Denver Picks Axon to Replace Flock License-Plate Readers, Tightening Data Controls

Overview

• Mayor Mike Johnston said the Flock Safety contract will end March 31, with Axon proposed to take over license-plate reader services immediately after under a one-year agreement.
• City officials say Axon will retain data for 21 days, bar access for federal authorities including ICE, forgo a national database and AI training uses, undergo regular reviews, and keep Denver as sole data owner.
• Denver plans to stop routine sharing of plate-reader data with outside agencies, shifting to invitation-only access under agreed rules.
• Police cite investigative value for 2025, saying the system helped recover more than 400 stolen vehicles and aided homicide and non-fatal shooting cases.
• The change follows sustained privacy objections and contract oversight disputes, including a prior council rejection and an auditor’s refusal to countersign, as a state bill to require warrants for LPR data advances.