Take a Rest, Good Boy: Longtime Colorado Arson Dog Retires

Colorado Fire officials and the governor celebrated the career of one of their most esteemed employees today, October 8, wishing him a retirement “full of treats, walks in Colorado’s iconic outdoors, long naps in the sun, and countless tummy rubs.”

That may sound like a dating profile for a Denver fireman, but the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and its Fire and Life Safety department were actually praising the consistent and dedicated service of K9 ROTC, a yellow-haired good boy who helped investigate nearly 200 fires over five years. ROTC (yes, that’s his name) was a fire investigator dog and an Accelerant Detection Canine for the state, largely used to investigate arson and collect evidence from burn scenes. According to the governor’s office, he and his golden schnoz had an accuracy rate of 94.2 percent.

Humans who worked with ROTC praised his attitude. Since 2020, ROTC has “been more than just an investigative partner — he has been a protector, a detective and a loyal friend to agencies across Colorado and to his handler, DFPC Fire Investigator Brian Eberle,” reads an announcement from the governor’s office, DFPC and Colorado Department of Public Safety.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who met and took pictures with ROTC in 2024 at the State Capitol, officially proclaimed October 8, 2025, as ROTC Retirement Day.

“Congratulations to ROTC on his five years of dedicated service to the State of Colorado. During his service, ROTC’s laser-trained nose helped investigate more than 180 fires, collecting evidence and holding arsonists accountable, with an accuracy rate of 94.2 percent, keeping Coloradans and our communities safe. The State of Colorado thanks ROTC for his service to the state and wishes him a restful retirement full of treats, walks in Colorado’s iconic outdoors, long naps in the sun, and countless tummy rubs,” Polis says in a statement.

Accelerant Detection Canine, or arson dogs, started appearing in Colorado fire investigation units in 1986, and becoming one is no joke. Puppies with high energy, a sense of smell and a willingness to obey commands are selected at a young age for rigorous and extensive training with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which oversees the national program. Arson dogs must be able to detect the presence of fire accelerants like gasoline, lighter fluid and other types of fuel, and discriminate those scents from other burn scene smells. Being able to display those detections to handlers is also an important factor, according to the ATF.

As one four-legged champion walks away, another is set to take his place. According to DFPC and the governor’s office, the state’s newest arson dog, K9 Waffle, is ready to step in and cook.

“We are deeply grateful for ROTC’s years of service and excited to welcome Waffle into the DFPC family,” DFPC Director Mike Morgan says. “Our K9 program not only strengthens fire investigations but also demonstrates the commitment we share with our partners to keep Colorado safe.”