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Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan

The purpose of the Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP) is to outline general guidelines on how the state carries out its response and recovery responsibilities to address an emergency or disaster event. This plan can only be activated through the issuance of a Governor's Executive Order. Adoption of the plan through this order identifies that the director of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) within the Department of Public Safety will lead state disaster or emergency response and recovery efforts. Once the plan is activated, all state departments and offices are mandated under the authority of the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act (C.R.S. 24-33.5-701) and this plan to carry out assigned activities related to mitigating effects of an emergency or disaster and to cooperate fully with each other, the OEM, and other political subdivisions in providing emergency assistance.

The purpose of the Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP) is to outline general guidelines on how the state carries out its response and recovery responsibilities to address an emergency or disaster event. This plan can only be activated through the issuance of a Gubernatorial  Executive Order. Adoption of the Plan through this order identifies that the Director of the Office of  Emergency Management (OEM) within the Department of Public Safety will lead state disaster or emergency response and recovery efforts. Once the plan is activated, all state departments and offices are mandated under the authority of the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act (C.R.S. 24-33.5-701) and this plan to carry out assigned activities related to mitigating effects of an emergency or disaster and to cooperate fully with each other, the OEM, and other political subdivisions in providing emergency assistance. 

Major emergencies and disasters are complex events that present communities and emergency personnel with extraordinary problems and challenges that cannot be adequately addressed within the routine operations of local government. This plan is meant to be a flexible framework that is easily adapted to small and large events, as well as catastrophic disasters. The SEOP provides a structure and mechanism for a coordinated effort by state, local and federal agencies, volunteer organizations and private businesses to support in providing for the prevention of injury, loss of life, minimizing human suffering and the protection of public health and property of residents, visitors and communities of the State of Colorado. This plan takes an all-discipline, all-hazards approach that establishes a single, comprehensive framework from which preparation, prevention, mitigation, response to and recovery from natural, human-caused or technological disaster incidents takes place. The SEOP sets forth the necessary requirements to ensure effective planning and procedures, resource management, training,  exercise, communications, and public information dissemination will result in meeting our commitment and obligation to provide the best possible outcome in responding to and recovering from an emergency or disaster.  

The SEOP defines the organizational structure and operation of the Colorado State Emergency  Operations Center (SEOC). The SEOP is established to coordinate and support state and local government actions during an emergency or disaster event. The SEOC is always activated, but the OEM  Director determines the appropriate activation level based on the severity of the incident and the level of effort required to provide the required support and coordination.  

This plan recognizes and respects that Colorado is a local control state, and all incidents are under the jurisdiction of local governments and start and end locally. If an emergency or disaster overwhelms the resources and capability of a local jurisdiction, the governor may exercise his or her authority to use the resources of the state government.  

The SEOP is designed to minimize disruption of State operations by establishing a system of collaboration by all state departments during times of crisis. To meet this goal, it is imperative that all state departments and agencies and their personnel ensure that they are prepared, trained and execute their required roles and responsibilities in accordance with this plan. All state departments and agencies are responsible for developing and maintaining up-to-date internal plans and procedures for carrying out assigned emergency functions as outlined in this Plan.  

This SEOP and the sections contained herein are subject to and compliant with the National  Incident Management System (NIMS). This SEOP aligns with and supports the National Response  Framework (NRF), National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF), and the Emergency Support  Functions (ESF) Annexes. This system is scalable, flexible and adaptable to deliver support to those jurisdictions in need of assistance.  

Introduction

Promulgation

  1. Effective upon signature, the 2023 Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP) supersedes all previous versions.
  2. This plan will remain in effect until superseded or canceled.
  3. Changes to this plan may be made at any time. Following initial signature of the base plan by the governor, the director of the Office of Emergency Management shall have the authority to approve all changes and revisions.

Implementation

  1. Upon activation of the SEOP through executive order (verbal or written) all state agencies, organizations, departments and positions with areas of responsibility shall implement this plan by coordinating with the SEOC and executing their duties as identified in this plan.

Approval

  1. Pursuant to the authority vested in the Office of the Governor of the State of Colorado and pursuant to the relevant portions of the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act, 24-33.5-704 et seq., C.R.S., I, Jared Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby approve the revised Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan. 

Given under my hand and executive seal of the State of Colorado, this 19 day of May 2023. 

Jared S. Polis 

Governor 

Download the Promulgation and Approval Letter

Purpose, Scope, Colorado Overview, and Assumptions 

A. Purpose 

The Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP): 

a) Outlines a framework for the coordination and integration of response and recovery operations between local, tribal, state and federal agencies. 

b) Identifies roles and responsibilities of state agencies, non–governmental organizations, and the private sector in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from an incident. 

c) Provides a mechanism to successfully meet response and recovery goals, objectives, and priorities for incidents that have impacted local jurisdictions, Tribal nations, and/or the state as a whole. 

d) Is the primary and overarching plan for managing emergencies and disasters from the state level. It details the coordinating structures and processes used during disasters and emergencies in Colorado. Other supplemental agency plans provide details on authorities, response and recovery protocols, and technical guidance for responding to and managing specific situations (e.g., hazardous materials spills, wildland fires, health emergencies). 

B. Scope 

1. The SEOP is focused on an all-hazards approach in responding to and recovering from natural, technological, and/or human-caused incidents, emergencies and disasters. 

2. The SEOP applies to state–level activities during incidents, emergencies and disasters. It may be used as a reference document for local jurisdiction emergency operations and recovery plans. 

3. The SEOP outlines an incident management structure that aligns with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). 

4. Once the SEOP has been activated by the Governor or their designated representative, it shall remain in effect (for the specified incident) until all State-level response and recovery operations have culminated. For major events, response and recovery operations may last months or years. 

Read or download the full SEOP Base Plan.

 

 

Contact DHSEM

Agency Information
9195 E. Mineral Avenue, Suite 200
Centennial, CO  80112

Main Phone Number: 720-852-6600
Mineral Office Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.


State of Colorado Emergency Operations line: 303-279-8855

Public Information Line: 720-432-2433

Website questions: Contact Micki Trost at micki.trost@state.co.us

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