The Boulder Police Department is proud to announce a first-of-its-kind initiative in Colorado that aims to build stronger, more informed relationships with members of our Autism community.
The new Autism Decal Program, officially titled the Boulder Police Department Autism Decal Program, was created to help officers identify and better understand when they may be interacting with an individual on the autism spectrum. When a decal is visible on a home or vehicle, it serves as a discreet signal to officers that someone who is autistic may be present or associated with that location or car. This insight allows officers to approach situations with increased sensitivity and awareness, promoting a safer and more secure environment for everyone involved.
“I first heard about this idea in another part of the country, and I immediately thought it would be a great program to implement here in Boulder,” Interim Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. “Unfortunately, we see too many situations in the United States where officers are called to scenes without having a lot of details about the individuals involved and they end up having a confrontation with someone who might be neurodivergent. This is one of the ways we can help keep both community members and officers safe.”
This effort was brought to life through the leadership of BPD Chief of Staff Alastair McNiven. He worked closely with local organizations and advocates, including the Autism Society of Boulder County and the Autism Society of Colorado, to ensure the program is inclusive and reflective of the autism community’s values. One important aspect of the program was designing decals that respectfully represent the community. Stakeholders weighed in on whether the puzzle piece or infinity symbol should be used. In the end, both options were made available to honor the diversity of perspectives within the autism community. Each decal is accompanied by an explanatory flyer to ensure clarity for both families and officers.
“This has been a very delicate conversation to have because not everyone agrees on the best image—puzzle piece vs. infinity symbol for example—our decision to offer both symbols reflects our commitment to honor these different voices, and to start this positive program here in the city,” Chief of Staff McNiven said.
The decals will be distributed at the Boulder Police Department Records Division, located at 1805 33rd Street. The office is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families, caregivers, or individuals who are interested in participating in the program can stop by during those hours to pick up a decal and receive additional information.
The department is grateful for the support and involvement of the city’s Independent Police Monitor, Sherry Daun, who helped facilitate important conversations with the Center for People with Disabilities (CPWD). Craig Towler, CPWD Community Organizer, emphasized the value of community involvement in shaping the program’s future.
“We encourage community members to provide feedback on this Autism Decal program so it can live up to its goal of keeping all community members safe.”
In a joint statement, the Autism Society of Colorado and the Autism Society of Boulder County expressed strong support for the program, describing it as an important step forward in bridging gaps between law enforcement and the autism community.
“Autism Society of Colorado (ASC) and Autism Society of Boulder County (ASBC) would like to commend the Boulder Police Department for taking proactive steps to build more inclusive communities. Approximately 1 in 5 young adults with Autism will interact with a police officer before the age of 21. Too many of these events result in restraint, arrest, improper use of force, physical and emotional trauma, and tragic death. These devastating outcomes occur when police misinterpret benign Autistic behaviors as suspicious, evasive, or dangerous. This is largely because police are trained to respond to a crisis with a protocol that does not consider neurodivergence,” the organizations said in a joint statement.
“The decal program offers the opportunity for responding officers to be aware and use appropriate training to respond to neurodivergent people in a way that is more responsive to their neurological needs. While we support choice, both ASC and ASBC know and recognize the infinity symbol as the most appropriate representation for the Autism community. We look forward to hearing the positive impact this decal program has for the way the Autism community and Boulder PD interact.”
This initiative represents more than just a sticker—it’s a meaningful step toward building trust, understanding, and safety in our community. Through ongoing collaboration with advocates, community members, and law enforcement, the Boulder Police Department hopes this program will serve as a model for others across the country.
As this collaborative effort continues to grow, the department is eager to receive input from residents and stakeholders. Your voice matters in shaping the future of this program. Feedback can be provided to Chief of Staff McNiven via email at [email protected] or by phone at (303) 441-1777.
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