Is there a fee to request a bias audit?

Fees are not specified on the municipal-code landing pages cited in Resources; departments may charge standard records or review fees if authorized by ordinance.

How long will the city take to respond?

Response times depend on departmental procedures and are not consolidated in a single city code section; request the expected timeline in your submission.

Request a Bias Audit for Denver Automated Decisions

Technology and Data Colorado 3 Minutes Read · published February 07, 2026

In Denver, Colorado, residents and organizations can seek a bias audit of municipal automated decision systems that affect services, benefits, licensing, or enforcement. This guide explains who to contact, typical procedural steps, enforcement and appeal paths, and practical actions to submit a formal request. Because official implementing rules and penalty schedules vary by department, check the city contacts in Help and Support / Resources below for the controlling office and up-to-date forms.

Penalties & Enforcement

There is no single consolidated city ordinance titled "bias audit" published in a dedicated section of the Denver municipal code as of the cited resources; enforcement for harms from automated decisions typically falls to the department operating the system, the City Attorney, or administrative review processes. Specific fines and monetary penalties for use or misuse of automated decision systems are not specified on the municipal-code landing pages cited in Resources below and may be set by departmental rules, procurement contract terms, or civil enforcement actions.

Enforcement is usually tied to the department that adopted or procured the technology.

Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; penalties depend on the controlling ordinance, contract, or adjudication body.
Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence treatments are not consolidated in a single code section and are handled per department procedures or court remedies.
Non-monetary remedies: orders to stop use, suspend system operations, rescission of automated determinations, injunctive relief, and court actions may apply.
Enforcer: typically the department that owns the system, the Denver City Attorney for legal enforcement, or administrative hearing officers; see Resources for contact pages.
Inspection and complaint pathway: file a written complaint with the operating department or submit a public records or open complaints request where applicable.
Appeal/review: appeals are handled through departmental review, administrative hearings, or civil court; time limits for appeals are set in the applicable department rule or ordinance and are not specified on the cited municipal-code landing pages.

Applications & Forms

No single citywide "bias audit request" form is published on the municipal-code landing pages cited in Resources; some departments accept written requests or public records requests to begin an inquiry. Where departments have formal policies, they publish forms on their department pages.

Start with a written request to the department that issued the automated decision.

How to Request a Bias Audit

Follow clear steps to make a formal, documented request so the city can evaluate an automated decision or system. Include the decision, dates, affected individuals, and the specific harm or disparate impact you observed.

Identify the decision, date, and department that issued or enforced the automated outcome.
Gather evidence: notices, screenshots, correspondence, and any relevant public records responses.
Submit a written request to the operating department and to the City Attorney or relevant oversight office; request a bias audit or formal review and ask for the departmental procedure and timeline.
Preserve deadlines by tracking the department's response date and file an administrative appeal if applicable within the department's stated timeframe.
If unresolved, consider civil remedies or petition the appropriate administrative hearing body; consult counsel as needed.

Common Violations

Failure to provide meaningful notice that a decision was automated.
Lack of appeal or human review for automated adverse decisions.
Disparate impact or discriminatory outputs affecting protected classes.

FAQ

Who can request a bias audit?: Any Denver resident, business, or affected party can request a review from the department that issued the automated decision; advocacy groups may also submit requests on behalf of affected people.
Is there a fee to request a bias audit?: Fees are not specified on the municipal-code landing pages cited in Resources; departments may charge standard records or review fees if authorized by ordinance.
How long will the city take to respond?: Response times depend on departmental procedures and are not consolidated in a single city code section; request the expected timeline in your submission.

How-To

Document the automated decision and the harm.
Send a written request to the operating department and retain proof of delivery.
Follow up with the department contact and ask for the review procedure and timeline.
If denied, file an administrative appeal or seek legal counsel for civil options.

Key Takeaways

Start with a documented, written request to the operating department.
Gather evidence and preserve deadlines for appeals or review.