This doesn’t appear to be the most well thought out bit of legislation passed by Colorado Democrats. Or maybe it is very well thought out. They get great political headlines highlighting how tough they are on those dreaded illegal immigrants, and no Democrat interest groups get harmed in the process. Kind of like dolphin safe tuna. From the Gazette:

Colorado’s crackdown on illegal immigrants in 2006 was heralded as one of the toughest in the nation.

New laws were supposed to stop illegal immigrants from getting most tax-funded services and ban the government from signing contracts with companies that employ them. State voters in November ordered the Colorado attorney general to sue the federal government, demanding enforcement of immigration laws.

“We are writing Colorado history here,” said Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Coal Creek Canyon.

Two years later, people on all sides say the reforms have made little difference.

The biggest change came with a 2006 law that required adults seeking most government services to prove they are in the country legally by showing ID such as a driver’s license. Government administrators initially bristled at the added cost and hassle of checking IDs, but several said last week that the effect has been minimal.

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