This lawsuit, ACLU v. City and County of Denver, 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.
ACLU news release:
- "ACLU sues Denver seeking disclosure of document describing police department's relationship with FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force," ACLU News Release, October 15, 2003
- Get more information about the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).
ACLU case number
2003-08