Stephen Hamilton says he opposes Flock cameras and that government "should not be building a searchable record of where innocent people travel"
Stephen HamiltonAmerican Constitution Party candidate for governor of Colorado, in an emailed statement
In an email to Dispute Index on October 5, 2026, Stephen Hamilton, the American Constitution Party candidate for governor of Colorado, said he opposes Flock cameras because privacy should apply to everyone, including the people who build and operate surveillance technology. He asked why ordinary Coloradans should be treated differently, said government "should not be building a searchable record of where innocent people travel", and urged law enforcement to investigate crimes and pursue criminals "without turning every citizen into a surveillance target".
“I oppose Flock cameras because privacy should apply to everyone—including the people who build and operate surveillance technology. If the people behind these systems believe their own photographs, personal information, or movements deserve protection, then why should ordinary Coloradans be treated differently? Government should not be building a searchable record of where innocent people travel. Tell law enforcement to do the job they were hired to do—investigate crimes, pursue criminals, and protect the public without turning every citizen into a surveillance target.”
Emailed statement
Read the full email
I oppose Flock cameras because privacy should apply to everyone—including the people who build and operate surveillance technology. If the people behind these systems believe their own photographs, personal information, or movements deserve protection, then why should ordinary Coloradans be treated differently? Government should not be building a searchable record of where innocent people travel. Tell law enforcement to do the job they were hired to do—investigate crimes, pursue criminals, and protect the public without turning every citizen into a surveillance target.
Where this statement fits
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Networked automated license-plate readers record passing vehicles and let agencies search or share travel records across locations. Candidates and officials disagree over whether to prohibit these networks, keep them with legal limits, or defend their use for investigations. This tracker records attributable positions on that choice, including proposals that would affect only public funding or data access.
Source and context
Emailed statement
Emailed statement from Stephen Hamilton to Dispute Index on Flock license-plate cameras
I oppose Flock cameras because privacy should apply to everyone—including the people who build and operate surveillance technology. If the people behind these systems believe their own photographs, personal information, or movements deserve protection, then why should ordinary Coloradans be treated differently? Government should not be building a searchable record of where innocent people travel. Tell law enforcement to do the job they were hired to do—investigate crimes, pursue criminals, and protect the public without turning every citizen into a surveillance target.
About this source
Stephen Hamilton, the American Constitution Party candidate for governor of Colorado, sent this statement by email in reply to Dispute Index's questions on Flock-style license-plate cameras, from the address we used to reach his campaign. We found no campaign website, so the link goes to his Ballotpedia profile; the statement itself is not published there. The text is reproduced as sent.
Before the quotation
Dispute Index asked Hamilton on September 30 and again on October 5 whether he supports, opposes or wants changes to the use of Flock-style license plate camera networks in Colorado, and which changes.
After the quotation
As of October 5, 2026, we did not find an earlier public statement from him on the cameras.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. Hamilton says he opposes Flock cameras and that government should not be building a searchable record of where innocent people travel, which rejects the systems outright, so we labeled it Condemned with the Ban or remove step. He names no law, contract or other mechanism.
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More from this case
Read the full caseMichael Addison would keep Flock cameras for criminal investigations under statewide safeguards, including judicial approval for prolonged tracking
“I would support these networks only when enforceable safeguards protect both.”Read statement
Rep. Suzan DelBene says license plate readers need clear, transparent rules and accountability for misuse
“We need regulations that ensure these tools are used in a clear, transparent way and that violations or misuse come with accountability.”Read statement
Andrea James calls Flock-style surveillance networks an unacceptable intrusion into privacy
“Flock-style surveillance networks represent an unacceptable intrusion into privacy”Read statement
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Stephen Hamilton says he opposes Flock cameras and that government "should not be building a searchable record of where innocent people travel"
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/4665-in-an-email-to-dispute-index-on-october
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Stephen Hamilton says he opposes Flock cameras and that government "should not be building a searchable record of where innocent people travel"". First published: 2026-10-05. Last updated: 2026-10-05. https://disputeindex.com/events/4665-in-an-email-to-dispute-index-on-october