Police Department Partially Encrypted

Las Animas Police Department

Bent, Colorado

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope Some talkgroups encrypted (5.3% per RadioReference data); others remain in the clear.
Technical Details P25

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
19 Total Talkgroups
1 Encrypted
18 Unencrypted
5% Encrypted
Radio System: State of Colorado DTRS
View 1 talkgroup
DEC Alpha Tag Description Status
1033 Douglas SO1 Sheriff 1 Dispatch Encrypted

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for Las Animas 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 Las Animas 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

Las Animas Police Department isn't on a radio system of its own: State of Colorado DTRS also carries 0 other agencies in Bent County, Colorado. Whatever encryption status applies here was set once, for the whole system, not agency by agency.

Bent County Context

Of the 2 public-safety agencies we track in Bent County, Las Animas Police Department is currently the only one we have flagged as encrypted.

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 Las Animas Police Department radio encrypted?

Las Animas Police Department is listed in our records with P25 AES-256 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 Las Animas Police Department on a police scanner?

Possibly. Our database lists Las Animas 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 Las Animas Police Department encrypt their radio?

Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Bent County-specific evidence that open communications ever caused a problem, while the loss of public oversight and the friction with still-unencrypted neighboring agencies are both immediate and real.

Can Bent County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Whoever made this call for Las Animas Police Department can also unmake it; there's no technical lock-in. The approach that has worked elsewhere combines public-records requests, direct council pressure, and a coordinated local coalition.

What can I do about Las Animas Police Department encryption?

Start local: show up when Bent County officials discuss the budget for Las Animas 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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