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Denver Auditor Halts Flock Camera Contract

MAYOR JOHNSTON DEFENDS LEGALITY OF AGREEMENT

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Denver Auditor Timothy O’Brien has refused to sign the extension of the contract with Flock Safety for the use of license plate reader cameras, citing legal risks, potential violations of procurement rules, and a lack of transparency in the process. The decision opens a new institutional front in the city over surveillance and data privacy.

In a letter sent on February 17, 2026, to the police chief and the mayor, O’Brien stated that he cannot sign “in good faith” an agreement that, in his view, exposes Denver to lawsuits over the handling of personal information. The auditor noted that the company may have shared data with federal agencies despite local restrictions.

According to O’Brien, this action could violate privacy clauses included in the contract itself. He also questioned whether the contract extension was intentionally divided to avoid approval by the City Council, which could constitute a potential circumvention of the checks established in the city’s Charter.

Mayor Johnston’s Response

In addition, the auditor highlighted delays and incomplete document submissions from the administration, which, he indicated, complicated his mandatory review. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston defended the unilateral extension signed in October 2025, which keeps the contract in effect until March 2026.

Mayor Johnston stated that he acted within his authority to ensure public safety. The mayor’s office maintains that the cameras have helped solve homicides, robberies, and kidnappings without additional cost to the city. The mayor’s spokesperson, Jon Ewing, downplayed the auditor’s refusal, asserting that the contract was executed with the mayor’s signature.

Ewing added that the auditor’s refusal does not invalidate the contract’s effectiveness. The administration announced that it is evaluating alternative providers, although Flock has submitted a proposal to continue providing the service. The standoff leaves the stability of Denver’s surveillance program in question.

This conflict could escalate into a legal dispute if an agreement is not reached regarding the auditor’s authority over contracts approved by the municipal executive.