Colorado Springs: Chief Vasquez statement on CSPD's use of ALPR technology

~ Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said the department will continue using automated license plate reader technology, citing its role in investigations while outlining safeguards for access, searches and data retention.

In a statement, Vasquez said the Colorado Springs Police Department has used some form of license plate reader technology since 2009. The department's Real Time Crime Center now manages its automated license plate reader, or ALPR, program.

Vasquez said that since 2025, the technology has assisted investigations involving homicides, serious assaults and sexual assaults, robberies, kidnappings, fatal hit-and-run crashes, vehicle thefts, missing people and serious domestic violence crimes. He also said ALPR data helped officers search for and find a kidnapped 2-year-old child in Colorado Springs earlier this year.

The chief described an ALPR alert as an investigative lead, not proof that a crime occurred. He said officers and detectives must verify information and develop facts before taking enforcement action.

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Under department safeguards described by Vasquez, access to ALPR systems is limited to trained, authorized personnel. Searches of stored data must serve a legitimate law enforcement or public safety purpose, and users must record a case number and reason. He said system use is auditable and governed by department policies, which CSPD reviews and updates as laws, technology and community concerns change.

Vasquez said the department uses Axon ALPR technology and deletes license plate data after 30 days unless it is preserved as evidence or for another lawful reason. He said data sharing is restricted by law and department policy.

The statement comes amid community concerns and legislative discussions about the use of ALPR technology, according to Vasquez. He said the department recognizes concerns about the technology and considers privacy and public safety shared responsibilities.

Vasquez said CSPD will continue using what it considers appropriate law enforcement tools and will update its public safety technology website as legal requirements and policies change or the department adopts or discontinues technology.

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