Gov. Bill Owens signed a bill into law Tuesday that will launch a new unit aimed at enforcing immigration laws and laws against human trafficking and smuggling.

"There are few crimes more heinous than the smuggling and trafficking of human beings. Enforcement is a key element in the state's efforts to stop this appalling practice and the new CSP unit will play a critical role," Owens said.

The immigration unit will eventually include 24 members. Colorado State Patrol said they need this unit to deal with both traffic safety and immigration issues.

"We don't want to take the resources from traffic safety out on the road," said trooper Eric Wynn. "This is a resource for our agency so we can continue to achieve our goal to improve the traffic safety on the road ways."

On July 1, 12 current Colorado State troopers will join the team specifically targeting immigration enforcement on the road. They will be trained both by the Colorado State Patrol and by federal agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It's a program modeled after similar effort in Alabama, Florida and Arizona.

Colorado State Patrol will add another 12 members with the intention of being fully operational by July 2007. They will also add new troopers to the State Patrol to replace those moving to the program.

Last week Gov. Owens signed two other bills that make human smuggling and human trafficking felonies.