Cell service issues in heart of Woodland Park causing issues for first responders

UPDATE: Since the airing of this story, Verizon Wireless says it is working to rectify the issue. A company spokesperson sent the following statement to KRDO:

"We are continuing our ongoing network investment in the Woodland Park area. To improve service, we are adding more network equipment to an existing cell site servicing customers. We are also actively working with Woodland Park to secure a location to erect a new tower for customers. As soon as we have that location, we will work to bring that site into service for the community."

ORIGINAL STORY:

WOODLAND PARK, Colo. (KRDO)-- If an emergency strikes, people living in one Southern Colorado mountain town may not be able to get through to 9-1-1 dispatchers.

It's all part of newly discovered issues with Verizon users in Downtown Woodland Park. According to one Teller County official, it's starting to affect how fast agencies such as the fire department, area law enforcement, and paramedics can get to emergencies.

"From Friday through Sunday, if you're trying to use a cell phone on the Verizon network where you're calling, trying to access data through texting, or accessing apps on your phone, it's very likely you will not get any response," Teller County Commissioner Erik Stone said.

Stone says he and the county commissioners first found out about the issue in Downtown Woodland Park about a week ago. He believes it's a capacity problem, made worse by summer tourism.

"But really only Verizon knows truly what the issue is," Stone adds.

But the issue goes deeper than just a dead spot for calls. The Woodland Park Police, Northeast Teller County Fire District, Teller County Sheriff's Office, Department of Human Services, and the Ute Pass Regional Ambulance District all use Verizon, according to Stone.

"It's affecting the life, health, and safety of our residents because I've now heard reports of people trying to call 9-1-1 that we're never able to connect."

According to Stone, the phones reportedly show that users have enough service to place a call, but often people are saying they can't get through.

Stone's direct concern is not if a fire breaks out, but more so for people who can't get a hold of first responders in an emergency.

"I talked to one of our dispatchers the other day who stated that people were having to drive to reach the next tower just to connect to 9-1-1."

So what can the county and city do while it pushes for a permanent fix from the cell carrier? Stone has one idea.

"What we'd like to see happen is for Verizon to bring up some mobile cell tower units, just like what they brought up during the High Park Fire, that we were able to use in areas that did not have cell coverage."

Stone added that the county doesn't even think tourism numbers are up significantly in 2022, which adds to the puzzling aspect of the service issues. Long term, the county would like Verizon to build a new tower in the area.

KRDO reached out to Verizon on Monday for comment, but beyond an initial promise to look into the issue, did not hear back.