Chapter History

November 1940: In November 1940 two National APCO members; Raymond J Derby and Howard M Williams of Denver served on three National Committees. In 1941 Mr. Derby attended the National APCO Conference in Oakland, Ca and was Sergeant at Arms of APCO in 1942. In 1942 Mr. R.E. Barraloagh of Pueblo, Co became a member attending the APCO conference. Mr. Derby of the Denver Police Department was 2nd Vice-President of National APCO in 1943 and this was when Colorado became a prospective chapter in 1944 and was chartered by President J.R. Derby.

Colorado does not have the charter, it is on file at National in Florida.

March 17, 1944: Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of APCO Chartered

1944-1953:
President: J.R. Derby; Denver Police Department
Secretary/Treasurer: G.E. Drumeller; Denver Police Department

1945: Colorado-Wyoming APCO introduced as the "Perched on the Continental Divide Chapter" linking the west and east coast and climaxing the National APCO campaign to create a chain of chapters from coast-coast

1953-1956:
President: Frank A. Swanland; Colorado State Patrol
Secretary/Treasurer: Virgil L. Puryear; Colorado State Patrol

1956-1958: Gap in Officer History.

1959-1960:
President: Virgil L. Puryear; Colorado State Patrol
Secretary/Treasurer: G.E. Drumelle; Denver Police Department
Executive Committee Member: Frank A. Swanland; Denver Police Department

August 2, 1959 (Sunday) - Denver, Co

25th Annual APCO Conference registration held at Savoy Hotel with Chairman Bob Swanlund and National President was Bill Gamble. This conference included barbecued buffalo and a trip to Echo Lake Lodge.

1960-1964:
President: E.W. Howell; Colorado State Patrol
Secretary/Treasurer: Dave L. Niblack; Colorado State Patrol
1st Vice President: G.E. Drumeller; Denver Police Department
2nd Vice President: B.J. Emmanuel; Denver Police Department

1964-1968:
President:
Secretary/Treasurer: Dave L. Niblack; Colorado State Patrol

1968-1970:
President: Jan A. Burton; Jefferson County Sheriff's Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Dave L. Niblack; Colorado State Patrol
1st Vice President: Robert E. Olson; Wyoming State Highways

1970-1972:
President: Bob Olson; Wyoming State Highways
Secretary/Treasurer: Dave L. Niblack; Colorado State Patrol
1st Vice President: Jan A. Burton; Jefferson County Sheriff's Department

1972-1973:
President: Walter J. Farneisan; Adams County Sheriff's Department
1st Vice President: Jacob Herzog; EOC Cheyenne, Wyoming
2nd Vice President: Donald Manke; Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Earl Spenard; Jefferson County Sheriff's Department

1973-1975:
President: Earl Spenard; Jefferson County Sheriff's Department
1st Vice President: Willis Music; Wyoming State Highways
2nd Vice President: John Shafer; Boulder County
Secretary/Treasurer: Ronald Christianson; Jefferson County Sheriff's Department

1975-1976:
President: John Shafer; Boulder County
1st Vice President: Dick Downey; Colorado State Patrol
2nd Vice President: William Woodward; University of Colorado
Secretary/Treasurer: Earl Spenard; Jefferson County Sheriff's Department

1976-1977:
President: W.D. "Bill" McCaa; Boulder County Sheriff's Department
1st Vice President: Louis Martinelli; Jefferson County Sheriff's Department
2nd Vice President: Andy Anderson; Colorado Division of Communications
Secretary/Treasurer: John Shafer; Boulder County

*Alan Armitage was a National and Colorado Chapter Life Member - Served as APCO International President 1976-1977 (New Jersey)*

1977-1978:
President: W.D. "Bill" McCaa; Boulder County Sheriff's Department
1st Vice President: Andy Anderson; Colorado Division of Communications
2nd Vice President: Willis Music; Wyoming Highway Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Rudy Ortquist; Adams County Communications

1978-1979:
President: William Gray; State of Wyoming
1st Vice President: W.D. "Bill" McCaa; Boulder County Sheriff's Department
2nd Vice President: Dick Smith; Colorado Springs Fire Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Geri A. LaPenna, Adams County Communications

