Parachute Police Department
Garfield, Colorado
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists Garfield County Law Enforcement 1 — the dispatch channel identified as serving the Sheriff, Parachute and Rifle — as encrypted on the State of Colorado DTRS.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Garfield County Context
Parachute Police Department isn't an outlier here: 6 of the 7 public-safety agencies we track in Garfield County are fully encrypted (86%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Garfield County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Every channel this agency runs, including day-to-day dispatch, is encrypted. That shuts out the public and local reporters, and it can complicate coordination with nearby agencies that still expect to hear it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parachute Police Department radio encrypted?
Yes. Parachute Police Department uses P25 ADP encryption. Every channel this agency runs, including day-to-day dispatch, is encrypted. That shuts out the public and local reporters, and it can complicate coordination with nearby agencies that still expect to hear it.
Can I listen to Parachute Police Department on a police scanner?
No. Parachute Police Department has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 ADP. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Parachute Police Department encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Garfield County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — no real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can Garfield County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes — nothing about the underlying radio technology forces this. It's a decision Garfield County officials made and can revisit, and other communities have pushed departments back toward open channels through sustained council pressure and coalition-building.
What can I do about Parachute Police Department encryption?
File a FOIA request for Parachute Police Department's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Garfield County who want the same access — state legislation requiring public radio access is the longer-term fix, but organized local pressure is what usually moves the needle first.