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Residents urge Pitkin County to pause ALPR camera data‑sharing over privacy concerns
Summary
Two public commenters on May 27 asked Pitkin County to pause use and data sharing of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, citing privacy, immigrant‑safety concerns and reports that external agencies have searched local ALPR data.
Katia Galambos and Tracy Zabel told the Board of County Commissioners on May 27 that automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras raise serious privacy and civil‑liberties concerns and that Pitkin County should pause ALPR use until data‑sharing safeguards are strengthened.
Galambos, who described herself as a Pitkin County resident, said ALPR systems “represent a rapidly expanding form of surveillance technology” that collects and stores location data about residents and visitors often without meaningful consent. She told commissioners some outside agencies have used ALPR records from Colorado jurisdictions for immigration‑related searches and urged the county to stop sharing data with external agencies and to adopt greater transparency and community oversight of surveillance technologies.
Tracy Zabel said she had met with local police departments and municipal councils and called for public education about the difference between ALPR and speed cameras. Both commenters urged that data‑sharing be limited and that county policies explain clearly what is collected, retention periods and who can access records.
No formal staff action on ALPR was taken during the meeting; commissioners thanked the speakers and acknowledged concerns.
Next steps: Commissioners did not vote on ALPR policy that day. Speakers asked to meet with county staff to review policy and transparency measures.
