Supporting Safety at Colorado National Monument with Onboard Computers

For decades, Colorado National Monument has been a cherished place of natural beauty, offering breathtaking vistas and peaceful solitude for visitors from all over. But for some, the monument has also been a place sought during moments of crisis. Our mission at Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) is to support the monument and the safety of all who visit, and today, we’re sharing an important need within the monument’s Law Enforcement Division to improve their ability to help those in crisis.

Currently, Colorado National Monument rangers rely on two-way radios as their primary communication tool, a system that has been in place since the late 1920s. While effective, two-way radios have limitations: only one transmission is allowed at a time, and with the multiple agencies and officers working throughout the Grand Valley, there is often a delay in receiving essential information. Critical details can be missed, making it more difficult for rangers to intervene quickly.

Why Onboard Computers Make a Difference

Modern law enforcement agencies have embraced onboard computers as a way to improve officer safety and public service. By equipping patrol cars with mobile data terminals (or onboard computers), officers can view information in real-time, receiving updates from dispatch without relying solely on radio communication. This not only keeps radio channels clear for emergencies but also gives officers access to the complete picture—a critical advantage in high-stakes situations.

In the Grand Valley, departments such as Grand Junction PD and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office already use onboard computers to respond to mental health and public safety needs. With onboard computers, rangers can have real-time data on individuals with known risks, including those with welfare check alerts or individuals known to be armed. For Colorado National Monument, this is particularly important. Many of their rangers encounter individuals in crisis and routinely conduct welfare checks. In situations where every second matters, access to comprehensive information can make the difference between life and death.

Meeting a Growing Need at Colorado National Monument

NPS Superintendent, Nathan Souder, has taken significant strides to address mental health and resiliency within the monument, including pioneering a Resiliency Ranger with resources aimed at helping visitors practice healthy coping skills. In 2023 alone, the monument hosted multiple mental health interns focused on projects that support the local community’s mental health, as well as a Resiliency Ranger Intern with a focus on assisting veterans. However, these proactive measures also need the support of well-equipped law enforcement officers who can respond swiftly to crisis situations.

Every month, monument rangers work with local partners, such as D-51 Suicide Prevention, to locate individuals in need of immediate help. Frequently, rangers receive calls that someone en route to the monument may be at risk, and time is critical. With onboard computers, rangers will gain real-time access to detailed dispatch information that could allow them to find and assist individuals sooner.

Without onboard computers, critical data only reaches rangers via the radio, and sometimes not at all, depending on other emergencies. Having onboard computers would prevent these gaps in information and allow rangers to be fully informed when patrolling or responding to a crisis. “If having full access to the dispatch information helps save even one life,” Perrin Pring, Chief Ranger Visitor Resource and Protection, said, “countless others will be spared the pain of always wondering if anything else could have been done. One of the downsides of working in law enforcement is that very rarely do you truly know if your actions actually stopped something or changed something for the better. Except when it comes to interceding in something like suicide. In the case of suicide, interceding is a clear way to truly make a difference. And now, with the advent of modern technology, we have a chance to keep making that difference.”

How You Can Help

We’re asking our community to help us raise the necessary funds for onboard computers and equipment for the monument’s patrol cars. We need five sets of the following items:

• iPads (10.9″): $500 each – Purchase at Best Buy. As of 11/11 this need has been met. Thank you to our generous in-kind donors!
• Cases: $90 each – Purchase at OtterBox.  As of 11/11 this need has been met. Thank you to our generous in-kind donors!
• Screen Protectors: $8 each – Purchase at Amazon. 
• Car Mounts: $372 each – Purchase at RAM Mounts.

Each piece of this equipment serves a crucial role in bringing onboard computers to the monument, totaling an estimated $4,850.

Please email me at sbattles@coloradonma.org if you’d like to make an in-kind donation* of equipment. We’re eager to keep our supporters updated on the progress of this project and the impact of your generosity.

*View our in-kind donation FAQs here.

Together, we can equip Colorado National Monument with the resources to respond more effectively and protect those in need. Your support not only sustains the natural beauty of this landscape but also ensures the well-being of all who visit.

Thank you for helping us create a safer monument and a stronger, more compassionate community.