Larimer County, Colorado: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Larimer County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Larimer County
- Fire dispatch — most fire departments stay on open radio even when police go encrypted
- EMS / ambulance dispatch — emergency medical services often remain unencrypted for interoperability
- NOAA Weather Radio — direct NWS broadcasts on 162.400–162.550 MHz
- Public works & utilities — city maintenance, road crews, and utilities typically unencrypted
Recommended Scanners for Larimer County
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Agencies in Larimer County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Colorado agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Estes Park Police Department | police | P25 ADP |
| Fort Collins Police Department | police | P25 ADP |
| Larimer County Sheriff's Office | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Loveland Fire Department | fire | P25 ADP |
| Loveland Police Department | police | P25 ADP |
| Poudre Fire Authority | fire | P25 ADP |
| Timnath Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Larimer County, Colorado?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Larimer County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels. Check the local fire and EMS frequencies which often remain unencrypted even when police go encrypted.
Is police radio encrypted in Larimer County?
Yes — 2 out of 8 agencies in Larimer County use full encryption. An additional 6 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Larimer County?
For Larimer County, we recommend a scanner that covers VHF and UHF frequencies for fire, EMS, and weather — the Uniden BC125AT is the best value. For broader exploration, the RTL-SDR V4 with free SDRTrunk software can scan the full spectrum.