Denver Police Scanner: Metro Area Encryption Status
The Mile High City has gone dark. Denver Police Department fully encrypted in 2019, and virtually every major agency in the metro area has followed suit. This guide covers what's encrypted, what (little) remains accessible, and why Colorado's landmark media access law hasn't solved the problem.
The Reality for Scanner Enthusiasts
If you're hoping to monitor police activity in the Denver metro area, you need to understand this: traditional scanner monitoring is effectively dead in Denver. The city, its suburbs, and surrounding counties have created one of the most encrypted metropolitan areas in the United States.
Colorado passed HB21-1250 in 2021—the first state law requiring media access to encrypted systems—but implementation has been poor. As of 2025, no news organization has a working access agreement with Denver PD.
Denver Metro Agency Status
Below is the encryption status of major law enforcement agencies in the Denver metropolitan area. The metro spans multiple counties including Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, and Douglas.
| Agency | Status | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Police Department | Encrypted | 715K | Fully encrypted since 2019; Mile High City went dark |
| Denver Fire Department | Encrypted | 715K | Fire and rescue fully encrypted |
| Denver County Sheriff | Encrypted | 715K | Jail and court security encrypted |
| Aurora Police Department | Encrypted | 390K | Third largest CO city; fully encrypted |
| Lakewood Police Department | Encrypted | 155K | Jefferson County suburb; encrypted |
| Westminster Police Department | Encrypted | 115K | Adams County suburb; encrypted |
| Arvada Police Department | Encrypted | 125K | Jefferson/Adams counties; encrypted |
| Thornton Police Department | Encrypted | 145K | Adams County; encrypted |
| Arapahoe County Sheriff | Encrypted | 660K | Southeast metro; fully encrypted |
| Jefferson County Sheriff | Partial | 580K | Western metro; partial encryption |
| Adams County Sheriff | Encrypted | 520K | Northern metro; fully encrypted |
| Douglas County Sheriff | Partial | 370K | Southern metro; partial encryption |
| Colorado State Patrol | Encrypted | Statewide | Highway patrol fully encrypted |
| RTD Transit Police | Encrypted | Metro | Regional transit authority encrypted |
Regional Breakdown
City & County of Denver
Denver proper—including Denver PD, Fire, and Sheriff—went fully encrypted in 2019. This includes all dispatch, tactical, and special operations channels. No public access remains.
Aurora & Eastern Suburbs
Aurora (Colorado's third largest city), along with Arapahoe County Sheriff, are fully encrypted. The eastern metro corridor offers no scanner access.
Western Suburbs (Jeffco)
Jefferson County Sheriff maintains partial encryption—some channels accessible. Lakewood and Arvada city police are fully encrypted. Best remaining option in the metro.
Northern Suburbs
Westminster, Thornton, and Adams County Sheriff are fully encrypted. The northern corridor along I-25 offers no public scanner access.
Colorado's Media Access Law: The Gap Between Law and Reality
In 2021, Colorado passed HB21-1250—the first statewide law requiring police departments with encrypted systems to create media access policies. It was a landmark victory for transparency advocates.
The problem: Implementation has been inconsistent at best. Most Denver-area agencies have created policies on paper, but no news organizations currently have working access agreements. The law lacks enforcement mechanisms, and agencies have little incentive to cooperate.
Take Action for Transparency
Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.
Contact Your Representatives
Use our templates to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.
Get StartedRead Case Studies
See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.
View CasesSpread Awareness
Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.
Public Testimony
Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.
Prepare to SpeakOptions for Denver Area Residents
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Denver police scanners encrypted?
Yes. Denver Police Department fully encrypted all radio communications in 2019 using P25 AES encryption. No consumer scanner can decode Denver PD transmissions.
Can I listen to Denver police with a scanner?
No. Denver PD uses AES-256 encryption that cannot be decoded by any consumer device. The entire Denver metro area, including Aurora, Lakewood, and Westminster, is encrypted.
What Denver area agencies can still be monitored?
Very few. Jefferson County and Douglas County sheriffs maintain partial encryption with some channels accessible. Fire dispatch in some smaller communities may still be open. Use RadioReference to verify current status.
Does Colorado law require scanner access?
Colorado HB21-1250 requires agencies with encrypted systems to create media access policies. However, implementation has been inconsistent, and no news organizations currently have working access agreements with Denver-area departments.
Take Action for Transparency
Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.
Contact Your Representatives
Use our templates to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.
Get StartedRead Case Studies
See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.
View CasesSpread Awareness
Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.
Public Testimony
Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.
Prepare to Speak