Colorado man awarded $50,000 after being banned from public agency's social media

The Colorado State Patrol has settled a civil rights complaint filed on behalf of Jerod Zaczkowski, a 45-year-old Aurora man who criticized the agency on its Facebook page. The settlement, finalized on May 12, 2025, awards Zaczkowski $50,000 and directs CSP to align its social-media policies with the Colorado Department of Public Safety. Zaczkowski alleged that several comments were deleted and that he was banned from posting in January 2025 after criticizing CSP troopers in a post. A CSP Public Information Officer who monitors the page reportedly deleted the comments and implemented the ban, according to the complaint.

As part of the agreement, CSP will adjust its policies to match DPS guidance and train every member of its Public Affairs Section annually on that policy. The state patrol did not admit liability and avoided further litigation. Zaczkowski’s attorney, Andy McNulty, framed the outcome as accountability for censorship in a democratic society and said the settlement prevents repeat censorship of Coloradans. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of how government agencies manage comments on official social-media accounts, which plaintiffs describe as a digital town hall where public dialogue should occur.