FRISCO, Colo. — The Summit County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation unfolded in Dillon Valley on Tuesday afternoon.
Sources confirmed to Denver7 Investigates that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a criminal warrant at Hacienda Real, a Mexican restaurant in Frisco.
The restaurant said this resulted from an anonymous tip to authorities.
Deputies responded to Straight Creek Drive to address community safety and traffic, but are "not providing support or assistance for this operation, nor has ICE requested any," according to a statement by the sheriff's office.
"As far as we know, this is a targeted criminal investigation, not civil immigration enforcement," said Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons.
The sheriff's office insisted its agency was only made aware of the operation as it began through a call to dispatch, per the sheriff.
Just five days before the operation, the sheriff's office released a statement concerning rumors indicating ICE activity in the area and insisting the rumors were false.
In an updated statement, the sheriff's office said it "never commented on whether an ICE operation would occur in the future. We have no way of knowing such information. ICE has federal law enforcement powers; they can operate anywhere and at any time under their legal authority."
The statement continued, "As a matter of policy, we don’t confirm or comment on potential operations involving other agencies. Our priority is always public safety and community trust, and we will share information when it’s appropriate to do so."
- Read the full statement below
"ICE conducted an operation in Summit County today. This morning, we learned about ICE’s operation as it began, through a call to dispatch.
It was part of a targeted federal criminal investigation. The Sheriff’s Office did not provide any support or assistance for the operation, nor did ICE request any. Deputies responded to a call for service at Straight Creek Drive, ensuring community safety by helping with crowd and traffic control.
ICE’s primary purpose today was to serve search warrants connected to their criminal investigation, not to conduct civil immigration enforcement. They have publicly stated that no arrests were made.
On September 11, 2025, we posted that no ICE operation had occurred. That was true, and specifically posted to ease community concern due to ongoing rumors. At that time, people were concerned that loved ones had been detained or arrested by ICE, when, in fact, they had not been.
The Sheriff’s Office never commented on whether an ICE operation would occur in the future. We have no way of knowing such information. ICE has federal law enforcement powers; they can operate anywhere and at any time under their legal authority.
As a matter of policy, we don’t confirm or comment on potential operations involving other agencies. Our priority is always public safety and community trust, and we will share information when it’s appropriate to do so.
This is likely not the last time we see ICE in our community. When such incidents occur, it is best to have a plan, understand your rights, and remain calm and peaceful."
Hacienda Real wrote in a social media post that the operation was the result of an anonymous call during which someone alleged that people in the U.S. illegally were working at the restaurant. The post indicated that it had been cooperating with ICE "for months."
"Unfortunately, this process has led to a broader inspection of the entire restaurant," the post continued. "As part of this investigation, our work team was removed, including the computers we use day to day, so we find ourselves in the need to keep the restaurant temporarily closed while everything is being reviewed."
Denver7 Investigates called the restaurant to speak with the owner, but were told no one was interested in commenting at this time.
