Attorney General Phil Weiser sues to force the GEO Group to cooperate with state investigation into tuberculosis case at Aurora ICE detention center

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit on Aug. 19, 2026, to force private detention operator The GEO Group to comply with a state public health order regarding a confirmed tuberculosis case in Aurora.

The legal action stems from an ongoing investigation into a confirmed tuberculosis infection identified at the Aurora ICE detention center. State officials initiated court proceedings after facility operators allegedly failed to provide mandatory public health information needed for official oversight and contact tracing.

Incident Overview

According to public health records and legal filings from the state of Colorado, health authorities identified a confirmed case of tuberculosis at the Aurora ICE detention facility. Following the diagnosis, state authorities issued a formal public health order directing facility operator The GEO Group to turn over vital administrative and health information needed to conduct an epidemiological investigation.

State officials reported that The GEO Group failed to supply the requested records. The state subsequently filed suit in court, seeking a judicial order to force the corporate detention manager to cooperate with state public health investigators working to evaluate exposure risks and enforce health standards.

Suspect Information

The GEO Group is named as the defendant in the civil enforcement filing. The Florida-based private corrections corporation manages and operates the Aurora immigration detention facility under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Investigation

The state investigation began after public health officers confirmed a positive tuberculosis case inside the Aurora detention facility. Investigators sought critical records from facility management to determine potential exposure among staff and detained individuals. Attorney General Phil Weiser intervened legally after the company did not furnish the requested information under the issued public health order.

Court Information

The enforcement lawsuit was filed on Aug. 19, 2026, by Attorney General Phil Weiser in Colorado state court. Court docket numbers and specific division assignments were not publicly released in the initial announcements.

Statements from Authorities

According to statements released by the Colorado Attorney General's Office, the lawsuit was necessary to compel The GEO Group to provide state investigators with the information required to address the confirmed tuberculosis case and safeguard public health within the Aurora facility.

What Happens Next

The lawsuit will proceed before a state court judge, who will consider the attorney general's motion to compel compliance with the public health order. The court will determine whether to issue an injunction ordering The GEO Group to immediately produce the requested records to state health investigators.

Source Attribution

This news article was compiled from official public releases and announcements published by the Colorado Attorney General's Office on Aug. 19, 2026, available on coag.gov.