Montrose, CO –  Beginning Thursday morning Nov. 1, all emergency phone calls, texts, and other non-emergency related inquires normally routed through the Montrose Regional Dispatch Center will be permanently routed to the WestCO dispatch center.  Agencies affected include the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, Ouray County Sheriff’s Office, Ouray Police Department, Ridgway Marshal, Black Canyon National Park, Olathe Fire and EMS, Ouray Fire, Ouray EMS, Ridgway Fire, Loghill Fire, Nucla/Naturita Fire & EMS, Paradox Fire & EMS, and Montrose Regional Airport Fire & Rescue.  The change in service will not affect 911 service operations and there will be no lapse in emergency service for the public. 

Non-emergency dispatch calls to reach the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies served by the Montrose Regional Dispatch Center will be re-routed to WestCO.  It is important to remember that there will be no changes in the numbers previously used to reach dispatch.  The only change is the greeting—the dispatcher will answer the phone and state “WestCO Dispatch.”   The public may also reach WestCO via phone call or text on the non-emergency number 970-249-9110, as well as to 911.  

A memorandum of understanding was created between Montrose County, budget agency of Montrose Regional Dispatch Center, and WestCO to allow WestCO to handle emergency communications and dispatch services while all parties continue to draft formal membership and service agreements. WestCO will be moving operations from the Montrose Police Department to the Montrose County Justice Center Annex Building on Nov. 1. 

WestCO is set to assume all dispatch services at 4 a.m. Thursday Nov. 1.  For more information on WestCO, please visit www.wcrdc.net. 

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