DENVER -- At Denver’s Cinco de Mayo celebration Sunday, some people said that behind the festive spirit was fear.

”If the federal government doesn’t do anything about this, laws like the one enacted in Arizona are going to be common place in every other state,” said Fernando Sergio, a KBNO radio host who helped organize a “Boycott Arizona” campaign.

Arizona’s recently passed immigration law allows police to ask anyone they have stopped for proof of legal residency.

“It’s a clear violation of everybody’s constitutional right,” said Denver City Councilman Paul Lopez, who has proposed a proclamation supporting reform. “We don’t want to see something like that happen here, and that’s why we feel the federal government needs to step in and actually pass comprehensive immigration reform this year.”

The proclamation’s recommendations include robust border control, but also a path to citizenship for those here illegally and equitable access to higher education for students already being educated in American public schools.

“I agree there is a need for reform. I don’t agree we should be rewarding people who have broken our laws and come into our country illegally,” said Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch.

He said many will be watching to see how Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper handles it.

“Since he’s running for governor statewide, I can assure you most of the people in Colorado do not agree we should be giving amnesty to illegal immigrants, nor should we be giving in-state tuition to illegal immigrants,” said Harvey.

The city council will consider the proclamation in Monday night’s meeting.

It is not legally binding, but supporters said it does send a strong message to Washington that immigration reform needs to happen now.

Read the draft proclamation