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ICE presence in Telluride on October 14

Posted Date: 10/15/25 (4:03 PM)

Dear Families of the Telluride School District,


As many of you know, yesterday (October 14) it was verified that U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were present in our community.  I want to assure you that we believe our schools should be considered sensitive locations, and therefore ICE officers should be expected to refrain from taking enforcement actions at or near our schools.  We have protocols in place should ICE officers attempt to access our schools.  Every student in our school is valued and belongs here, no matter where they were born, where they lived in the past, or what their immigration status is.


In the event that any family adults are detained, we are prepared to reunify their student with any adult on the Emergency Contact List for that student.  In the event that no Emergency Contacts are available, the district will care for those students until an adult is available.


I would also like to share the following information:

  • Your child’s safety is our top priority. Schools cannot deny students enrollment based on immigration status, due to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1982 Plyler v. Doe decision.

  • We don’t ask about immigration status. Federal and state laws protect students and ensure their right to a free public education.

  • Discrimination and harassment are not allowed. Laws like Title IV, Title VI, and Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act ensure that no student is treated unfairly because of their race, background, or where they’re from.

If you or your child have questions or concerns, please talk to a teacher, counselor, or Student Support Services staff member. You can also report concerns anonymously through Safe2Tell by texting S2TCO to 738477, calling 1 (877) 542-7233, or going to:  https://safe2tell.org

In Telluride, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to fostering growth and that all students, families, faculty, and staff members bring unique experiences, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives that enrich our community when recognized and celebrated. We are committed to cultivating a sense of belonging and empowering advocacy by actively listening, and welcoming everyone’s stories to create a community that is respectful, empathetic, and joyful.


John Pandolfo

Superintendent of Schools