Donated vest to protect CPW K9 Sage during conservation and public safety work
A Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) working dog named Sage will receive a bullet- and stab-resistant vest through a national nonprofit's grant program, the agency announced October 29, 2026. The vest will help protect Sage as she and District Wildlife Officer Zachary Picard investigate wildlife crimes and support public safety work.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a nonprofit based in East Taunton, Massachusetts, will provide the vest. Barbara Chilton of Colorado Springs sponsored it. The vest will be embroidered with the message "In honor of K9 Roam, Colorado Springs." Delivery is expected within 10 weeks.
Sage and Picard work out of the CPW office in Lamar. They serve southeastern Colorado as part of the statewide K9 unit. Supervisor Ian Petkash leads the unit. After a successful pilot program, CPW is expanding its K9 program across Colorado.
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Petkash oversees recruiting and training for handlers and dogs. He coordinates support for CPW work statewide. He also handles requests for help from other law enforcement agencies. Petkash works with his own dog, K9 Samson, so he brings firsthand handler experience to the job.
"Working dogs have proven to be an invaluable tool for CPW, serving as ambassadors at education and outreach events, locating evidence in both poaching investigations and crimes against people, addressing bear conflict through aversive conditioning, and locating missing people," Petkash said.
"K9 Sage and Officer Picard have hit the ground running since joining CPW's K9 Pilot Program in 2024," Petkash said. "Sage is a fan favorite, and her enthusiasm is contagious!"
Sage is a black Labrador retriever. She has completed more than 890 hours of training. She holds wildlife detection certification through the National Police Canine Association. She also helps officers find evidence that people may have thrown away or hidden.
"Sage has been an invaluable addition to the Lamar team and is an exceptional partner in the field," Picard said. "Since joining the team, Sage has assisted with a variety of deployments, including helping local law enforcement search for firearms discarded in fields and working throughout active hunting seasons. Off duty, Sage enjoys her toys and time with my family's two other dogs."
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"Diverse environments and situations she encounters can be unpredictable, making her safety and protection incredibly important," Picard said. "Knowing Sage will soon have an added layer of protection while doing the work she loves gives me tremendous peace of mind."
According to Vested Interest in K9s, its vests are made in the United States. Each one is custom-fitted and certified by the National Institute of Justice. Each vest is valued at $1,800 and weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds. Each comes with a five-year warranty.
The 501(c)(3) charity was founded in 2009. It provides vests and other help to dogs working with law enforcement and related agencies nationwide. Tax-deductible private and corporate donations fund the program. Sponsoring one vest costs $1,050. The group reports it has provided more than 6,677 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states.
The program is open to dogs in the United States that are at least 20 months old. Dogs must be actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests may also qualify.
Across Colorado, CPW K9 teams use their sense of smell to find wildlife parts and kill sites that officers might miss. Handlers also add patrol coverage and help with investigations.
Through fieldwork and community outreach, K9 teams support the CPW mission to conserve wildlife, provide quality state parks and sustain outdoor recreation. They also help inspire care for Colorado's natural resources.
For more information about the vest program, visit www.vik9s.org.
