Community Awareness Program

Recent acts of terror domestically and abroad have served as important reminders of the threats and vulnerabilities we face. Now, more than ever, we must remain vigilant. The CELL’s groundbreaking Community Awareness Program (CAP) is a critical prevention and preparedness training on recognizing and reporting suspicious activity to help prevent terrorism, targeted violence and other criminal activity.
The CAP was created in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. It is DHS SAFETY Act Certified and holds several additional accreditations and awards. The CAP’s behavior-focused approach preserves civil liberties protected by the U.S. Constitution.
The CAP has been deployed in states and municipalities, sporting events and venues, community groups, nonprofits and private sector organizations across the U.S. It is customizable and scalable to your organization. Please contact us at cap@thecell.org for more information.

Recent acts of terror domestically and abroad have served as important reminders of the threats and vulnerabilities we face. Now, more than ever, we must remain vigilant. The CELL’s groundbreaking Community Awareness Program (CAP) is a critical prevention and preparedness training on recognizing and reporting suspicious activity to help prevent terrorism, targeted violence and other criminal activity.
The CAP was created in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. It is DHS SAFETY Act Certified and holds several additional accreditations and awards. The CAP’s behavior-focused approach preserves civil liberties protected by the U.S. Constitution.
The CAP has been deployed in states and municipalities, sporting events and venues, community groups, nonprofits and private sector organizations across the U.S. It is customizable and scalable to your organization. Please contact us at cap@thecell.org for more information.
CAP at the Exhibit

Join our efforts and become a CHAMPION FOR SAFETY for your community. We periodically offer CAP training sessions at the CELL Exhibit, where participants interact with our newly redesigned exhibit while building key skills in situational awareness and response. Those who complete the training are better prepared to help prevent crime and enhance community safety.
Check our Events page for up-to-date information on upcoming CAP training sessions.
Join our efforts and become a CHAMPION FOR SAFETY for your community. We periodically offer CAP training sessions at the CELL Exhibit, where participants interact with our newly redesigned exhibit while building key skills in situational awareness and response. Those who complete the training are better prepared to help prevent crime and enhance community safety.
Community CAP trainings start at $5 per person. Contact us at CAP@theCELL.org for booking and pricing.
Check our Events page for up-to-date information on upcoming CAP training sessions.

The CAP in Action
The CAP has been implemented by numerous organizations in Colorado and around the country.
55 municipalities (and counting) currently supplement their safety initiatives by empowering their citizens with CAP training. Some key constituents include:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- NORAD/USNORTHCOM
- U.S. Border Patrol
- U.S. Postal Service
- Colorado Department of Public Safety
- Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
- Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC)
- Colorado National Guard
- Colorado State Patrol
- Arizona Department of Homeland Security
- Arizona Counterterrorism Information Center (ACTIC)
- Phoenix Police Department
- Arizona Army National Guard
- Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
- Minneapolis Police Department
- Minnesota State Patrol
- Aurora Police Department
- Denver Police Department
- Utah Department of Public Safety
- Utah Highway Patrol
- Utah Statewide Information & Analysis Center (SIAC)
- Central Florida Intelligence Exchange (CFIX)
- Jefferson County School District
- Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
- Douglas County Sheriff’s Department
- Douglas County School District
- Nebraska Information Analysis Center (NIAC)
- Nebraska State Patrol
- New York State Intelligence Center (NYSIC)
- Denver 911
- Adams County Office of Emergency Management
- Adams County Sheriff’s Office
- AdCom911
- Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
- Aspen Police Department
- Aurora Fire Department
- Aurora Municipal Probation
- Aurora Public Safety Comms. Center
- Aurora Water
- Big Lake Police Department
- Blaine Police Department
- Bloomington Police Department
- Brooklyn Center Police Department
- Brooklyn Park Police Department
- Boulder Police Department
