Colorado Senate Advances Bill Limiting License Plate Reader Access Without Warrant

Colorado lawmakers are advancing new limitations on how law enforcement uses automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), which are cameras that capture vehicle information and location data. These devices continuously scan and record license plates, timestamping and geotagging vehicle movements. This legislative effort addresses concerns about balancing public safety tools with individual privacy rights.

The Senate Appropriations committee approved Senate Bill 26-070 on Tuesday. This action sends the measure to the full Senate for a vote, marking a significant step in the legislative process concerning digital surveillance.

The proposed bill sets specific timeframes for data access. It would permit police to query license plate reader data for three days without needing a warrant. This provision allows for immediate investigation during initial critical periods. After this initial three-day period, a warrant becomes a requirement for continued access, introducing a judicial oversight step for longer-term investigations.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that all collected data be purged after 30 days. This means information not tied to an active case will be deleted within a month. Exceptions apply only if the data is linked to an active investigation or covered by a valid warrant, preventing indefinite storage of unassociated vehicle movement data. The legislation also includes provisions to ban sharing data with government agencies outside of Colorado and with third parties.

Law enforcement officials have offered perspective on current ALPR deployment. Deputy Chief Jeff Jensen noted that Colorado Springs operates 140 automatic license plate reader cameras across its 30,000 street lights. This indicates that the devices provide a limited and localized view, capturing only specific points rather than comprehensive, widespread, or continuous surveillance.

This legislation seeks to establish clear guardrails for a technology increasingly used by police departments. Supporters argue these measures protect constitutional rights related to privacy, specifically addressing Fourth Amendment concerns regarding searches and seizures in a technologically advanced era. Its progression reflects an ongoing discussion about surveillance capabilities and civil liberties. The full Senate will now debate the bill, determining the future framework for law enforcement access to this data and its balance with public safety objectives.