"As a member of a minority community, I'm particularly concerned about the impact unwarranted surveillance can have on the free exercise of rights that we hold dear in this country. Our most fundamental values as Americans are at stake."
— Don Mares, Denver City Auditor
Establishing a Civil Rights and Protections Commission
Don Mares proposes establishing a Civil Rights and Protections Commission within the Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations. This commission will provide independent oversight and ensure that the civil liberties of Denver residents are protected from unwarranted government surveillance and intrusion.
Commission Structure
The Commission will be composed of two mayoral appointees and the City Council Safety Committee chair. This structure ensures both executive accountability and legislative oversight, creating a balanced body that can act independently while remaining answerable to the public.
Five-Point Policy for Criminal Investigation Files
Clear Standards for File Creation
Establish clear, written standards governing when and why criminal intelligence files may be created on individuals or organizations. No file shall be opened without a documented, articulable basis for suspicion of criminal activity.
Strict Limits on Surveillance
Prohibit surveillance, infiltration, or intelligence-gathering activities directed at individuals or groups exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech, assembly, and political activity — absent a direct connection to criminal conduct.
Regular Audits and Purging
Require regular audits of criminal intelligence files and the purging of files that no longer meet established standards. Files must be reviewed on a fixed schedule to ensure compliance and prevent the accumulation of outdated or unjustified records.
Individual Access and Correction
Provide individuals the right to access their own files and to challenge inaccurate or improperly maintained information. Residents of Denver should never be kept in the dark about whether their government is monitoring them without cause.
Independent Oversight
Vest the Civil Rights and Protections Commission with the authority to receive complaints, investigate alleged violations, and recommend disciplinary action. The Commission will report publicly on its findings to maintain transparency and public trust.
Why This Matters
The revelations about Denver's so-called "spy files" exposed a pattern of surveillance directed at law-abiding citizens engaged in peaceful political activity. Community organizations, religious groups, and individual activists were monitored not because they posed any threat to public safety, but because they exercised their constitutional rights to dissent.
Don Mares believes that public safety and civil liberties are not in conflict. A city can be both safe and free. The policies he proposes will ensure that Denver's law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to fight crime while respecting the fundamental rights that define our democracy.
As Auditor, Don has the experience to create accountability systems that work. As a member of Denver's Latino community, he understands personally what is at stake when government power goes unchecked. His plan brings both competence and conviction to a challenge that demands both.