1979-1980:
President: W.D. "Bill" McCaa; Boulder County Sheriff's Department
1st Vice President: Andy Anderson; Colorado Division of Communications
2nd Vice President: Willis Music; Wyoming Highway Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Rudy Ortquist; Adams County Communications

1980-1982:
President: Robert DuPree, Arvada Police Department
1st Vice President: Dennis Bruns; Boulder Communications
2nd Vice President: Megan Dreller; St Anthony Hospital Systems
Secretary/Treasurer: Leah Kiekbusch, Arvada Police Department

1982-1983:
President: Rick Woodsome; Jefferson County Sheriff's Department
1st Vice President: Leah Kiekbusch, Arvada Police Department
2nd Vice President: Lee McBrien; Larimer County Sheriff's Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Jo Engel; Longmont Police Department

1983-1984:
President: Dennis Bruns, Boulder Communications
1st Vice President: Rick Woodsome; Jefferson County Sheriff's Department
2nd Vice President: Kim Allen; Boulder Communications
Secretary/Treasurer: Jo Engel, Longmont Police Department

1984-1985: (Record Incomplete)
President: Mike Borrego
1st Vice President:
2nd Vice President:
Secretary/Treasurer: Debbie Tellez

1985-1986: (Record Incomplete)
President: Mike Borrego
1st Vice President:
2nd Vice President:
Secretary/Treasurer: Debbie Tellez

1986-1987: (Record Incomplete)
President: Emery Reynolds
1st Vice President:
2nd Vice President:
Secretary/Treasurer: Debbie Tellez

1987-1988: (Record Incomplete)
President: Henry McGowan, Colorado State Patrol
1st Vice President:
2nd Vice President:
Secretary/Treasurer:

1988-1989: Gap in officer history.

1989-1990: (Record Incomplete)
President: Joyce Voskamp/Tom Tolman (AdCom)
1st Vice President:
2nd Vice President: Brent Finster, Aspen-Pitkin County
Secretary/Treasurer:

1990-1991: (Record Incomplete)
President: Tom Tolman, AdCom
1st Vice President: Brent Finster, Aspen-Pitkin County
2nd Vice President:
Secretary/Treasurer:

1991-1992: (Record Incomplete)
President: Brent Finster, Aspen-Pitkin County
1st Vice President: Ken Replogle, Boulder County
2nd Vice President:
Secretary/Treasurer: Cathy Archuleta, Colorado Springs Police Department
Executive Council Member: Mike Borrego, State of Colorado

1992-1993: (Record Incomplete)
President: Brent Finster, Aspen-Pitkin County
1st Vice President: Ken Replogle, Boulder County
2nd Vice President: Hank Cramer, Lakewood Police Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Debbie Tellez, Larimer County
Executive Council Member: Mike Borrego, State of Colorado

1993-1994:
President: Ken Repogle, Boulder Communications
1st Vice President: Hank Cramer, Lakewood Police Department
2nd Vice President: Mark Crowley, Denver Police Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Debbie Tellez, Larimer County
Executive Council Member: Mike Borrego, State of Colorado

1994-1995:
President: Mark Crowley, Denver Police Department
1st Vice President: Jake Shirk, Aurora Police Communications
2nd Vice President: Mike Slavick, Larimer County
Secretary/Treasurer: Debbie Tellez, Larimer County
Executive Council Member: Mike Borrego, State of Colorado

1995-1996:
President: Mike Slavick, Larimer County
1st Vice President: Bob Sayers, Colorado Springs
2nd Vice President: Abbie Cobb, Summit County Communications
Secretary/Treasurer: Debbie Tellez, Larimer County
Executive Council Member: Mike Borrego, State of Colorado

1996-1997:
President: Bob Sayers, Colorado Springs
1st Vice President: Abbie Cobb, Summit County Communications
2nd Vice President: Patty Reed, Colorado Springs Police Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Charlotte Olsen, Colorado Springs Police Department
Executive Council Member: Mike Borrego, State of Colorado

1997-1998:
President: Abbie Cobb, Summit County Communications
1st Vice President: Patty Reed, Colorado Springs Police Department
2nd Vice President: Mary Moore, Poudre Communications
Secretary/Treasurer: Charlotte Olsen, Colorado Springs Police Department
Executive Council Member: Mike Borrego, State of Colorado

