Emergency Warning Sirens To Be Tested In Boulder County

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — The Boulder County government is set to test outdoor warning sirens in most communities beginning Monday at 10 a.m., officials said. The testing will also be conducted at 7 p.m.

The warning alarm test on Monday is the first of the monthly emergency audible siren tests which occur each year on the first Monday of each month from April through August.

The tests will occur twice on each testing day, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., on May 3, June 7, July 5 and Aug. 2.

There are 29 outdoor warning sirens set up across Boulder County, including in Boulder, Erie, Jamestown, Lafayette, Louisville, Lyons, Marshall, Eldorado Springs, Superior and the University of Colorado Boulder.

Siren tests ensure that all systems and procedures are working properly during the season of peak flood danger. The tests also promote public awareness of the warning sirens throughout Boulder County, officials said. Sirens are meant to reach people that are outside, not indoors.

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Louisville, Superior, Erie and Jamestown will participate in the first audible test on Monday, and then opt out for the remaining monthly tests, officials said.

All Boulder County sirens undergo weekly tests throughout the year, using a software program that performs a 'silent' test.

The annual siren testing is a good reminder for community members to sign up for emergency alerts. The system allows people to be notified of emergencies situations on their cell phone, home and work phones and by text messaging and e-mail.

If severe weather hits on the days when the siren testing is scheduled, the tests may be canceled, officials said. Updates can be found here.

Boulder County residents are encouraged to review their own emergency preparedness plans and discuss what they would do in the event of a flash flood or other emergency. More information about personal preparedness can be found here.