Committee Approves Bill to Safeguard Coloradans’ Privacy
SB26-070 aims to better protect Coloradans’ personal data collected by Automated License Plate Reader technology
DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, aimed at protecting Coloradans’ personal data collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) from being indiscriminately shared and retained.
“New technologies can serve as useful tools for law enforcement, and our goal is not to limit their use to keep Coloradans safe,” Amabile said. “However, keeping Coloradans safe also means ensuring their privacy is not being invaded, that their data is secure and not used by ICE or against people seeking reproductive health care. This bill will provide clear rules for law enforcement, safeguard privacy, and strengthen public trust without compromising public safety.”
SB26-070, cosponsored by Senator Lynda Zamora Wilson, R-El Paso County, would establish a framework that preserves law enforcement’s ability to protect public safety while ensuring that access to historical location information collected by ALPRs complies with the Fourth Amendment.
To establish these standards, the bill would:
Require law enforcement to attain a valid warrant to access historical location information, except for limited exceptions like emergency situations where a warrant is deemed impractical;
Prevent data sharing with out-of-state agencies, except under clearly defined circumstances or court order;
Prohibit the sale of historical location data;
Mandate the creation of a detailed data access record as well as routine audits and public reports;
Limit the length of time historical information may be retained to 30 days, unless a warrant or active investigation justifies longer retention; and
Authorize the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief for intentional violations.
ALPR technologies, like Flock cameras, have raised concerns in recent years, and their use in immigration enforcement operations has sparked outrage in Denver and cities across Colorado. Flock currently operates in 75 communities in Colorado.
SB26-070 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.