- Brighton Police Department
- Capitol Security
- Castlerock Police Department
- Chandler Police Department
- Colorado Department of Corrections
- Colorado Department of Revenue
- Colorado Department of Transportation
- Colorado Office of the Attorney General
- Colorado Secretary of State
- Colorado Springs Police Department
- Colorado State Office of Preparedness
- Consul General of Canada, Denver Office
- Colorado State University
- Columbia Heights Police Department
- Community College of Aurora
- Community College of Denver
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Coon Rapids Police Department
- Cottage Grove Public Safety Department
- Crystal Police Department
- Dawson/Boyd Police Department
- Deerwood Police Department
- Denver Fire Department
- Denver Mayor’s Office
- Denver Public Schools
- Denver Sheriff Department
- Denver Water
- Dolores Fire Department
- Duluth Police Department
- Eagle County School District
- Eagle County Sheriff’s Office
- Eden Prairie Police Department
- Edina Police Department
- Ely Police Department
- Elbert County Sheriff’s Department
- Englewood Police Department
- Estes Park Police Department
- Foley Police Department
- Fort Collins Police Department
- Fridley Police Department
- Golden Valley Police Department
- Frederick Police Department
- Glendale Police Department
- Glenwood Springs Fire Department
- Golden Police Department
- Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
- Hermantown Police Department
- Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Academy
- Hill City Police Department
- Hopkins Police Department
- Hutchinson Police Department
- JeffCom911
- Jefferson County Schools Transportation & Fleet Services
- Jefferson County District Attorney Office
- Lakeville Police Department
- Lakewood Police Department
- Larimer County Sheriff’s Office
- Mankato Police Department
- Maple Grove Police Department
- Mesa County Sheriff’s Office
- Metropolitan State University
- Metro Transit Police Department
- Minnetonka Police Department
- National Park Service
- New Brighton Police Department
- New Hope Police Department
- Northglenn Police Department
- Oakdale Police Department
- Plymouth Police Department
- Parker Police Department
- Peoria Police Department
- Phoenix Fire Department
- Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office
- Poudre Fire Authority
- Poudre School District
- Richfield Police Department
- Rifle Police Department
- Riorico Fire Department
- Rochester Police Department
- Rogers Police Department
- Royalton Police Department
- Sable Altura Fire Rescue
- Saint Anthony Police Department
- San Luis Police Department
- Sauk Centre Police Department
- Sauk Rapids Police Department
- Scottsdale Police Department
- Sheridan Police Department
- Slayton Police Department
- St. Cloud Police Department
- St. Louis Park Police Department
- St. Paul Police Department
- St. Vrain Valley School District
- Summit County Sheriff’s Office
- Surprise Police Department
- Tempe Police Department
- Thornton Police Department
- University of Minnesota Police Department
- Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)
- U.S. Mint Police
- Vail Fire Department
- Vail Police Department
- Warren Tech
- Westminster Police Department
- Wheat Ridge Police Department
- White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue Woodbury Police Department
The CELL’s tailored CAP training is scalable to help protect people at any size venue or event. The CAP has been implemented at some of the greatest events in politics, sporting and entertainment, including:
- Superbowl LII
- Major League Baseball All-Star Game
- Indianapolis 500
- FIS Alpine World Ski Championships
- ESPN Winter X Games
- NCAA Final Four
- U.S. Bank Stadium, Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
- Empower Field at Mile High, Denver Broncos (NFL)
- Coors Field, Colorado Rockies (MLB)
- Target Field, Minnesota Twins (MLB)
- Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
- Colorado Classic Circuit
- Colorado Rapids (MLS)
- Denver Nuggets (NBA)
- Audi Beaver Creek Birds of Prey World Cup
- Kroenke Sports Entertainment
- Colfax Marathon
- Ball Arena
- BOLDERBoulder 10K
- Bravo! Vail Music Festival
- Denver Performing Arts Complex
- Denver PrideFest
- Minneapolis Convention Center
- Republican National Convention
- Tour of Utah
- Twin Cities Pride
- USA Pro Challenge
The CAP brings everyday citizens together with law enforcement and safety officials, building trust and teamwork. Communities, private sector organizations and non-profit organizations who have adopted the CAP include:
- Minnesota Super Bowl LVII Host Committee
- Vail Resorts
- Xcel Energy
- Advantage Security, Inc.
