“Palantir May Be Gone, but Big Brother Is Still Watching Us”

Last week, Denver said goodbye and good riddance to Palantir Technologies. After moving to downtown from Silicon Valley in 2020, and then leaving its offices in the Tabor Center for swanky digs in Cherry Creek last fall, the surveillance behemoth just picked up and moved to Miami, according to a terse message that Palantir posted on X on February 17.

While the company didn’t have much to say about its departure, many others did. Palantir has been the focus of frequent protests over its work with oppressive federal regimes, and activists cheered the move. Colorado officials pointed to tech company complaints about the state’s rigid AI laws, while The Lever noted that Florida had just weakened non-compete laws, at a time when Palantir is embroiled in several messy cases.

And then there’s the fact that the Trump administration, which has given Palantir some whopping contracts, simply doesn’t like Colorado. In their comments on the Westword Facebook post of the news, readers offered their own thoughts on Palantir’s departure…and what it really means for Colorado. Says Timothy:

I don’t think anyone who’s been paying attention can possibly be against this. This is cause for celebration all around.

Adds Dane:

Florida, where billionaires go to avoid taxes and the Age of Consent.

Suggests Roger:

Translation: Big Brother’s surveillance system just moved to a location where they expect no oversight.

Responds Joe:

Palantir maybe be gone, but Big Brother is still watching us. Surveillance continues and hose databases are forever.

Doug wonders

Wait, why are we celebrating a successful business leaving?

Adds Scott:

High tech firm that worked with the federal government — you’d think that would be a plus but nope, people had to complain because it didn’t mesh with their agenda. Florida probably gave them a better tax deal. I don’t blame them.

Notes Shannon:

This company still exists, still has your data, and we lost the tax revenue. A hollow “victory.”

Comments Brett:

 In part, they will never leave, due to the fact they are tapped into all cameras and databases as well. The ever-expanding police state of surveillance!

Offers Vicki:

Colorado data analyst here. I would sooner clean toilets with my tongue then work for Palantir and, yes, they emailed me at one point asking if I was interested in talking to them. They represent everything that can be misused in data analysis and data acquisition.

Notes Leasa:

According to reports released in February 2026, Palantir Technologies paid zero federal income tax for fiscal year 2025, despite reporting $1.5 billion in U.S. income. The company utilized over $400 million in tax breaks, largely stemming from research and development (R&D) cost deductions reinforced by the 2025 “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This marks the third straight year Palantir has been profitable while avoiding federal income tax. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) noted that these tax strategies, combined with explosive growth, allowed the company to avoid federal income tax on its earnings.

Concludes Kathleen:

Yay! I’m hoping Florida breaks off from the rest of the United States and takes a lot of certain people with it. Including the CEO of Palantir.

What do you think about Palantir leaving Denver? Is Big Brother still watching? Post a comment or share your thoughts at editorial@westword.com.