About four dozen people gathered Thursday in Durango to launch a petition drive seeking to ban masked law-enforcement officers – especially U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents – from operating within city limits.
“What are secret police? To me, it’s pretty clear what secret police are,” said Ted Wright, a local attorney who drafted the proposed ordinance and initiated the effort.
“They show up in groups, they have masks, they have no accountability, no ID,” he said. “They carry guns. They have unlimited finances, and they’re simply not accountable. That makes me feel unsafe.”
Organizers hope a resident-led ordinance will pressure Durango City Council to take a stronger stance against ICE activity in Durango.
Wright and his co-organizers drew roughly 50 people to a Durango Community Recreation Center meeting room Thursday evening to explain the proposal and outline next steps.
The proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 17, Article 2 of the Durango Code of Ordinances to prohibit law enforcement officers from concealing their identities with masks or disguises. It would also require officers operating within city limits to display visible identification and agency affiliation.
Under the city charter, residents can propose ordinances by initiative if they gather signatures from at least 15% of voters from the last municipal election – roughly 1,500 signatures. If City Council does not adopt the ordinance as written, it would go before voters in a special election.
“It’s a citizen initiative to basically say that we don’t want secret police,” Wright told attendees.
The use of masks by ICE agents during arrests and enforcement operations has drawn national criticism. Opponents say the practice resembles “secret police” tactics and allows agents to operate without accountability, often in ways that impede on people’s constitutional rights.
Federal officials have said masks are necessary to protect ICE officers and prevent doxing or harassment.
Efforts to ban masked law enforcement have met mixed results nationwide. The Utah Legislature recently rejected a bill that would have prohibited officers from wearing masks statewide, with limited exceptions.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a similar law in September; it took effect this year and is now being challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice, which argues it interferes with federal authority.
During Thursday’s meeting, some residents raised concerns that Durango might also face federal lawsuits if the ordinance is adopted. Others questioned whether the measure would be enforceable.
“I’ll tell you right now, they don’t care,” said one attendee who participated in protests outside the Bodo Park ICE facility several months ago. “They shot girls in the crotch with rubber bullets.”
For many in the room, enforcement was secondary to the statement the ordinance would make.
“Is it enforceable? Well, if there’s no law, then it’s certainly not enforceable,” Wright said.
He added that the underlying principle – that people have a right to know which authority is arresting them or restricting their constitutional rights – should apply to all law enforcement agencies, regardless of which administration is in power.
“There’s no perfect way to respond to what’s happening,” said Maddie Meigs, another attendee. “But anything that brings people together and shows that we care about our neighbors, our friends and our community – that’s doing something.”
Those interested in supporting the effort committed to circulating the petition. Organizers have 30 days to collect the required signatures.
Wright said he had reached out to Durango Police Department and the La Plata County Sheriffs’ Office for input, and was still waiting to hear back.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
