taken before a packed crowd of approximately 140 residents at the Las Animas County Courthouse in Trinidad, directs county departments not to use local funds or personnel to enforce any state law, regulation, or executive order that infringes on the right to keep and bear arms.

The Resolution

The resolution, introduced by Commissioner Gerald Cisneros, affirms the county's support for the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 13 of the Colorado Constitution, which states: "The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called in question."

The measure specifically targets several pieces of proposed state legislation, including House Bill 24-1270, which would ban the manufacture, sale, and possession of certain semi-automatic firearms that the bill's sponsors classify as "assault weapons," and House Bill 24-1273, which would raise the minimum age to purchase any firearm in Colorado to 21.

"We believe these bills, if passed, would violate the constitutional rights of the people of Las Animas County," Commissioner Cisneros said. "And we're sending a clear message that this county will not use its resources to enforce unconstitutional laws."

A County with Deep Gun Heritage

Las Animas County, located in southern Colorado along the New Mexico border, is a rural community with a population of approximately 14,000. Trinidad, the county seat, has a population of approximately 8,200. The county has a long ranching, mining, and hunting heritage, and gun ownership is deeply embedded in the local culture.

"Out here, a gun isn't a political statement," said lifelong Trinidad resident and rancher Frank Gomez. "It's a tool. I carry one on my ranch every day — for predators, for putting down injured livestock, for protection. My grandfather carried one. My father carried one. I carry one. And no politician in Denver is going to tell me I can't."

According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Las Animas County has one of the highest rates of concealed carry permit holders per capita in the state, with approximately 11% of eligible adults holding active permits — more than double the state average.

The Broader Colorado Movement

Las Animas County joins at least 37 of Colorado's 64 counties that have passed some form of Second Amendment sanctuary resolution since 2020, when the state legislature passed a "red flag" law allowing law enforcement to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others.

The movement accelerated in 2024 when Democratic legislators introduced a package of gun-control bills, including the assault weapons ban and the raised purchase age. While several of those bills failed in committee, sponsors have pledged to reintroduce them in the 2027 legislative session.

"Denver and Boulder politicians keep pushing these bills that would disarm law-abiding citizens, and rural Colorado keeps pushing back," said Commissioner Tony Hassler. "The people of Las Animas County don't want Denver telling them what guns they can own. We can take care of ourselves. We don't need the state to protect us from our own rights."

Law Enforcement Support

Las Animas County Sheriff Louis Giraldo expressed support for the resolution, noting that his office has limited resources and prioritizes violent crime.

"I have 15 deputies covering 4,800 square miles," Sheriff Giraldo said. "We respond to domestic violence calls, drug investigations, thefts, assaults. We don't have the time, the manpower, or the inclination to go door-to-door checking whether someone's rifle has a pistol grip or a folding stock. That's not what my deputies are for."

Giraldo said the resolution does not authorize his office to break the law, but rather establishes the county's position that it will not voluntarily assist in enforcing measures it deems unconstitutional.

"If the state passes a law and the courts uphold it, we'll follow the law," Giraldo said. "But until then, we're not going to be Denver's enforcement arm. Our priority is protecting the people of Las Animas County from actual crime — not from their own constitutional rights."

Community Response

The public comment period drew speakers from across Las Animas County and neighboring counties, with supporters outnumbering opponents by approximately 8 to 1.

"I'm a mother of three, and I own a firearm for home protection," said Trinidad resident Rebecca Martinez. "I've taken safety courses. I've trained my teenagers on proper handling. I exercise my constitutional right responsibly. And I'm tired of being treated like a criminal by politicians who've never set foot in my community."

Two speakers opposed the resolution, arguing that gun restrictions save lives. "I understand the concerns about constitutional rights," said Trinidad resident David Chen. "But we also have a responsibility to address gun violence. These bills are designed to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of people who would use them to harm others."

Commissioner Cisneros responded by noting that the bills in question target law-abiding gun owners, not criminals. "Criminals don't follow gun laws," Cisneros said. "These bills only affect the people who are already following the rules. They don't make anyone safer. They just take rights away from people who've done nothing wrong."

What Happens Next

The resolution takes effect immediately. While it cannot legally override state law, it formally establishes Las Animas County's position and directs county departments not to assist in enforcing gun-control measures the county deems unconstitutional.

Commissioner Hassler said the county is prepared to defend its position. "If the state tries to force the issue, we'll see them in court," Hassler said. "The Constitution is on our side. The people of Las Animas County are on our side. And we're not backing down."

The resolution will be sent to Governor Jared Polis, the state legislature, and Colorado's congressional delegation, with a formal request that they oppose any legislation that infringes on Second Amendment rights.

"This isn't just about Las Animas County," Cisneros said. "It's about every rural community in Colorado that believes in the Constitution. And we're going to keep fighting until those rights are secure."