Elbert County board enters executive session to discuss surveillance‑technology legislation

Contract lobbyist Steve Bell Serovich alerted the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 4 to a bill proposing restrictions on law‑enforcement use of surveillance technologies, including facial recognition, automated license‑plate readers (ALPRs) and certain drone camera uses. Commissioners discussed civil‑liberties concerns and the bill’s public‑safety exceptions.

"This is putting restrictions on the use of such systems," Steve Bell Serovich said, explaining components of the draft legislation.

County Attorney Lance Ingalls briefed the board on the statute permitting executive sessions for negotiations and strategy. He cited the Colorado open‑meetings statute authority for closed deliberations on negotiation strategy and instructing negotiators (CRS 24‑6‑402(4)(e)). After a motion by Commissioner Dallas Schroeder and a second from Wendy Holmes, the board voted unanimously to enter executive session under that statutory citation.

Why it matters: The bill would narrow allowable uses of facial recognition (generally requiring a warrant or an imminent public‑safety threat), restrict certain traffic‑camera and ALPR uses to defined enforcement purposes, and require drones to comply with federal law. Commissioners said they wanted time to study the draft and develop negotiating positions.

Next steps: The board moved into executive session to develop negotiation strategy and instruct negotiators; staff will follow statutory procedures for meeting minutes and public‑session reporting when appropriate.