Emergency Alerts
Emergency alerts provide timely, life-saving information to the public during critical situations. The Town of Superior and Boulder County compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the BOCO Alert system.
Where can I sign up for emergency alerts for the Town of Superior?
To receive emergency alerts, visit BOCOalert.org and create an account.
What happens when I opt in to receive emergency alerts?
You can receive emergency alerts via phone call, text message, email, and/or fax based on up to five locations you care about. You can choose to receive notifications about events that may affect any address within Boulder County, such as your home, workplace, family residence, or school.
When will emergency alerts be used?
The system will be used whenever law enforcement or fire officials determine there is a need to alert the community due to an imminent threat or major incident that may impact your health or safety. Upon request from first responders, 911 center staff will gather pertinent information from law enforcement or fire officials and initiate an alert to a geographical area specified by responding public safety resources.
What types of alerts might I receive?
- Warning to Evacuate: Prepare to evacuate due to an emergency (typically issued for wildfires but may also be issued for other life-safety situations). Individuals needing extra time to mobilize should take immediate action.
- Order to Evacuate: Take action immediately due to an imminent threat to life.
- Order to Climb to Higher Ground: Take action immediately due to imminent flooding. This may be as simple as scurrying up a nearby hillside, which could save your life during flash-flood emergencies.
- Order to Shelter in Place: A directive to remain indoors until the hazardous situation is resolved.
- Missing/Endangered Person(s): Public safety officials want the community to be on the lookout for a missing or endangered person.
- All Clear: A follow-up to previous messages issued after public safety officials determine the hazard has been mitigated and no longer presents a threat to the community.
Will I get emergency alerts if I don't sign up?
Maybe. If law enforcement or fire officials determine an imminent threat to life, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) may be used in addition to individual sign-up accounts. The alert may be transmitted through Wireless Emergency Alerts (Amber Alert-style broadcasted messages), Emergency Alerting System (EAS) over AM/FM radio and broadcast television.
How will I know the specific area being notified if I have more than one address on my account?
- All alerts should include a location description. This could be an address, an intersection, or a well-known landmark, such as a body of water or a geographical feature.
- All alerts sent via text or email will include a link that directs you to the full message and an interactive map of the area being notified.
What if my phone number or email address changes?
The system is only as good as the information you provide. If your contact information changes, please visit your profile to update it.
Will my contact information be shared with others?
No. The information that you provide will be used only for emergency alerting purposes. BOCO Alert will not give or sell your contact or location information to any vendor or other organization.
What happens if I block solicitor calls?
Anyone who signs up for emergency alerts through BOCO Alert is encouraged to create a "BOCO Alert" contact on their mobile device with the phone number 303-441-1400. All emergency alerts will be delivered from this number, allowing you to set preferences for this contact.
To ensure alerts come through, keep your phone off silent or do not disturb, or adjust your phone's settings to allow the 303-441-1400 contact number to ring/text through by following guidance for your phone's make and model.
Can I receive emergency alerts in different languages?
Yes! All BOCO Alerts will be pushed to the ReachWell app for translation needs. Download the ReachWell app, subscribe to BOCO Alert, and choose your preferred language. Find instructions on the Boulder Office of Disaster Management's website. Please note that all emergency alerts for Boulder County and the cities of Boulder and Longmont will be pushed to the BOCO Alert channel in ReachWell.
I have additional questions. Where do I go?