- Allied Universal Security Services
- ASIS International
- Denver International Airport
- Securitas Security
- Argus Security
- HSS Security Services
- LGBTQ Community Center of Colorado
- Lockheed Martin
- DigitalGlobe, Inc./Maxar Technologies
- Mall of America
- First Bank
- Faith Bible Chapel
- Scouts BSA
- Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
- Sage Hospitality Group
- Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center
- University of Denver
- The Denver Post
- American Red Cross, Mile High Chapter
- Aish Denver
- Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado
- Assumption of the Thotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral
- Auraria Higher Education Center
- Aurora Citizen Police Academy
- Aurora Community of Faith
- Aurora Defense Council
- Aurora Police Explorers Post
- Aurora Police Volunteers
- Centura Health
- Cherry Creek Shopping Center
- Civil Air Patrol
- Colorado Concern
- Colorado Association of Code Officials
- Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership (CEPP)
- Colorado Rangers
- Colorado School of Mines
- Colorado Springs Utilities
- Colorado Technical University
- Congressional Hebrew Educational Alliance of Denver
- Copper Mountain Resort
- Denver Business Improvement District (BID)
- Denver Citizen Police Academy
- Denver Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Denver FBI Citizen Academy Alumni Association
- Denver League of Women Voters
- Denver Public Library
- Denver West High School JROTC
- Downtown Denver Partnership
- Encounter Church
- Englewood Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Fort Collins Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Fort Collins Citizens Police Academy
- Four Winds Interactive
- Guardsmark
- Girl Scouts of America
- Heritage Eagle Bend
- Horizons at Colorado Academy
- JC Penney
- Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Safety in Faith Coalition
- JEWISHcolorado
- Johnson & Wales University
- Key Bank
- Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Police Academy
- Law Enforcement Explorer Post Advisor’s Association of Colorado
- Littleton Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Marilyn Hickey Ministries
- Meet Minneapolis, Convention & Visitor’s Association
- Medical Center of Aurora
- Minneapolis Downtown Business Improvement District (BID)
- Mount Olive Lutheran Church
- National Homeland Security Defense Foundation
- N-40 Mountain Alliance
- Officer’s Christian Fellowship
- Otero Junior College Law Enforcement Academy
- Parker Citizen Police Academy
- Parker Police Explorers Post
- Pikes Peak Christian Church
- Regis University
- Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
- SP+ Parking
- Temple Emanuel
- The Colorado Thirty Group
- Thornton Citizen Police Academy
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
- Vail Valley Foundation
- Vectra Bank
- Westwoods Community Church
- Wheat Ridge Citizen Police Academy
- Wyoming Equality
- Young Presidents’ Organization
- Zions Bancorporation
- 5D Shield Security
55 municipalities (and counting) currently supplement their safety initiatives by empowering their citizens with CAP training. Some key constituents include:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- NORAD/USNORTHCOM
- U.S. Border Patrol
- U.S. Postal Service
- Colorado Department of Public Safety
- Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
- Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC)
- Colorado National Guard
- Colorado State Patrol
- Arizona Department of Homeland Security
- Arizona Counterterrorism Information Center (ACTIC)
- Phoenix Police Department
- Arizona Army National Guard
- Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
- Minneapolis Police Department
- Minnesota State Patrol
- Aurora Police Department
- Denver Police Department
- Utah Department of Public Safety
- Utah Highway Patrol
- Utah Statewide Information & Analysis Center (SIAC)
- Central Florida Intelligence Exchange (CFIX)
- Jefferson County School District
- Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
- Douglas County Sheriff’s Department
- Douglas County School District
- Nebraska Information Analysis Center (NIAC)
- Nebraska State Patrol
- New York State Intelligence Center (NYSIC)
- Denver 911
- Adams County Office of Emergency Management
- Adams County Sheriff’s Office
- AdCom911
- Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
- Aspen Police Department
- Aurora Fire Department
- Aurora Municipal Probation
- Aurora Public Safety Comms. Center
- Aurora Water
- Big Lake Police Department
- Blaine Police Department
- Bloomington Police Department
- Brooklyn Center Police Department
- Brooklyn Park Police Department
- Boulder Police Department
