Frequently Asked Questions

Doesn't the government pay for 9-1-1?

Surcharges on telephone bills are used to meet 9-1-1 network costs, and certain other costs related to processing and responding to 9-1-1 calls as permitted by state statute. The majority of the costs of providing public safety services, including the remaining costs of operating an Emergency Call Center and First Responder compensation and equipment, are paid out of the County, City or Town's General Fund (from tax revenues), or a Fire District's assessment. There are many demands on the General Fund in addition to public safety, including for education, street and highway maintenance, administration, parks and recreation, compliance with state and federal requirements and mandates, etc.

Why is the 9-1-1Colorado Foundation raising money to support 9-1-1?

Traditional financing sources have proven insufficient to fund the purchase of up-to-date equipment, systems and services in many Colorado Counties. It is estimated that a Next Generation, IP-based network will cost three-times current network costs. We believe that providing for the public safety is the most important mission of local government, and want to provide supplemental funding to assure that the most up-to-date 9-1-1 system is available to summon First Responders when you need them, no matter where you live, work, play or travel in Colorado.

How do I know my contribution won't allow existing funding for public safety to be diverted to other uses?

The 9-1-1Colorado Foundation will provide grant funding for the purchase of equipment, software, systems, and specific services and training. The Foundation will not fund ongoing operating costs. 9-1-1 Authority Boards are audited annually, and Grant Applications and Grant Agreements will require information and commitments regarding the jurisdiction's funding of 9-1-1 and First Responders, where appropriate, to assure that Grants are made and prioritized based on need. Grants may also be made on condition of matching funds.

There have been news reports about States "raiding" 9-1-1 funds and using them to meet general budget shortfalls. How do I know my contribution won't be raided?

9-1-1 Funds have never been "raided" in Colorado. Nevertheless, the Foundation intends to make grant disbursements directly to vendors and service suppliers.

How will my contribution benefit me?

At the 9-1-1Colorado Foundation, we hope that neither you nor any member of your family will ever need to call 9-1-1, or need assistance from First Responders. If you do, however, we want assure the Colorado 9-1-1 System will hasten First Responders to your location and assistance without delay.

Even if it's our neighbors who directly benefit from modernization of the Colorado 9-1-1 System, we believe we will all still benefit. Faster and more effective first response to police, fire and health emergencies can reduce losses, public costs, and insurance rates. Operational efficiencies which reduce the time First Responders spend completing reports and other administrative tasks, and allow them to use their time more efficiently, can reduce overall public safety costs. Incident data captured by modern public safety information systems enables statistical analyses of incident data. Such analyses can be used by public safety agencies to document and address high traffic accident areas, deploy First Responders more efficiently, and assess and improve procedures and tactics. Modernizing the 9-1-1 Network will also allow First Responders in adjacent jurisdictions to communicate and work together more effectively .