The latest news, information and highlights from CDPS.
The Public Safety Post

Dear CDPS members,

This summer, we celebrate a major milestone for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. On July 1, 1967, CBI began operations with two staff members working out of a small office in the shadow of the Colorado State Capitol. Fifty years later, CBI has grown to more than 270 employees who deliver exceptional quality services to support partner agencies throughout Colorado and to help keep the people of Colorado safe.


With the limited space I have here, I can’t do CBI justice describing the wide range of services they deliver -- so instead, I invite you to learn more about CBI by checking out this overview poster, browsing the CBI website, and joining us as we celebrate their achievement of 5 decades of service, integrity and teamwork. On Tuesday, Aug. 1, we will gather on the West steps of the State Capitol at 10 a.m. for a 50th Anniversary ceremony. All CDPS members are welcome to attend (plan to carpool or take transit).


On a less auspicious note, July marks the one-year anniversary of this CDPS-wide newsletter. We launched the Public Safety Post with the goals of providing information about the direction of the Department, fostering cross-divisional understanding and awareness, delivering helpful information to employees, and celebrating the achievements of our members. We hope you are enjoying this resource and find it useful and informative. We welcome your ongoing story ideas, content suggestions and feedback.


Sincerely,

Director Stan Hilkey
Policy Update
CDPS has provided Swift911 as a statewide emergency alert system for Colorado state employees, including those within our own Department. Director Hilkey recently approved an accompanying Swift911 Policy regarding its usage.


Calendar


Finance Update
On July 1, a new CDPS IT Procurement process went into effect for all CDPS employees.
What has changed: IT transactions under $5,000 will now be allowed to be made with a purchase card.
What hasn't changed: 
All  IT purchases must still go through the approval process and CORE, and will still be required to meet delivery location requirements. For some transactions under $5,000, it may be in the State's best interest to still issue a purchase order, such as to capture terms and conditions. In addition, all purchase card rules and processes continue to apply, such as maintaining appropriate documentation to support purchase transactions.
 
Local children send messages of thanks to Peak2 Fire responders
Busy Month for Emergency Responders

CDPS staff were busy supporting local and federal responses to seven separate wildfires burning across the state in July. The fires included:
  • Peak 2 Fire, near Breckenridge 
  • Mill Creek Fire, in Routt County 
  • Gutzler Fire, in Eagle County 
  • Peekaboo Fire, in Moffat County 
  • Deer Gulch Fire, in Rio Blanco County 
  • Wilson Fire, in Rio Blanco County 
  • East Rim Fire, in Dolores County

DFPC, DHSEM and CSP provided on-site and remote support for incidents, including staff and physical resources. Meanwhile, these agencies continued to deliver ongoing preparedness operations, trainings, and long-term recovery services.
Deadline to Submit Director's Awards Nominations is 5 p.m. July 31
The inaugural Director's Awards will be presented on Sept. 6, 2017. This new, Department-wide recognition program aims to celebrate the teams and individuals who embody the shared vision and values that unite all of our divisions, programs, and people.  

The deadline to submit nominations is 5 p.m., Monday, July 31. Use the following links to submit nominations for each category:
Nearly 400 Attend Annual Sex Offender Management Training 
Nearly 400 people attended the annual Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) conference, held July 12-14 in Breckenridge. The conference is organized and hosted by Division of Criminal Justice staff and features an impressive roster of experts addressing a wide breadth of topics related to supervising, managing and treating sex offenders. This year's conference featured Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman as a keynote speaker and special guest Michael D. Lynch, director & producer of the award-winning documentary " Victor Walk."

DHSEM Presents Awards for Staff Achievements
The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) recognized staff achievements in June at an annual award ceremony.

Congratulations to the DHSEM 2017 award winners:
  • Division Director Award: Kristina Bomba
  • Go To Award: Hart Gillespie and Mark Pettit 
  • Positivity Award: Jennifer Hillmann and Laurie Lindow 
  • Work Smarter Award: Eric Dymond and Michael Haney 
  • Mission Accomplished Team Award: Training and Exercise Team and Subrecipient Monitoring Team
State Patrol Raises More Than $17,600 Through Tip-a-Cop Events
From south to north and from east to west, Colorado State Patrol members covered the state on July 9 to raise money for a good cause. CSP representatives participated in "Tip a Cop" events to raise donations for the Special Olympics at at least eight of the 34 Chili's restaurants. Law Enforcement ask diners for a "tip" to donate to the Special Olympics. CDPS members' efforts helped raise more than $17,600 of the $63,700 total raised that day.

The next partnership effort will be the Plane Pull (see below).
Insert Superhero Here: YOU! CDPS Calls for Plane-Pull Participants
Pulling a 164,000-pound plane?! Who does that? Instantly, a picture of Superman or Wonder Woman comes to mind. Have you ever secretly thought that you, too, are a superhero, and could demonstrate your powers if only given the chance? 

On Saturday, August 12, Denver International Airport, Signature Flight Support, and Special Olympics Colorado will provide a chance to showcase your powers for good. Special Olympics Colorado’s Plane Pull presented by SUBWAY Restaurants is a giant tug-of-war between your team and a 164,000 lb. airplane. Teams challenge each other to pull a jumbo jet 12 feet across the tarmac in the least amount of time. Each team is asked to raise a minimum of $1,250 to participate. 

Find out More or Register to Join the CDPS Team today!

...And a Less Physically Demanding Way to Get Involved: Ralston House .5k
Yes, that decimal is in the correct place! Run, walk or stroll three blocks for a good cause. CDPS is joining Team McCasky for the .5K Endurance Challenge on August 26 in Lakewood to support Ralston House, a nonprofit that provides a safe place to investigate child abuse and ensure victim services for children who have been physically or sexually abused or witnessed violence.

CDPS employees must register as a group through Rhonda Johnson, 303-239-5761, or Susan Medina, 303-239-4423. The cost is $12 per person (CDPS group rate) and the registration deadline is August 10 to guarantee t-shirt size.  

Meet DFPC's A-team of Aerial Firefighting Research
In Rifle, Colorado, a group of eight brilliant people bring together their experience in firefighting, technology, aviation, military, research, policy and leadership to work towards a critical goal: making the way we fight wildfires more efficient, effective and safe for first responders. The Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting is a unit of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Click the video below to learn about how this A-team is using cutting edge technology and research to make Colorado safer.

DHSEM Surpasses Swift911 Goal with 94% Implementation Rate
In FY2015, DHSEM was tasked by the legislature to lead the implementation of a state employee emergency notification system for all executive branch agencies, including the governor's office and the general assembly.

DHSEM acquired and began implementing the Swift911 system for this purpose (see CDPS policy above). Their goal was to achieve 75% implementation by June 30, 2017. The team knocked it out of the park, surpassing that goal and achieving implementation among all but one of the target agencies by June 30 -- a 94% implementation rate. Bravo to program managers Lindsey Shaw and Fran Santagata!
Do you have ideas for good-news stories, events, "People on the Move", or other content to share with all CDPS employees? Submit your story ideas, details and photos by the 10th of the month to your Division PIO or to Patricia.Billinger@state.co.us.