- Brighton Police Department
- Capitol Security
- Castlerock Police Department
- Chandler Police Department
- Colorado Department of Corrections
- Colorado Department of Revenue
- Colorado Department of Transportation
- Colorado Office of the Attorney General
- Colorado Secretary of State
- Colorado Springs Police Department
- Colorado State Office of Preparedness
- Consul General of Canada, Denver Office
- Colorado State University
- Columbia Heights Police Department
- Community College of Aurora
- Community College of Denver
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Coon Rapids Police Department
- Cottage Grove Public Safety Department
- Crystal Police Department
- Dawson/Boyd Police Department
- Deerwood Police Department
- Denver Fire Department
- Denver Mayor’s Office
- Denver Public Schools
- Denver Sheriff Department
- Denver Water
- Dolores Fire Department
- Duluth Police Department
- Eagle County School District
- Eagle County Sheriff’s Office
- Eden Prairie Police Department
- Edina Police Department
- Ely Police Department
- Elbert County Sheriff’s Department
- Englewood Police Department
- Estes Park Police Department
- Foley Police Department
- Fort Collins Police Department
- Fridley Police Department
- Golden Valley Police Department
- Frederick Police Department
- Glendale Police Department
- Glenwood Springs Fire Department
- Golden Police Department
- Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
- Hermantown Police Department
- Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Academy
- Hill City Police Department
- Hopkins Police Department
- Hutchinson Police Department
- JeffCom911
- Jefferson County Schools Transportation & Fleet Services
- Jefferson County District Attorney Office
- Lakeville Police Department
- Lakewood Police Department
- Larimer County Sheriff’s Office
- Mankato Police Department
- Maple Grove Police Department
- Mesa County Sheriff’s Office
- Metropolitan State University
- Metro Transit Police Department
- Minnetonka Police Department
- National Park Service
- New Brighton Police Department
- New Hope Police Department
- Northglenn Police Department
- Oakdale Police Department
- Plymouth Police Department
- Parker Police Department
- Peoria Police Department
- Phoenix Fire Department
- Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office
- Poudre Fire Authority
- Poudre School District
- Richfield Police Department
- Rifle Police Department
- Riorico Fire Department
- Rochester Police Department
- Rogers Police Department
- Royalton Police Department
- Sable Altura Fire Rescue
- Saint Anthony Police Department
- San Luis Police Department
- Sauk Centre Police Department
- Sauk Rapids Police Department
- Scottsdale Police Department
- Sheridan Police Department
- Slayton Police Department
- St. Cloud Police Department
- St. Louis Park Police Department
- St. Paul Police Department
- St. Vrain Valley School District
- Summit County Sheriff’s Office
- Surprise Police Department
- Tempe Police Department
- Thornton Police Department
- University of Minnesota Police Department
- Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)
- U.S. Mint Police
- Vail Fire Department
- Vail Police Department
- Warren Tech
- Westminster Police Department
- Wheat Ridge Police Department
- White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue Woodbury Police Department
The CELL’s tailored CAP training is scalable to help protect people at any size venue or event. The CAP has been implemented at some of the greatest events in politics, sporting and entertainment, including:
- Super Bowl LVII
- Super Bowl LII
- Major League Baseball All-Star Game
- Indianapolis 500
- FIS Alpine World Ski Championships
- ESPN Winter X Games
- NCAA Final Four
- U.S. Bank Stadium, Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
- Empower Field at Mile High, Denver Broncos (NFL)
- Coors Field, Colorado Rockies (MLB)
- Target Field, Minnesota Twins (MLB)
- Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
- Colorado Classic Circuit
- Colorado Rapids (MLS)
- Denver Nuggets (NBA)
- Audi Beaver Creek Birds of Prey World Cup
- Kroenke Sports Entertainment
- Colfax Marathon
- Ball Arena
- BOLDERBoulder 10K
- Bravo! Vail Music Festival
- Denver Performing Arts Complex
- Denver PrideFest
- Minneapolis Convention Center
- Republican National Convention
- Tour of Utah
- Twin Cities Pride
- USA Pro Challenge
The CAP brings everyday citizens together with law enforcement and safety officials, building trust and teamwork. Communities, private sector organizations and non-profit organizations who have adopted the CAP include:
- Minnesota Super Bowl LVII Host Committee
- Vail Resorts
- Xcel Energy
- Advantage Security, Inc.
