Research & Publications

The first year of the Trump administration's second term played out as we feared it would, with an onslaught of attacks on civil rights. The abuses of federal power were most profoundly seen in our immigrant communities in Colorado, and across the United States. This was not unexpected. The ACLU of Colorado, as well as our national office and other state affiliates, prepared for the possibility of President Trump's second term. With lessons gained from his first term, we were equipped to respond to these escalating attacks with litigation, community organizing, and policymaking.

In this newsletter, you’ll read about our recent litigation to protect Coloradans from the Trump administration’s extreme anti-immigrant agenda, including by challenging Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) bond denial policy and the agency’s warrantless arrests. You’ll also learn about our ongoing efforts to place privacy safeguards on emerging technologies, our recent victory in securing a settlement on behalf of Danielle SeeWalker, a Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta artist, and more.

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by law enforcement agencies has accelerated dramatically in recent years. Predictive policing programs, facial recognition systems, automated license plate readers, risk assessment algorithms, and administrative tools are now commonplace across Colorado. These applications have been justified by claims about enhanced efficiency, reduced crime, and more strategic resource allocation. But the use of AI in policing raises constitutional concerns.

Economic freedom and data privacy are key components of a prosperous democratic society. Both represent individuals’ ability to exercise autonomy over their finances and personal information, which creates an environment built on transparency, fairness, and equal treatment.

The increasing integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday life has prompted many states, including Colorado, to take proactive measures to regulate personal data collection, biometric identifiers, algorithmic decision making, and strengthen consumer safety across various forms of tech.

The first half of 2025 has been full of challenges and hard work for the ACLU of Colorado. We worked tirelessly alongside partners and community members to fight back against the dismantling of civil liberties at all levels of the government.

This year’s event ended with an ACLU Lobby Day at the Capitol, where participants from all different backgrounds and geographies talked to legislators about ACLU of Colorado priority bills that directly impact them...