Boulder County Sheriff’s Office updates communications plan following Flagstaff Road incident

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is updating its communications plan following a June 3 incident in which a man took his own life during police negotiations on Flagstaff Road.

During the incident, Gross Dam Road was open to residents while Flagstaff Road was closed, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. Drivers were required to show identification to prove their residency.

After reviewing the communication issues that arose from the incident, the sheriff’s office decided to make several changes, the release said. First, the sheriff’s office plans to create an email list specifically for key Flagstaff and Lakeshore community communications partners who can help “quickly disseminate information through channels that the sheriff’s office does not have direct access to,” the release said.

Second, the sheriff’s office can now send updates through the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project newsletter to reach residents who have asked for updates on the project. Officials will also continue to utilize various communication channels such as social media, press releases and emergency text alerts through the Everbridge messaging system, according to the release. The sheriff’s office also has the authority to open Gross Dam Road in the future for similar incidents, the release states.

Third, if emergency responders need to close Flagstaff Road in the future, the sheriff’s office will try to station someone on the side of the road to talk to drivers and prevent them from having to turn around “five miles into their trip,” the news release said.

“Our goal is to ensure timely and effective communications during what is expected to be an extended closure of Flagstaff Road,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.

Finally, the sheriff’s office recommends that residents sign up for emergency alerts at BoCoAlert.com.