The Glenwood Springs City Council withdrew a vote on a $2.4 million sole-source police technology contract following public pushback over surveillance capabilities, capping off a series of meetings that also featured demands to close a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
During the May 21 meeting, Police Chief Joseph Deras presented a 10-year, $2.4 million contract with Axon for new body cameras, artificial intelligence software to draft police reports, and a drone first-responder program. The drones would deploy within two minutes of a dispatch call. After councilors expressed a need for public input regarding the drones, the council withdrew the motion to approve the contract and scheduled it for a future regular agenda.
The delay followed public comment focused on data privacy and the city’s use of Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. Residents Bailey Leppek and Doug Winter urged the council to defund the ALPR program. Leppek cited a lack of multi-factor authentication, risks of stalking, and the sharing of data with ICE as civil liberties violations. The council directed staff to schedule a work session to review the ALPR program.
Residents also targeted the ICE facility located at 100 Midland Avenue. Across multiple meetings, Ashley Stahl, Mae Gray, and Judy Haynes demanded the city shut the facility down. Stahl presented public records indicating the site operated on an expired temporary certificate of occupancy for 20 years. Gray, serving as the Garfield County Democrats Chair, noted ICE hired private security against protesters and urged the council not to renew the facility’s lease. City Attorney Karl Hanlon stated the city lacks the authority to force the federal government to comply with local zoning or permitting codes due to the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Resident Myles Rovig criticized the council’s decision to withdraw the Glenwood Springs Police Department from the TRIDENT and SPEAR regional drug task forces. Councilor Sumner Schachter responded that the withdrawal stemmed from legal compliance concerns with state law and an inflexible memorandum of understanding, emphasizing the city maintains full confidence in its own police force.
Resident Ned alleged his First Amendment rights were violated during an altercation with Fire Marshal Robin Pitt and police over fire alarms at a building managed by Crystal Properties. City Manager Steve Boyd later defended the emergency responders, stating he reviewed the body camera footage and fully supported the departments’ handling of the incident.
To reduce the strain on emergency services, the council approved an escalating fee schedule for excessive false alarms and non-transport medical calls from licensed care facilities. Following a two-call grace period, excessive false alarms will incur fines of $500 for the third and fourth calls, and $2,500 for the fifth.
The council unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-10, codifying an odd/even watering schedule for residents. The ordinance restricts outdoor watering between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to formalize drought-management practices the city has utilized since 2018.
The council authorized signatures for the purchase of 1441 Riverside Drive. Boyd noted the property provides necessary river corridor access and includes a home that will be utilized as workforce housing for public safety personnel.
City Engineer Ryan Gordon outlined summer construction projects, confirming the full closure of Coach Miller Drive and 19th Street for infrastructure upgrades, alongside progress on the Highway 6/24 trail. Recreation Manager Steve Frederick requested feedback on the city’s special events portfolio, noting the department’s non-personnel budget was reduced to $100,000 for the year.
The council approved a right-of-way encroachment license for 315 8th Street to accommodate electrical transformers and protective bollards. The council also unanimously approved a fourth-quarter budget amendment.
During a scheduled work session, the council discussed a policy for supporting local requests, propane canister availability restrictions, and wildland fire preparedness.
The council unanimously approved its consent agenda, which included the May 7, 2026 minutes; a $619,978 contract to Frontier Paving, Inc. for Soccer Field Road improvements; an award to Holmes Construction for the Mitchell Creek Substation and electric storage yard expansions; and authorization to apply for a Safe Streets for All grant for the Midland Avenue/Wulfsohn Avenue roundabout. The council appointed Bruce Barth to the Downtown Development Authority, Ashley to the Transportation Commission, and Hailey Harris and Lindsey Babiak to the Arts and Culture Board.
The meeting concluded with an announcement for a social gathering at Doc Holliday’s.
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