1998-1999:
President: Abbie Cobb, Summit County Communications
1st Vice President: Patty Reed, Colorado Springs Police Department
2nd Vice President: Gary Traylor, Aurora Fire Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Charlotte Olsen, Colorado Springs Police Deparment
Executive Council Member: Brent Finster, Aspen-Pitkin County

1999-2000:
President: Mary Moore, Poudre Communications
1st Vice President: Tim Dunn, Denver Police Department
2nd Vice President: John Kyler, Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office
Secretary/Treasurer: Randy Bell, Colorado Springs Police Department
Executive Council Member: Brent Finster, Aspen-Pitkin County

2000-2001:
President: Tim Dunn, Denver Police Department
1st Vice President: John Kyler, Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office
2nd Vice President: Cindy Cline, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
Secretary/Treasurer: Randy Bell, Colorado Springs Police Department
Executive Council Member: Mike Slavik, Larimer County Sheriff's Office

2001-2002:
President: John Kyler, Gilpin County Sheriff's Office
1st Vice President: Cindy Cline, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
2nd Vice President: Kathy Cline, Golden Police Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Jim Bradley, Lakewood Police Department
Executive Council Member: Emery Reynolds, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office

2002-2003:
President: Cindy Cline, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
1st Vice President: Barbara Tulhoski, Denver Police Department
2nd Vice President: Randy Nelson, Blackhawk Police Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Jim Bradley, Lakewood Police Department
Executive Council Member: Emery Reynolds, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office

2003-2004:
President: Barbara Tulhoski, Denver Police Department
1st Vice President: Heather McCarthy, Greenwood Village Police Department
2nd Vice President: Kristin Vondra, Denver Police Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Andrew, Lakewood Police Department
Executive Council Member: Jim Bradley, Lakewood Police Department

2004-2005:
President: Heather McCarthy, Greenwood Village Police Department
1st Vice President: Kristin Vondra, Denver Police Department
2nd Vice President: Carl Stephens, Garfield County Sheriff's Department
Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Andrew, Lakewood Police Department
Executive Council Member: Jim Bradley, Lakewood Police Department

2005-2006:
President: Kristin Vondra, Denver Police Department
1st Vice President: Carl Stephens, Garfield County Sheriff's Department
2nd Vice President: Cindy Cline, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Andrew, Lakewood Police Department
Executive Council Member: Jim Bradley, Lakewood Police Department

2006-2007:
President: Carl Stephens, Garfield County Sheriff's Department
1st Vice President: Cindy Cline, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
2nd Vice President: Christine Benson, Summit County Communications
Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Andrew, Lakewood Police Department
Executive Council Member: Jim Bradley, Lakewood Police Department

2007-2008:
President: Cindy Cline, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
1st Vice President: Darrell Pratt, Chaffee County Sheriff's Office
2nd Vice President: Mary Kyler, Colorado State Patrol
Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Andrew, Lakewood Police Department
Executive Council Member: John Kyler, Gilpin County Sheriff's Office

2008-2009:
President: Darrell Pratt, Chaffee County Sheriff's Office
1st Vice President: Mary Kyler, Colorado State Patrol
2nd Vice President: Cory Friend, Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Andrew, Lakewood Police Department
Executive Council Member: John Kyler, Gilpin County Sheriff's Office

2009-2010:
President: Mary Kyler, Colorado State Patrol
1st Vice President: Cory Friend, Douglas County Sheriff's Office
2nd Vice President: Julie Buck, Aurora
Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Andrew, Lakewood Police Department
Executive Council Member: Heather McCarthy, HSS

2010-2011: (Record Incomplete)
President: Lonna Donin, Boulder Police Department
1st Vice President: Julie Buck, Aurora
2nd Vice President:
Secretary/Treasurer:
Executive Council Member: Doug Andrew, Lakewood Police Department

2011-2012: (Record Incomplete)
President: Julie Buck, Aurora
1st Vice President:
2nd Vice President:
Secretary/Treasurer:
Executive Council Member: Doug Andrew, Lakewood Police Department

2012-2013: (Record Incomplete)
President: Michael Wallace, Weld County
1st Vice President:
2nd Vice President:
Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Andrew, Thornton
Executive Council Member:
Commercial Advisory Member: Mike Borrego

