Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting

05/29/2026

The wait is over—the full schedule for the 2026 COTAK Summit is now finalized and available to view. 🎉

From hands-on training and live demonstrations to user panels and emerging technology discussions, this year’s Summit is packed with opportunities to learn, collaborate, and connect with public safety professionals from across Colorado.

Join us July 7–9, 2026, at Copper Mountain and be part of the conversation shaping the future of public safety technology in Colorado.

Registration is still open, but space is limited. View the full schedule and reserve your spot today at cotak.gov/summit.

05/04/2026

When your whole team shows up on the map in real time… That’s the Force working in your favor.

May the Fourth be with you. ✨

05/01/2026

April has come and gone, and we wanted to share some of our favorite moments this month.

✈️ The CoE participated in the annual Rifle Garfield County Airport Field Trip Day, giving students, families, and aviation enthusiasts the chance to learn more about aviation and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at airport operations. Our team brought uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to demonstrate how drones and other technologies are used in public safety.

📱This month, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control hosted a new employee orientation that included a hands-on COTAK scavenger hunt around Glenwood Springs, where the training was held. Attendees explored downtown while getting familiar with the COTAK system.

📡COTAK is reaching new heights—literally. The Colorado Team Awareness Kit (COTAK) recently demonstrated that the Android Team Awareness Kit can now operate using T-Mobile's direct-to-satellite connectivity. This advancement keeps teams connected and visible, even in remote or off-grid environments.

It’s been a busy spring, and we’re excited about the projects ahead. Follow the CoE for the latest updates on our innovative public safety work.

04/24/2026

What happens when there’s no cell service but communication is critical?

The Colorado Team Awareness Kit (COTAK) has demonstrated that the Android Team Awareness Kit can now operate using T-Mobile's direct-to-satellite connectivity, keeping teams connected and visible even in off-grid environments.

This is a meaningful advancement for responder safety across Colorado. See it in action: cotak.gov/pages/connectivity. 📡

04/17/2026

Thank you, Fountain Fire Department and City of Fountain Government, for having us! We’re thrilled to welcome you as part of the COTAK family and look forward to working together to create a stronger common operating picture in Colorado. 💪🏻

02/24/2026

Thank you, The Aspen Times, for featuring the Center of Excellence in your story about the important role drones play in public safety, especially in supporting search and rescue teams across the state. We appreciate your coverage and the opportunity to share how technology is making a difference in our communities!

Colorado rescue teams are turning to drones for safer, faster backcountry missions. LINK IN COMMENTS👇

11/11/2025

Today, we take a moment to reflect on and honor the incredible courage, sacrifice, and bravery of our veterans. 🇺🇸

The Center of Excellence is proud to recognize two of our own, Aviation Projects Manager Tony Somogyi and Uncrewed Systems Support Technician Christian Harris, for their invaluable service to our country. ❤️

Tony served in the United States Army from 1998 to 2019, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). The photo shared here captures him in 2003 during his time in Iraq.

Christian, too, dedicated himself to the Army, retiring after 7 years of service as a Sergeant. As we observe this Veterans Day, let us come together to express our heartfelt gratitude to Tony, Christian, and all veterans for their unwavering commitment and sacrifice.

11/03/2025

‼️SAVE THE DATE‼️

We are excited to announce our inaugural conference, the Colorado Team Awareness Kit (COTAK) Summit, taking place from July 7-9, 2026, at the Copper Mountain Conference Center. ⛰️

At the COTAK Summit, you can expect to gain hands-on experience with the latest COTAK tools, hear real-world success stories from champion agencies, and connect with leaders driving innovation in public safety. With live demonstrations, training sessions, and networking opportunities, this event offers a unique chance to learn and collaborate, paving the way for a stronger future in public safety. 🚔🚒

This event is open to all current and future COTAK users and contributors. COTAK users encompass all first responders in the State of Colorado, while contributors are individuals who help advance the platform through development, training, or support. If you are a first responder using COTAK in the field, the COTAK Summit is designed for you!

Registration for the COTAK Summit will open in January 2026. For further details about this event, please visit cotak.gov/summit.

10/03/2025

🥳FLYCART FRIDAY🥳

It’s Friday, and what better day than today to conduct some testing on the DJI Flycart 30? This afternoon, our team was testing the drone in order to create a performance chart for this aircraft.

An aircraft performance chart is a document that provides essential data for safe and efficient flight planning to pilots. These charts display the aircraft capabilities, including climb rates and range under specific conditions. Pilots use these charts to calculate performance based on variables like aircraft weight, temperature, pressure altitude, and wind, ensuring they operate within the aircraft's limitations.

This step is crucial when testing new aircrafts, especially Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), as it helps maintain the safety and efficiency of both the pilot and the drone. On behalf of everyone at the CoE, we hope you have a wonderful and safe weekend!

09/23/2025

Thank you to Mesa County Search & Rescue for sharing another success story utilizing the Colorado Team Awareness Kit (COTAK).

With COTAK's UAS integration, the drone transmitted a live video feed to all team members through COTAK, providing responders with real-time visuals of the subject's location and the surrounding terrain.

Well done, MCSAR!