A new law in Colorado has created a statewide structure for
training and credentialing amateur radio volunteers as part of a new Auxiliary
Emergency Communications Unit within the Division of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management. The new unit will perform all RACES functions statewide. According to the ARRL Letter, the concept was developed by Colorado Section Emergency Coordinator and State Government Liaison Robert Wareham, N0ESQ. He had noted that too often, "valuable amateur radio resources are diluted by having multiple organizations in a single community competing with each other, such as having separate ARES and RACES organizations in a single county." Under the new law, says Wareham, "all Colorado ARES members who meet the training and background check requirements of the AuxComm Unit will be issued credentials that will be recognized statewide."