Legal
Colorado ACLU Cases

Legal Department Docket, 2002-Present

Case Name: American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado v. City and County of Denver
Case Number: No. 03CV7964, Denver District Court
ACLU Case Number: 2003-08

Description: This lawsuit relies on the Colorado public records laws seeking disclosure of the Memorandum of Understanding that sets out the terms of the Denver Police Department's participation in the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Although similar documents have been disclosed as public records in other cities that participate in JTTFs, Denver's City Attorney maintains that disclosure would be "contrary to the public interest." Just before a court hearing on the ACLU's request for disclosure, Denver produced a redacted version of the Memorandum of Understanding. The blacked-out portion specifies the number of officers assigned to the unit.

Issues: Open government, police practices

ACLU of Colorado Attorneys: A. Bruce Jones

Links to Selected Documents:

ACLU News Release, October 15, 2003, "ACLU Sues Denver Seeking Disclosure of Document Describing Denver Police Department's Relationship with FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force"

Verified Petition and Application for Order to Show Cause, October 15, 2003

ACLU's Memorandum of Law, October 15, 2003

Additional information about the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force from the Denver Spy Files case

Declaration of J. Robert Morrison, Unit Chief, National FBI JTTF

Redacted Memorandum of Understanding, produced by Denver, 1/14/04

Additional information on the Joint Terrorism Task Force