24-6-502 CRS

[KD0DUJ]

A law enforcement agency that encrypts all of its radio communications shall create a communications access policy, through collaboration with Colorado-based media outlets, that includes an agreement governing access for the media to primary dispatch channels or talk groups through commercially available radio receivers, scanners, or any other feasible technology. The policy may include, but is not limited to, verification of media credentials; reasonable restrictions on the use of the commercially available radio receivers, scanners, or other feasible technology; and financial or other costs related to the sale, lease, or loan of the commercially available radio receivers, scanners, or any other feasible technology.

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Source: Section 24-6-502 — Public broadcast of governmental radio communications - encryption policy, https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-24.pdf (accessed May 26, 2025).
24–6–101
Short title24–6–102
Effective date24–6–201
Declaration of policy24–6–202
Disclosure - contents - filing - false or incomplete filing - penalty24–6–203
Reporting by incumbents and elected candidates - gifts, honoraria, and other benefits - prohibition on monetary gifts - penalty - definitions24–6–301
Definitions - legislative declaration24–6–302
Disclosure statements - required - definition24–6–303
Registration as professional lobbyist - filing of disclosure statements - certificate of registration - legislative declaration24–6–303.5
Lobbying by state officials and employees24–6–304
Records - preservation - public inspection - electronic access24–6–304.5
Examination of books and records24–6–305
Powers of the secretary of state - granting and revoking of certificates - barring from registration - imposition of penalties - notification of substantial violation24–6–306
Employment of legislators, legislative employees, or state employees - filing of statement24–6–307
Employment of unregistered persons24–6–308
Prohibited practices

 

[scanlist]

Only for the media. Means absolutely nothing for the public.

When Denver flipped the switch the media approached the city and Denver's "contract" requirements for media compliance were such that the media outlet lawyers flat out rejected the terms the city dictated. The city could raid a media outlet for all material related to a report/story gained by access to their communications. If the city did not like a report they could inflict pain. This, IMHO, was the catalyst that green lit other area agencies jumping on the secret squirrel train. This "law" states agencies have an access policy not how that policy should be enacted/enforced.

Anyone wishing this "law" will re-open dispatch to the masses is dreaming. It does not. And so far it hasn't. Agencies fought this law when they were bills twice and ended up watered down in it's current form.

It is a half-fast attempt to look like the state made an effort for communications transparency. The only time the media reports on situations is when they receive press releases, tweets from the agency, monitoring fire communications (except Denver and Pueblo) or citizens reporting them.

Boulder and Aurora dispatch (consoles) only are the exception for being open. Colorado State Patrol and Weld county agencies so far have remained open. Brighton and Federal Heights are questionable with the recent trend of agencies in Adams county flipping the switch.

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[KD0DUJ]

I have testified in front of the state congressional committees on trying to get an encryption banned on dispatch channels so apparently.You need to read the law on it.Because what it does is it keeps law enforcement and other public safety agencies from hiding from transparency

 

[ScannerSK]

Scanner enthusiasts should all become members of an independent media outlet!

 

[scanlist]

Respectfully it does nothing. Transparency? Ask CBS/KCNC what happened when they discovered issues with DFD. DFD turned off their open communications transparency in a hurry. Shortly after flipping the switch some nonsense involving Fort Collins and Loveland occurred.

Also explain Denver and their approach to the media. Lawyers for the media flat out rejected the draconian demands of the city. Why is that?

No matter how much one wishes for open dispatch in this situation it is not happening. The door has been slammed shut. The way it was is not coming back. Monitoring L.E. in the metro area is over.

For ScannerSK: We are fortunate Weld has not gone down this road so far.

Good luck convincing an agency of being an independent journalist. They will point and laugh at you.

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