- Allied Universal Security Services
- ASIS International
- Denver International Airport
- Securitas Security
- Argus Security
- HSS Security Services
- LGBTQ Community Center of Colorado
- Lockheed Martin
- DigitalGlobe, Inc./Maxar Technologies
- Mall of America
- First Bank
- Faith Bible Chapel
- Scouts BSA
- Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
- Sage Hospitality Group
- Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center
- University of Denver
- The Denver Post
- American Red Cross, Mile High Chapter
- Aish Denver
- Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado
- Assumption of the Thotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral
- Auraria Higher Education Center
- Aurora Citizen Police Academy
- Aurora Community of Faith
- Aurora Defense Council
- Aurora Police Explorers Post
- Aurora Police Volunteers
- Centura Health
- Cherry Creek Shopping Center
- Civil Air Patrol
- Colorado Concern
- Colorado Association of Code Officials
- Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership (CEPP)
- Colorado Rangers
- Colorado School of Mines
- Colorado Springs Utilities
- Colorado Technical University
- Congressional Hebrew Educational Alliance of Denver
- Copper Mountain Resort
- Denver Business Improvement District (BID)
- Denver Citizen Police Academy
- Denver Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Denver FBI Citizen Academy Alumni Association
- Denver League of Women Voters
- Denver Public Library
- Denver West High School JROTC
- Downtown Denver Partnership
- Encounter Church
- Englewood Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Fort Collins Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Fort Collins Citizens Police Academy
- Four Winds Interactive
- Guardsmark
- Girl Scouts of America
- Heritage Eagle Bend
- Horizons at Colorado Academy
- JC Penney
- Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Safety in Faith Coalition
- JEWISHcolorado
- Johnson & Wales University
- Key Bank
- Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Police Academy
- Law Enforcement Explorer Post Advisor’s Association of Colorado
- Littleton Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Marilyn Hickey Ministries
- Meet Minneapolis, Convention & Visitor’s Association
- Medical Center of Aurora
- Minneapolis Downtown Business Improvement District (BID)
- Mount Olive Lutheran Church
- National Homeland Security Defense Foundation
- N-40 Mountain Alliance
- Officer’s Christian Fellowship
- Otero Junior College Law Enforcement Academy
- Parker Citizen Police Academy
- Parker Police Explorers Post
- Pikes Peak Christian Church
- Regis University
- Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
- SP+ Parking
- Temple Emanuel
- The Colorado Thirty Group
- Thornton Citizen Police Academy
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
- Vail Valley Foundation
- Vectra Bank
- Westwoods Community Church
- Wheat Ridge Citizen Police Academy
- Wyoming Equality
- Young Presidents’ Organization
- Zions Bancorporation
- 5D Shield Security
Discover how you can help promote a collaborative, positive approach to public safety in your community. Take the first step and contact us at the CELL.
Accreditations, Certifications
and Awards
The CAP is SAFETY Act Certified as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology (QATT) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and was recently awarded the Leadership in the Prevention of Terrorism Award by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). It is a qualified course through the DHS National Training and Exercise Division (NTED) and has met the necessary requirements for Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification. Additional recognition and awards include:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual & Community Preparedness Award for Innovative Training and Education Programs
- FEMA Office of Protection and National Preparedness Vetted and Approved
- DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Vetted and Approved
- DHS/Department of Justice (DOJ) Best Practice
- IACP Outstanding Community Policing Award
- Telly Award Winner: 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018 for Recognizing the Signs Video
- Featured nationally as a Fusion Center best practice by DHS and DOJ through the Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS) program

Training Portal
Are you participating in an online CAP training? Click the link below to access our Online Training Portal, where you’ll find important CAP resources and documents.
Join Our Efforts
The CELL is the recipient of a 3-year federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant through the Department of Justice. We need your agency’s help to bring an updated CAP curriculum to 100,000 people across the country!
The CELL’s updated CAP content needs to be developed into an engaging online training through gamification and interactive elements. The developed training then needs to be hosted on an LMS platform to widely disseminate the program. The developed CAP trainings will ideally run 30 to 45 minutes, with overall program completion time being no longer than an hour.
The objectives of this project are:
- Education of 100,000 people through the CAP trainings in a 24-month period
- Gamification of the CAP content in a pedagogically-sound manner to make it engaging for participants
- Hosting of the CAP trainings on an LMS capable of withstanding traffic of 100,000 individuals over 24 months
- Ease of access for participants taking the CAP training and the CELL staff administering it
- Ease of access for CELL staff to track registrant information and training results
The updated CAP curriculum will include a 6–8-minute educational video, written curriculum, and an online training via LMS platform with gamification and interactive elements. The full CAP training will ideally be 30 to 45 minutes with overall program completion time being no longer than an hour.
The objectives of this project are:
- Script writing for the training video
- Writing support for the development of the online training