Fort Collins council backs use-based framework for city surveillance policy

Fort Collins City Council signaled support Tuesday for a citywide, use-based framework to govern surveillance technology and an accelerated public-engagement process aimed at producing a policy by Dec. 1. In a work session, staff said the framework would apply across city departments rather than focus only on police tools, with rules tied to how technology is used instead of regulating every device the city owns.

Staff described the framework as a way to balance operational and public-safety benefits with privacy, accountability and public trust after resident concerns over tools such as Flock. Amy Hoeven told council the city is proposing guardrails around uses that have drawn community concern, while avoiding overregulation of routine tools such as traffic sensors or utility meters. Chris Conway said the city should acquire, deploy, use, modify and manage surveillance-related technology only when it is lawful, accountable, proportionate and tied to a clear public purpose.

Conway said the approach is meant to adapt as technology changes and is not limited to law enforcement. He cited examples that could trigger review, including cybersecurity monitoring if it shifts toward tracking individual behavior, code-enforcement cameras mounted on vehicles, and questions about how data is collected, retained and shared. He also said the city already has a Technology Review Board that evaluates new technology across departments for legal, cybersecurity, compliance and purchasing issues, and that the proposed policy would add scrutiny of vendor terms and conditions and other privacy safeguards.

Council members broadly endorsed the direction and emphasized the need for broad public input. Mayor Emily Francis said the city had heard residents during earlier debate over Flock and called the response "comprehensive and inclusive." Councilmember Josh Fudge said a representative, small-group civic process could help residents weigh trade-offs around complex technologies that are hard to understand in the abstract, and he said the city should think about surveillance as an organization-wide issue, not just a law-enforcement one.

The engagement plan includes an Our City webpage, listening sessions, an open house that staff said is taking shape as a panel discussion, outreach to boards and commissions, and broader online review of draft policy sections later in the fall. Staff said the first phase will include four facilitated community conversations with about 25 handpicked participants intended to reflect a broad cross-section of Fort Collins. Hoeven said the city had already reviewed more than 150 council comments and emails on the issue, but wanted to reach residents who do not usually participate in city processes.

Councilmembers also pressed staff on who would be included. Councilmember Melanie Potyondy praised plans to involve the Disability Advisory Board, which had raised concerns about medical uses and surveillance, and asked how the city would reach residents who are often left out of public discussions. Staff said more than 50 organizations and individuals had been contacted, including business and neighborhood associations, Colorado State University groups, faith communities, advocacy groups and participants from the Fort Collins Civic Assembly. Staff also said interpretation services would be available for community conversations.

Francis called the timeline "super aggressive" and said the city appeared to be moving unusually quickly from public concern to a proposed policy framework. Staff said they expect to bring a draft policy back for council adoption consideration on Dec. 1.