2013-2014: (Record Incomplete)
APCO President: Julie Buck, Aurora
President: Shawn Shear, Thornton
1st Vice President: Cathy Raley, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
2nd Vice President: Jennifer Kirland, Vail
Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Andrew, Thornton
Executive Council Member: Sharon Clever
Commercial Advisory Member: Mike Borrego
Western Region Director: Carl Stephens, Garfield County and Monica Million, Grand Junction
Eastern Region Director: Diane Webber, Larimer County and Chan McCall, W-Y Comm

2014-2015:
President: Cathy Raley, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
1st Vice President: Jennifer Kirkland, Vail
2nd Vice President: Monica Million, Grand Junction
Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Andrew, Thornton, partial term; Julie Buck
Executive Council Member: Sharon Clever
Commercial Advisory Member: Mike Borrego
Western Region Director: Brad Flanagan, Grand Junction and Carl Stephens
Eastern Region Director: Diane Webber and Chan McCall

2015: Colorado APCO and Colorado NENA combine to become CO NENA/APCO

2015-2016:
President: Jennifer Kirkland, Vail
1st Vice President: Monica Million, Grand Junction
2nd Vice President: Bruce Romero, Aspen/Pitkin County
Treasurer: Julie Buck, Aurora
Secretary: Cathy Raley, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
Executive Council Member: Sharon Clever, Routt County
Commercial Advisory Member: Mike Borrego
Western Region Directors: Brad Flanagan, Grand Junction/Carl Stephens, Garfield County
Eastern Region Directors: Diane Webber, Larimer County/Chan McCall, Wy-Comm

2016-2017:
President: Monica Million, Grand Junction
1st Vice President: Bruce Romero, Aspen/Pitkin County
2nd Vice President: Kim Carroll, Denver 911
Secretary/Treasurer: Julie Buck, Aurora
Secretary: Cathy Raley, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
Executive Council Member: Jennifer Kirkland, Vail PD
Commercial Advisory Member: Brian Kelley, Venture Tech

2017-2018:
President: Bruce Romero, Arapahoe County E911 Authority
1st Vice President: Betty DeShazer, AdCom
2nd Vice President: Tina Powell, Weld County
Treasurer: Julie Buck
Secretary: Daryl Branson, DORA
Executive Council Member: Jennifer Kirkland, Vail
Commercial Advisory Member: Mike Borrego
Western Region Directors: Brad Flanagan/Laurie Sherman
Eastern Region Directors: Erica Snyder, Loveland
Commercial Advisory Member: Brian Kelley, Venture Tech

2018-2019: (Record Incomplete)
President: Betty DeShazer
1st Vice President: Tina Powell, Weld County Regional Communications Center
2nd Vice President: Ralene Poncelow, Weld County Regional Communications Center
Secretary: Daryl Branson, DORA
Treasurer: Cathy Raley, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
Executive Council Member: Jennifer Kirkland, Vail
Western Region Directors: James Almond, Garfield County
Eastern Region Directors: Tina Buneta, Colorado State Patrol
Commercial Advisory Member: Brian Kelley, Venture Tech

October 12, 2019: Pitkin County reclassifies 911 Dispatchers as First Responders, the first to do so in Colorado, while Federally Politicians consider the 911 SAVES Act.

2019-2020: (Record Incomplete)
President: Tina Powell, Weld County Regional Communications Center
1st Vice President: Ralene Poncelow, Weld County Regional Communications Center
2nd Vice President: Adam Hathcock, Weld County Regional Communications Center
Immediate Past President: Betty DeShazer
Secretary: Sarah Arrants, Grand Junction Regional Communications Center
Treasurer: Cathy Raley, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
Executive Council Member:  Jennifer Kirkland
Commercial Advisory Member: Brian Kelley, Venture Tech

2020-2021: (Record Incomplete)
President: Ralene Poncelow; Weld Regional Communications Center
1st Vice President: Adam Hathcock; Weld Regional Communications Center
2nd Vice President: Ivett Avalos, Weld County Regional Communications Center
Secretary: Val Turner; Larimer Emergency Telephone Service Authority
Treasurer: Cathy Raley, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
Executive Council Member: Jennifer Kirkland; Grand Junction Regional Communications Center
Eastern Region Director(s):
Western Region Director(s): Scott Krebs; Colorado State Patrol
Commercial Advisory Member: Ken Carson, Xybix

