A project that started in 2023 is nearing the finish line in Greene County.

A new $3.3 million emergency communications tower has been built in Seven Hills Park and is ready to be fully functional. Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams says the state switched its communications to an Inoperability Communication System so that any first responder and law enforcement agency could communicate with each other across the state. He points out that not having this new system meant local entities could not request help from surrounding agencies outside of Greene County, as he describes in one recent example when Grand Junction Fire and Rescue responded to a vehicle crash just out of Greene County into Boone County.

“They would not have been able to communicate with the officers on scene to figure out what the injuries are, what do they need? It would’ve been, ‘Wait ’til you get there and then figure it out.’ Which takes time to call back to get more resources coming. So it’s a good save, it’s well spent money. Definitely increase the safety of the citizens and our first responders.” 

Williams adds the tower was tested and it has about 96 percent coverage in the county, and the final steps are to calibrate some of the remaining portable radios to give to the other agencies within the county and then the communications system will officially switch over. 

The County Board of Supervisors approved $3.3 million of general obligation bonds to cover the expense of the new tower and other equipment, including new portable radios.