City of Boulder to Launch Competitive Bid Process to Continue License Plate Reader Technology

The City of Boulder has announced it will initiate a competitive bidding process for its license plate reader (LPR) technology to balance public safety needs with community concerns regarding data privacy. While the city currently utilizes Flock Safety as its provider, the upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) aims to ensure that future technology deployments align with updated data protection standards and oversight requirements. This move highlights a growing trend in the public safety technology sector where municipalities are seeking greater transparency and contractual flexibility from surveillance vendors.

City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde confirmed that Boulder will issue an RFP within the next month, inviting vendors to propose LPR solutions that meet the city's evolving safety and privacy criteria. The city’s current provider, Flock Safety, is expected to participate in the competitive process. In the interim, Boulder has successfully renegotiated its existing contract with Flock to include a 30-day opt-out provision without financial penalties, as well as stricter data security requirements and monthly performance review meetings. These measures are designed to bolster oversight and ensure the technology's use remains transparent to the public.

To further refine its approach to surveillance technology, the city is forming a task force of data and technology experts, scheduled to convene in mid-April. This group will provide policy guidance to city leadership on the ethical use of technology in public safety, addressing concerns about data use and potential impacts on vulnerable populations. Rivera-Vandermyde emphasized that while LPRs have proven valuable in crime prevention and response, the city must ensure these tools are governed in a way that maintains community trust.

Currently, Boulder operates 30 LPR cameras strategically placed along its main arterial traffic network. The city clarified that none of these cameras are located on private property or in commercial parking lots, despite public testimony suggesting otherwise. Any future vendor selected through the RFP process will be required to demonstrate strict adherence to Colorado law and Boulder’s specific data-sharing principles. This procurement strategy reflects a shift in the public safety market toward more rigorous compliance and value-based vendor selection.