RE: Support for Ordinance Requiring Visible Identification by Federal Law Enforcement Operating in Denver

Dear Mayor Johnston and Members of Denver City Council,

Better Together Denver writes in strong support of the proposed ordinance establishing clear transparency and identification standards for how government authority is exercised in public spaces, particularly when federal law enforcement operates in Denver. 

At its core, this is about upholding justice and the transparent rule of law. When government authority is exercised over the people in public, it must be visible, identifiable, and accountable. These standards protect community safety, preserve civil liberties, and strengthen public trust – making law enforcement interactions safer for everyone involved.

Across the country, enforcement practices involving masked or unidentified agents have escalated fear, increased the risk of misunderstanding and harm, ultimately undermining confidence among both immigrant communities and the general public. That erosion of trust makes public safety harder to achieve.

This policy is a statement about how authority should be exercised in a free society: with transparency, clear identification, and basic accountability. While there may be legitimate safety needs for protective equipment in specific circumstances, anonymity should not be the default posture for exercising federal authority in Denver, or anywhere.

We urge the City Council to adopt this ordinance and respectfully call on the Mayor to uphold its intent, so that public authority exercised in Denver aligns with constitutional values, transparency, and community safety.

At a moment when trust is fragile, and fear is high, Denver can lead with clarity, balance, and accountability. This is an important step toward a safer and more unified city and nation. 

Respectfully,

Better Together Denver (BTD)

Signed by:

  Uriel B. Espinoza, Board Member, BTD

Rico Gomez, Board Member, BTD

Rachel Marion, Board President, BTD

Nigel Daniels, Board Vice President, BTD

Kwon Atlas, Board Treasurer, BTD

Kara Powell, Board Secretary, BTD

Teddy Weiss, Board Member, BTD
Lizzy Lee, Board Member, BTD

Rachel Romer, Board Member, BTD

Matthew Stratton, Board Member, BTD

Meghan McNamara, Board Member, BTD

Sam Scanlon, Board Member, BTD

Conor Hall, Board Member, BTD