GEO Group Settles Aurora Detainee Labor Lawsuit

The settlement resolves claims that detainees at GEO's Aurora, Colorado facility were forced to work for $1 a day.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Unions

GEO Group Settles Aurora Detainee Labor Lawsuit

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GEO Group reached a settlement on Monday in a lawsuit alleging detainees at its Aurora, Colorado facility were forced to perform labor for $1 a day. The settlement terms have not been made public.

Why it matters

The case followed a 9-0 Supreme Court ruling that the Yearsley defense does not provide immunity from suit, allowing the litigation to advance. Funds are expected to be distributed to those included in the settlement after court final approval.

The settlement was reached Monday and requires a motion for preliminary approval followed by court final approval before funds are distributed. The settlement amount and terms have not been disclosed.

The players

GEO Group

A private prison operator whose Aurora, Colorado facility was at the center of the detainee labor allegations.

U.S. Supreme Court

The nation's highest court, which ruled 9-0 that the Yearsley defense does not provide immunity from suit in this case.

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

The federal appellate court that allowed nine plaintiffs to proceed on behalf of roughly 60,000 people in 2018.

The details

The lawsuit, filed in 2014 on behalf of former detainees, alleged detainees were threatened with solitary confinement to force janitorial work and that GEO avoided paying community wages. A judge dismissed the Colorado minimum wage claim, and the case proceeded on allegations of unjust profit and violation of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

2014: Lawsuit filed on behalf of former detainees.
2018: Tenth Circuit allowed nine plaintiffs to file the suit on behalf of approximately 60,000 people.
2025: Case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled 9-0 against the Yearsley defense.
Monday: GEO and the plaintiffs reached a settlement.

Legal Context

The settlement follows a Supreme Court ruling that the Yearsley defense does not shield contractors from suit, a decision that shapes how similar claims against private detention operators can proceed. The outcome reflects a broader pattern of litigation over whether detainee work programs violate federal anti-trafficking law.

Former detainees included in the settlement may receive distributed funds once the court grants final approval. The settlement's terms, including payment amounts, have not yet been disclosed, so eligibility details remain unclear.

The takeaway

Labor protections can apply to people held in custody, and court rulings on immunity defenses can determine whether such claims move forward. Readers following detention labor issues should watch for the preliminary approval filing and its published terms.