February 5, 2020: Arapahoe County reclassifies 911 Dispatchers as First Responders while Federally Politicians consider the 911 SAVES Act

2021-2022:
President: Adam Hathcock; Weld Regional Communications Center
1st Vice President: Ivett Avalos; Weld Regional Communications Center
2nd Vice President: Matt Harwell; Larimer County Sheriff's Office
Secretary: Val Turner; Larimer Emergency Telephone Service Authority
Treasurer: Jodie Chinn; Gunnison-Hinsdale 9-1-1
Executive Council Member: Jennifer Kirkland; Grand Junction Regional Communications Center
Eastern Region Director(s): Cathy Raley; Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
Western Region Director(s): Scott Krebs; Colorado State Patrol and Brad Flanagan; Pitkin County 9-1-1
Commercial Advisory Member: Ken Carson, Xybix

2022-2023:
President: Ivett Avalos; Weld Regional Communications Center
1st Vice President: Matt Harwell; Larimer County Sheriff's Office
2nd Vice President: Tyler March, South Metro Fire Rescue
Secretary: Rhawnie McGruder; Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office
Treasurer: Jodie Chinn; Gunnison-Hinsdale 9-1-1
Executive Council Member: Jennifer Kirkland; Grand Junction Regional Communications Center
Eastern Region Director 1: Nate Treusch; Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
Eastern Region Director 2: Cathy Raley; Arapahoe County E-911 Authority
Western Region Director 1: Gena Baker; Garfield County 9-1-1
Western Region Director 2: Bobbie Jean Schmidt; Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office
Commercial Advisory Member: Ken Carson, Xybix

2023-2024:
President: Matt Harwell; Larimer County Sheriff's Office
1st Vice President: Tyler March, South Metro Fire Rescue
2nd Vice President: Chris Carnahan; South Metro Fire Rescue
Immediate Past President: Ivett Avalos; Weld County Communications Center
Secretary: Rhawnie McGruder; Rio Blanco County Sheriff
Treasurer: Jodie Chinn; Gunnison-Hinsdale 9-1-1
Eastern Region Director 1: Nathan Treusch; Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
Eastern Region Director 2: Cathy Raley; Arapahoe County E-911 Authority
Western Region Director 1: Gena Baker; Garfield County 911
Western Region Director 2: Bobbie Jean Schmidt; Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office
APCO Executive Council Representative: Jackie Romero; Denver International Airport
Commercial Advisory Member: Kenneth Carson, Xybix

2023-2024: (following resignation of President who took a position in another state)
President: Tyler March; South Metro Fire Rescue
1st Vice President: Chris Carnahan; South Metro Fire Rescue
2nd Vice President: Jennifer Kirkland; Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Immediate Past President: Ivett Avalos; Weld County Communications Center
Secretary: Rhawnie McGruder; Rio Blanco County Sheriff
Treasurer: Jodie Chinn; Gunnison-Hinsdale 9-1-1
Eastern Region Director 1: Nathan Treusch; Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
Eastern Region Director 2: Cathy Raley; Arapahoe County E-911 Authority
Western Region Director 1: Gena Baker; Garfield County 911
Western Region Director 2: Bobbie Jean Schmidt; Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office
APCO Executive Council Representative: Jackie Romero; Denver International Airport
Commercial Advisory Member: Kenneth Carson, Xybix

Landmark Date: March 15, 2024 - House Bill 24-1016 was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis defining "Emergency Communications Specialists" to mean "A FIRST RESPONDER WHOSE OPERATIONAL OR SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES CRITICAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY ARE TO EXERCISE INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT IN THE EXECUTION OF DUTIES THAT INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, RECEIVING, TRIAGING, PROCESSING, TRANSMITTING, OR DISPATCHING 911 EMERGENCY AND NONEMERGENCY CALLS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL, AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES BY TELEPHONE, RADIO, OR OTHER COMMUNICATION DEVICE; OR TRACKING, PROCESSING, AND TRANSMITTING RELEVANT INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC AND OTHER RESOURCES TO FIELD RESPONDERS; OR PROVIDING EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCH." This is was the first time a term for 9-1-1 call takers and dispatcher had been defined in Colorado state law, and the first time they had been recognized as first responders.