What Is Lookout Alert? Jefferson County's Emergency Notification System Explained
When a wildfire breaks out west of your neighborhood, a winter storm closes the canyons, or a missing child is reported nearby, every second matters. Lookout Alert is the system Jefferson County uses to get that information to you fast — by phone, text, and email — wherever you are.
If you haven't signed up yet, this guide walks through what Lookout Alert is, what kinds of alerts it sends, and how to register in about five minutes.
What Lookout Alert Is
Lookout Alert is Jefferson County's free emergency notification system. It's administered by Jeffcom 911, the regional emergency communications center, and is used by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the Office of Emergency
Management, fire agencies, and other regional partners to push location-specific alerts to residents.
When you register, you choose:
- The address(es) you want alerts for — home, work, a relative's home, or any combination
- The notification methods you prefer — voice call, SMS, and/or email
- The types of alerts you want to receive
You only get alerts that affect the addresses you registered, so a flood warning in north Jeffco won't wake you up at 2 a.m. if you live in Conifer.
What Kinds of Alerts You'll Receive
Lookout Alert is used for time-sensitive public-safety events, including:
- Wildfire and evacuation orders — pre-evacuation, evacuation, and shelter-in-place notices
- Severe weather — tornado warnings, flash floods, blizzards, extreme heat
- Missing persons — AMBER Alerts for children and Silver Alerts for at-risk adults
- Public-safety operations — barricaded subjects, large-scale police activity in a specific area
- Infrastructure emergencies — water main breaks, gas leaks, hazardous-materials incidents
Routine traffic, road work, and minor incidents are not sent through Lookout Alert. The system is reserved for events that require residents to take action.
How to Sign Up
- Registration is free and takes about five minutes.
- Sign up online: Register for Lookout Alert (opens in new tab)
- Sign up by text: Text the word LookoutAlert to 67283. You'll receive a link to complete registration.
When you register, you'll create a free Smart911 Safety Profile. The profile is optional but useful — if you ever call 911, dispatchers can see any information you've chosen to share (medical conditions, household members, pets, accessibility needs) to send the right response, faster.
You can update or unsubscribe at any time from the same portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lookout Alert free?
Yes. Registration and alerts are free. Standard SMS and call rates from your phone carrier may apply.
Do I have to be a homeowner to sign up?
No. Renters, visitors, and anyone with an address in Jefferson County can register.
Can I sign up if I work in Jefferson County but live elsewhere?
Yes. You can register any address — work, home, or family — to receive alerts for those locations.
How many alerts will I get?
Most residents receive only a handful of alerts per year. The system is reserved for emergencies. Frequency depends on your address and the alert types you select.
What if I already had CodeRED?
CodeRED was replaced by Lookout Alert in 2022. If you registered for CodeRED, you'll need to register again with Lookout Alert.
Where do I check active alerts?
Active alerts are posted at jeffcom911co.gov/activealerts. For ongoing emergencies, the Sheriff's Office also posts updates on our news page and social media.
Why It Matters
In a fast-moving wildfire or severe weather event, getting the right information to the right people within minutes can be the difference between a smooth evacuation and a dangerous one. Lookout Alert is the most direct way
Jefferson County reaches residents during an emergency — but only if you're signed up. Take five minutes today.