First responders in Colorado know the challenges of keeping growing communities safe in the urban, rural, and mountainous regions that make up the state. With FirstNet, public safety professionals in Colorado can access a secure, reliable connection – whether communicating across the borders of Colorado’s six neighboring states, conducting search and rescue missions for lost hikers or skiers, or managing large crowds during outdoor festivals.
The First Responder Network Authority team recognizes the unique communications challenges that Colorado first responders face. We have been working closely with Colorado public safety officials since 2014, capturing their feedback and translating it into the design of the FirstNet network. During the development of state deployment plans, our team worked hand-in-hand with Colorado leaders to ensure the plan was customized to address their needs.
Following this close collaboration, Colorado chose to adopt the plan and “opt in” to FirstNet. Today, we continue to meet regularly with state and local officials to discuss their public safety broadband needs. In 2019 alone, our team met with Colorado public safety officials more than 30 times. Our engagements in Colorado included the Colorado 911 Advisory Task Force Meeting, a broadband workshop with the Boulder Police Department, and meetings with the Colorado Public Safety Communications Sub-committee. Engagements like these are crucial to the ongoing success of the network and the advancement of public safety communications across the state and the nation.
Connect with our team of Public Safety Advisors to learn about FirstNet in your community.
Colorado's FirstNet Authority Public Safety Advisor
FirstNet in Action in Colorado
- Each year on Memorial Day, runners and spectators gather in Boulder, Colorado, for the BOLDERBoulder, one of the largest 10-kilometer races in the world. With more than 100,000 people in attendance, communication can be a challenge for local public safety. During the 2022 race, FirstNet helped connect responders on the race course and at the emergency operations center.
- The NCAR Fire, named for its proximity to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Facility, broke out near Boulder, Colorado in March 2022. The fire prompted the evacuation of 19,000 people and burned 190 acres. Public safety relied on FirstNet deployables, including a Compact Rapid Deployable, to connect their devices and communicate efficiently while managing the evacuations and battling the blaze.
- As the Marshall Fire burned through Boulder County, it quickly became the most destructive fire in Colorado state history. The fire damaged critical infrastructure and commercial networks were congested, but responders were able to communicate with FirstNet deployable assets on site, including a compact rapid deployable that was able to traverse steep terrain and establish coverage quickly.
- The Cameron Peak Fire was the largest wildland fire in Colorado’s history. Don Patterson, a firefighter and communications expert, deployed to the fire knowing that broadband communications would play a huge role, particularly with the threat of COVID-19. Deployables and other advanced technologies helped everyone communicate — from incident command at the base camp to frontline firefighters.
