Gov. Hickenlooper against Gitmo detainee transfer proposal

Gov. John Hickenlooper is speaking out against the potential transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to Fremont County, saying he’s opposed to the idea because of local opposition.

Hickenlooper said Tuesday he’s been hearing from county residents who say the community is against the transfer and that he’ll respect their wishes.

Two prisons in the county are being considered as possible locations to house the detainees as part of President Barack Obama’s plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

While Hickenlooper says he doubts the White House will end up choosing Colorado, he says he will stand by residents and be “firmly against” the transfer in the event that it does happen.

Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet also recently joined Republican Sen. Cory Gardner in opposing the move.