Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

What Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management does

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is a state government agency within the Colorado Department of Public Safety, headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, and led by Director Kevin Klein. The division leads and supports Colorado's efforts to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to, and recover from all-hazards events—natural disasters (wildfires, floods, winter storms, earthquakes, avalanches), technological incidents (hazmat, cyber), and human-caused events (terrorism, active shooter). DHSEM operates the always-activated State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), which coordinates state-level response at multiple activation levels (Level 1/2/3), and manages the statutory Colorado All-Hazards Resource Database housed in WebEOC—including the Colorado Resource Rate Form (CRRF) for vetted resource sharing with pre-negotiated FEMA, DHSEM, and DFPC rates. Supporting capabilities include the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a Digital Trunk Radio System for interoperable communications, the Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) for homeland security intelligence, and the Incident Management Teams (IMT) program with Type 3 certified teams.

The division serves Colorado's 64 counties and their municipalities, tribal nations, vulnerable populations (Access and Functional Needs), law enforcement and public-safety agencies (through CISC), and eligible nonprofit organizations (NSGP). Distribution is delivered through Area Field Managers embedded in county EOCs, the SEOC, the Office of Grants Management (HSGP, EMPG, HMEPP, NSGP, SLCGP, LEPIS), and partnerships with FEMA, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), COVOAD, and the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership/BEOC. The agency does not charge fees; funding flows from state appropriations, federal grants (FEMA, DHS), and emergency declarations. In 2025–2026 DHSEM coordinated Governor Polis disaster declarations and FEMA approvals for Western Colorado flooding (FEMA validated $13.8M in public infrastructure damages; Executive Order D 2025 021 unlocked $6M in state funding) and a series of 2026 wildfires (Aspen Acres, Gold Mountain, Willow, Sharpe, Schwachheim).

The business model is non-commercial: DHSEM is a publicly funded regulator, coordinator, and grant administrator without fee-for-service revenue. Its product surface is dominated by the 2023 Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan (approved May 19, 2023 by Governor Polis), WebEOC platform tools, the Colorado All-Hazards Resource Database, IPAWS-based public alerting, Disaster Survivor Portals (CrisisTrack/Juvare), and a Training and Exercise Program (Colorado Academy for Professional Emergency Managers, Basic Academy). Customer concentration does not apply in a traditional sense; the constituency is all Colorado residents, governments, and partners within a defined statutory jurisdiction.

Name

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Legal name

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Website

https://dhsem.colorado.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is a state agency within the Colorado Department of Public Safety that coordinates all-hazards emergency response, recovery, and homeland security across Colorado's 64 counties, tribal nations, and partner agencies through the State Emergency Operations Center and the statutory Colorado All-Hazards Resource Database.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Management Services

NAICS

Fire Protection (92216), Fire Protection (922160)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Public Safety & Emergency Management (Police, Fire, EMS Oversight) (BPAIABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Management & Disaster Response (EOC, Civil Defense) (BPAIAGAE), Community Safety Administration (Fire/EMS, Emergency Management) (BPAIACAL), Natural Disaster Preparedness & Recovery (Storm/Flood/Wildfire) (BPABANAI), Facility Emergency Response Plans (ERP) & Integrated Contingency Plans (ICP) (EUAHALAB)

Keywords

• Emergency management services
• Disaster response coordination
• Homeland security operations
• Emergency preparedness planning
• Incident management systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Centennial

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Colorado DHSEM is the state's central coordinating body for all-hazards emergency management, operating the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP). It mobilizes emergency resources through the statutorily mandated Colorado All-Hazards Resource Database (CAHRD) housed in WebEOC, administers federal and state grant programs for preparedness and recovery, facilitates Governor-led disaster declarations to unlock state and federal funding, and delivers training, exercise, and Incident Management Team (IMT) capabilities to Colorado's 64 counties, tribal nations, and partner agencies.

Product overview

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management operates a unified emergency management ecosystem centered on the Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP), which provides the coordination framework for all state disaster response and recovery activities. The core operational infrastructure includes the always-active State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and the Colorado All-Hazards Resource Database housed in WebEOC. The Colorado Resource Rate Form (CRRF) system enables vetted resource sharing with pre-arranged cost agreements. Supporting services include the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) for public notifications, Disaster Survivor Portals for individual recovery tracking, the Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool for consolidated recovery resources, Incident Management Teams for on-ground incident command, and a Training and Exercise Program for professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• COEmergency: Official emergency alert and information platform for the State of Colorado
• READYColorado
• Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC)
• State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)

Products and services

• Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP) The foundational all-hazards framework plan outlining how Colorado coordinates state-level emergency response and recovery operations. Activated through a Governor's Executive Order, the SEOP establishes the organizational structure and operation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and integrates with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), National Response Framework, and Emergency Support Functions (ESF) annexes.
• Colorado All-Hazards Resource Database (CAHRD) A statutorily mandated database housed in WebEOC that tracks equipment and resources available from governmental agencies and NGOs statewide for emergency deployment. Contains the vetted Colorado Resource Rate Form (CRRF) process and a non-vetted tab for just-in-time resource requests.
• State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) The always-active coordination center supporting state and local government actions during emergencies, operating at different activation levels (Level 1, 2, 3) determined by the OEM Director based on incident severity. DHSEM staff and Emergency Support Functions provide support and coordination across all state departments during crisis.
• Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) A national system for authorities to send emergency alerts to the public via Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), supporting alerting authority designation and providing SEOC support to local agencies across Colorado.
• Incident Management Teams (IMT) State-certified teams available for deployment to manage incidents across Colorado, including Type 3 teams, conference/training programs (annual IMT Conference), and position-specific certification pathways for team members.
• Training and Exercise Program Comprehensive emergency management training including the Colorado Academy for Professional Emergency Managers, Colorado National Emergency Management Basic Academy, course coordination, exercise resources, and the AFN University track on Access and Functional Needs.
• WebEOC Incident Management Platform The incident management software platform used to house the Colorado All-Hazards Resource Database and support SEOC operations, providing real-time resource tracking, coordination capabilities, and the WebEOC 213RR resource request process for state and local emergency management.

