Resident urges ballot question on Flock license-plate system; council to consult attorney

Mark Stamos, a Rangely resident who addressed the council during public input, urged the town to place the existing Flock license-plate reader system on the next local ballot so voters can decide whether to keep or remove it. "I'd like to propose that it be placed on the ballot for a vote at the next local election," Stamos said, adding that he believes the town has not had sufficient public input on the system.

Stamos told the council he was concerned the system sends images and movement data to a cloud and could be used in broad surveillance. He referenced a June 2025 line item in the check register, saying a $9,000 payment and a police report had noted the system's installation. "For a few bad people that might go through town, every person in this town is also being thrown into this system of capturing their data," he said, warning that aggregated travel patterns could make homes vulnerable. Council members thanked Stamos for raising the concern and said they would consult the town attorney about legal and procedural options for either placing a question on the ballot or other remedies.

The council did not take immediate action during the meeting; members said they would follow up with legal counsel to determine whether a ballot measure is procedurally appropriate or whether petition or other mechanisms would be required.