COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – As state lawmakers look to regulate law enforcement’s use of automated license plate readers, the Springs will bring more to the area.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez recently announced the city will be adding more automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, to the area.

“We’re nearly tripling the number of ALPR cameras in our city, which will help us locate stolen vehicles, identify suspects, and piece together what happened after a crime occurs,” said Vasquez.

The cameras are used in the department’s real-time crime center, and CSPD is transitioning from the company FLOCK to using AXON cameras.

“These ALPR cameras are going to be throughout our entire city when they’re all up, and they are just absolutely amazing,” said Vasquez.

These additions are happening as proposed legislation on the state level looks to put guardrails around how law enforcement can use the data collected by the cameras.

SB-26-070 looks to require a warrant for law enforcement to access the data, except in certain emergency situations.

Many crime-solving tools already require warrants before use, and one of the sponsors of the bill, Rep. Kenny Van Nguyen, said the way the cameras are used right now has the possibility to violate the Fourth Amendment.

“I think we can all agree that this new emergency, emerging technology can be useful in stopping and preventing crime,” Nguyen continued. “Our bill is trying to make sure we have a way to measure accountability, and I think that’s what we want, transparency and accountability.”

The state representative added that the proposed legislation is not looking to ban the cameras; it’s just looking to put procedures in place on how they can be used.

“The reality right now is that in this current day, with ICE raids using access to this, you know, nationwide data. I mean, that’s a concern for me as a person of color, as a person who is a son of immigrants. I am concerned that my data and my license plates can be used through the Department of Homeland Security,” said Nguyen.

CSPD Chief Vasquez is against the legislation, though, saying it will impede investigations.

“Criminals don’t respect city limits or jurisdictional boundaries,” Vasquez continued. “When agencies are prevented from sharing lawful and relevant information quickly, investigations slow, victims in our community face greater risk and accountability for criminal sufferers.”

The chief said there are already a lot of guardrails on the local level.

“None of these systems operate without rules. CSPD already operates under strict guidelines and strong safeguards established by the United States Constitution, the Colorado Constitution, state records retention laws, court oversight, and detailed department policies that govern how technology can be used, how long it can be retained, and how information is shared,” said Vasquez.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade is also against the bill. He said the governor will veto it if it reaches his desk.

“I think he prefers that we kill it and not get to a place where he has to veto, so we will do our best to make sure we kill it,” said Mobolade.

11 News reached out to the governor’s office about the mayor’s comments, and his team sent back the following:

“The Governor is focused on keeping Coloradans and our communities safe, his team has shared concerns on this legislation with the sponsors, and is skeptical of any action that makes it harder for law enforcement to keep our communities safe.”

The governor’s office also said the Colorado Department of Public Safety will be testifying against the bill.

Colorado Springs Attorney Tim Bussey said if there is the possibility for misuse of the technology, there is the possibility for privacy violations.

“There are a lot of right to privacy and potentially Fourth Amendment issues that can come about when using ALPRS, and when you think about it, the Fourth Amendment is really against unreasonable search and seizures, and a key word there is whether it’s reasonable or not,” said Bussey.

A hearing is set to be held on the bill on February 23.

Another sponsor of the bill, State Senator Judy Amabile, sent 11 News the following statement:

“I have not spoken directly with the Governor on this legislation. We are working diligently with privacy advocates, law enforcement stakeholders, and impacted state departments to craft a policy that will protect Coloradans’ rights. The bill does not impede law enforcement’s ability to act decisively when lives or investigations are on the line.”

“My constituents are asking for some reasonable guardrails on surveillance systems already widely deployed in their communities. SB 26-070 reflects a choice long embedded in American law: we do not grant the government unlimited access to people’s homes, papers, or personal information absent a clear and lawful reason. In places without meaningful Fourth Amendment protections, routine surveillance, broad data collection, and unchecked information sharing erodes public trust. This bill ensures law enforcement retains full authority to act decisively in emergencies, while preventing the normalization of constant monitoring.”