Quantifiable outcome

• FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grants approved for multiple 2026 wildfires, covering up to 75% of eligible fire operation costs
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Colorado Department of Public SafetycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHSEM is a division within the Colorado Department of Public Safety. The Department provides administrative oversight and coordinates with DPS divisions including Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) during emergency responses.
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEMA provides federal disaster declaration support, Fire Management Assistance Grants (covering up to 75% of firefighting costs), Public Assistance programs, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding. FEMA staff are co-located in the SEOC during major activations.
• Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFPC provides wildland fire management, aviation resources, and incident management teams. DFPC and DHSEM coordinate closely during wildfire responses, with DFPC supporting administrative/financial oversight and intelligence products including imaging, mapping, and fire behavior modeling.
• Colorado Department of Human ServicessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on targeted violence prevention programs and provides disaster resource guidance for county human services. Collaborates on the Colorado Resilience Collaborative.
• University of Denver - Colorado Resilience CollaborativesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supporting targeted violence prevention and resilience initiatives through the Colorado Information Analysis Center's prevention program.
• Colorado Information Sharing Consortium (CISC)coreTechnology or IntegrationCISC is the state's information sharing platform for law enforcement and public safety. DHSEM's LEPIS Grant Program funds rural agencies to join CISC, enabling criminal justice information sharing across Colorado.
• National Governors AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGA provided program funding for Colorado's targeted violence prevention initiative launched June 1, 2018, coordinated through DHSEM's Colorado Information Analysis Center.
• Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership / Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate sector partnership providing emergency preparedness training and coordination between government and business sector during disasters.
• Colorado Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (COVOAD)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVOAD coordinates volunteer organizations active in disaster response and recovery. DHSEM collaborates with COVOAD on recovery assistance centers and donation management during major incidents.
• Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 6secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal incident management team assumed command of the Aspen Acres Fire on July 2, 2026. DHSEM coordinates with these teams during large-scale wildfire responses.
• Rocky Mountain Team 2 Area Complex Incident Management TeamsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal IMT that assumed management of the Gold Mountain Fire on July 14, 2026. These teams provide specialized wildland fire management capability supported by DHSEM.
• Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMAC is the national interstate mutual aid system for emergency management. DHSEM manages Colorado's EMAC deployments and coordinates with other states for resource sharing during disasters.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): The federal-level emergency management agency that provides funding, coordination, and policy direction to state emergency management agencies including Colorado DHSEM. Functions as the umbrella organization in the federal-state emergency management partnership.

Regional players

• Utah Division of Emergency Management: Utah's state emergency management agency that operates under the state's Department of Public Safety. Comparable to Colorado DHSEM with similar SEOC operations, county coordinator network, and all-hazards approach in a state with comparable wildfire and seismic risks.
• Nevada Division of Emergency Management: Nevada's state emergency management agency operating the State Emergency Operations Center in Carson City. Comparable to Colorado DHSEM with regional wildfire and all-hazards response mandate, though smaller in scope.
• Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA): Arizona's combined emergency management and military affairs department serving a state with similar wildfire and extreme heat exposure. Comparable to Colorado DHSEM with regional all-hazards approach and SEOC-equivalent operations.
• Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM): Oregon's state emergency management agency operating the State Emergency Coordination Center. Comparable to Colorado DHSEM with similar wildfire and regional disaster response responsibilities, though operates with a different organizational structure.

Direct peers

• California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES): California's state-level emergency management agency serving the country's most populous state. Operates the California State Threat Assessment Center and coordinates CalEOC. Directly comparable to Colorado DHSEM as a state emergency management division with statutory authority, SEOC operations, and federal grant administration.
• New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES): New York's combined homeland security and emergency management agency. Directly comparable to Colorado DHSEM as a state-level agency combining homeland security intelligence with emergency management operations, field response, and federal grant administration.
• Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM): Texas's state emergency management agency operating the State Operations Center and managing FEMA disaster coordination. Directly comparable to Colorado DHSEM with similar all-hazards mandate, wildfire and flood response requirements, and statewide county-coverage model.
• Washington State Emergency Management Division: Washington's state emergency management division operating within the state's military department. Directly comparable to Colorado DHSEM with similar wildfire and flood response mandates, SEOC operations, and county-level coordination responsibilities.
• Florida Division of Emergency Management (FL DEM): Florida's state emergency management agency with frequent hurricane activation experience. Operates the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. Directly comparable to Colorado DHSEM with SEOC operations, FEMA coordination, and similar scope of natural disaster response.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/COEmergency
• YouTubeyoutube.com/coemergency1
• Facebookfacebook.com/comergency
• Instagraminstagram.com/coemergency
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado_dhsem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management