Colorado ARES

R5D1 NVIS Exercise at Fremont County EOC.

OPERATION CROSSTALK is taking place this Sat. May 9th, 0800-1100.
The objective is simple: make as many NVIS contacts as possible during the three-hour window. Operators can work individually or as a group, from a fixed location, a portable setup, or from an EOC. Every contact counts — and the exercise is also a contest, so score matters.
ARES & non-ARES operators in Wyoming & Colorado are welcome to participate and submit a log.

Operation Crosstalk — Colorado/Wyoming ARES NVIS exercise, May 9 2026 – Colorado ARES Operation Crosstalk — Colorado/Wyoming ARES NVIS exercise, May 9 2026 by Michael Smith · Published April 13, 2026 · Updated April 23, 2026 Colorado + Wyoming ARES  |  May 9, 2026 OperationCrosstalk New for 2026, Operation Crosstalk is a three-hour long all NVIS exercise that encourages ARES me...

National Volunteer Month!
We are celebrating our Colorado Volunteers this month. To all of our emergency communications operators throughout the State, thank you for your service.

The Colorado ARES website has been updated. It now contains SEC bulletins as well as an easy form to become an new ARES member.
Check it out!

Colorado ARES – Colorado Section, Amateur Radio Emergency Services Welcome to the ARRL Colorado Section ARES The Colorado Section of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is part of the Field Organization of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association of amateur radio. The ARRL divides the nation into 71 administrative sections. The State....

ARES DEC is supporting the Turkey Day 5k this morning in Highlands Ranch. Looks a little chilly. 🥶

Colorado ARES SET documents are now available. Reach out to your emergency coordinator to get them sent to you. Posted by Amanda K1DDN 9-19.

It appears that SKYWARN 2025 classes have been cancelled in Colorado. Not all locations have updated their pages to reflect that yet. From K1DDN

Send a message to learn more

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COEmergency posted

Warming Center and Shelter Information as reported to the State EOC.
The webpage and map will be updated as new information is received for open or closed sites.
Local officials with new sites please tag us on social and post the information in WebEOC.

It's important to stay warm and safe, especially with the very cold temperatures. Here's a list of warming shelters across Colorado where you can find refuge from the cold. Additional locations will be added through the weekend as needed. Stay warm, stay safe, and look out for one another!
https://dhsem.colorado.gov/press-release/january-17-warming-centers-and-shelters-listed-by-county

More on Helene.

While the Red Cross no longer has their Safe And Well program, they can help contact family. See https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones/hurricane-helene-reunification.html .

Disasters like the current one in the East and South East United States are horrible. Unfortunately they are made worse by well meaning people who share bad information, by well meaning people who make unrequested material donations, and regrettably by scammers who try to capitalize on such disasters.

Please, be careful of information that you share. I know people want to help, but raw, unvetted information is frequently wrong. Advice is often bad or incorrect. It is better to make sure you are using official sources, not spreading rumors.

Donations of goods are often referred to by emergency managers as "The Second Disaster". Only donate goods if those specific goods are requested by a recognized emergency relief agency or official emergency management agency. Too often people donate things that are not needed, donate too much of certain things, perishable items, or items that have to be stored indoors. This creates a logjam of material that can't be used, is hard to distribute, goes bad, or gets ruined. Usually monetary donations are best.
Be on high alert for scammers.

Be extremely wary of anyone asking for money. Make sure you check out anyone before you donate money. It is best to stick with known organizations and be on the lookout for imposters.

Hurricane Helene Reunification If you need assistance locating or connecting with a loved one in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia or Florida because of Hurricane Helene, the Red Cross may be able to help.

As shared by COEmergency

Make sure that you are coordinating with our State VOADs before you deploy or donate! https://www.nvoad.org/hurricane-helene-response/