DENVER – A measure that will require United States citizenship for Colorado peace officers was debated in the state Senate before being passed by the GOP on 18-17 party-line vote Friday.

This bill will head to the Democrat-held House of Representatives for consideration.

The debate on the Senate floor centered around the message that the measure, Senate Bill 120, sends to the immigrant population of Colorado in light of the national debate on immigration.

“The timing of this could not be worse,” said Sen. Irene Aguilar, D-Denver.

Sponsor of the bill, Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, said there was no discriminatory motivation behind the bill.

“Despite the characterization of others (Senate Democrats) about this bill, it is not an anti-immigrant bill as some opponents have asserted,” he said.

Gardner said SB 120 is needed because of the authority given to peace officers, including allowances to ignore concealed carry prohibitions, enforce Colorado’s laws and, in extreme circumstances, use deadly force.

When the bill was heard in committee earlier this month, the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police testified in opposition to the bill, Gary Barbour, president of the organization and chief of the Frederick Police Department, said in an email.

Barbour said his organization does not track the number of non-citizens who are peace officers, but “there are a number who are not citizens but are working legally in this country.”

Lperkins@durangoherald.com