Police Department Partially Encrypted

Fort Collins Police Department

Larimer, Colorado

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 ADP
Scope Some talkgroups encrypted (31% per RadioReference data); others remain in the clear.
Technical Details P25 ADP

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
21 Total Talkgroups
6 Encrypted
1 Mixed
14 Unencrypted
31% Encrypted
Radio System: Mobile Relay Associates LTR, Front Range Communications Consortium (FRCC), State of Colorado DTRS
View 7 talkgroups
DEC Alpha Tag Description Status
4029 FtCollins PD 1 Police 1 Dispatch Encrypted
4030 FtCollins PD 2 Police 2 Records Encrypted
4031 FtCollins PD 3 Police 3 Car/Car Encrypted
4032 FtCollins PD 4 Police 4 Car/Car Encrypted
4033 FtCollins PD 5 Police 5 Encrypted
4034 FtCollins PD 6 Police 6 Encrypted
2354 DOW Area 4 Wildlife - Fort Collins Area Mixed

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for Fort Collins Police Department from the RadioReference API, and used it to set the encryption scope shown above — but no additional human-reviewed source (a live feed check or a dated news account) has been recorded for this record, so treat it as a data-quality correction rather than an independently confirmed verification. Check the live RadioReference database directly for current status.

If you monitor Fort Collins Police Department directly or have more current information, the fastest way to fix this is to update the RadioReference Wiki entry — our data pulls from there and from the RadioReference API on a regular refresh cycle.

Shared Radio System

Worth knowing before reading this as specific to Fort Collins Police Department: Mobile Relay Associates LTR / Front Range Communications Consortium (FRCC) / State of Colorado DTRS is shared county-wide or regional infrastructure, also used by 0 other agencies in Larimer County — one radio system, several agency pages.

Larimer County Context

Larimer County is a mixed picture: 2 of 8 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (25%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.

What This Means

This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.

See encryption status nationwide Interactive map showing which US police departments have encrypted their radios. Open the encryption map →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fort Collins Police Department radio encrypted?

Fort Collins Police Department is listed in our records with P25 ADP encryption — a listing we haven't yet verified against live talkgroup data. This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.

Can I listen to Fort Collins Police Department on a police scanner?

Possibly. Our database lists Fort Collins Police Department as encrypting some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.

Why do agencies like Fort Collins Police Department encrypt their radio?

Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Larimer County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor police department activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.

Can Larimer County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.

What can I do about Fort Collins Police Department encryption?

Start local: show up when Larimer County officials discuss the budget for Fort Collins Police Department, and ask specifically why full encryption was chosen over a delayed feed or tactical-only approach. File a FOIA request for recordings or policy documents, and connect with others nearby who want the same information — a coordinated ask carries more weight than an individual one.

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