Center of Excellence Delivers Donuts to Rifle PD with Robotic Dog and Drone to Celebrate National Donut Day

RIFLE, COLO. — (June 6, 2025) — The Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting (CoE) collaborated with the Rifle Police Department (RPD) to celebrate National Donut Day in a unique manner. To commemorate this sweet occasion, the CoE employed a robotic dog named Lucky to deliver donuts to the RPD using a drone.

This creative demonstration highlights the importance of advanced technologies in the public safety sector while providing a delightful treat. Lucky was equipped with a specially designed 3D-printed harness that allowed him to carry the donuts. With more than a dozen glazed donuts secured on his back, Lucky successfully delivered the treats to the officers on duty at the Rifle Police Department.

"Our passion is to leverage technology to discover new and improved methods for enhancing all aspects of the public safety industry. As technology continuously evolves, we are excited to show how it can positively impact public safety efforts in a sweet and engaging way," said Dana Way, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting. "Today, we have combined advanced technology with National Donut Day to highlight how innovation is shaping the future of public safety and to collaborate on a project that improves all of our skills."

Rifle Police Department is taking the lead in utilizing advanced technologies, such as drones, for public safety operations. Drones, robotic technologies, and other cutting-edge systems are becoming increasingly vital for providing real-time situational awareness, enhancing public safety efforts, and assisting emergency responders in complex situations.

"The use of drones has become an essential part of our operations with the recent formation of our drone team. This collaboration playfully illustrates how technology can be used in innovative ways to support our officers and the community," said Lieutenant Mike Kuper at the Rifle Police Department. "We’ve already put the drone to work locating missing people, documenting and mapping crime scenes, and enhancing safety and situational awareness during parade routes. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this technology and to utilize it in ways that improve both safety and efficiency in our officers."

This joint initiative marks just the beginning of what is possible when public safety agencies embrace advanced technology. The Center of Excellence continues to support and develop cutting-edge systems that can enhance public safety operations across Colorado and beyond. To watch Lucky deliver donuts to the Rifle Police Department, follow the Center of Excellence on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

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About the Center of Excellence

Formed in 2014, the Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting is a research and development organization within the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, part of the Colorado Department of Public Safety. The Center of Excellence is dedicated to driving technological advancements to improve emergency response practices and influence innovation across public safety for the communities they serve. For more information, visit cofiretech.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

About the Rifle Police Department

The Rifle Police Department is committed to protecting and serving the citizens of Rifle, Colorado, with professionalism, integrity, and compassion. Through proactive community engagement, innovative policing strategies, and a dedication to public safety, RPD builds strong partnerships and enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and visit our city. For more information, visit rifleco.org or follow us on Facebook.

Media Contacts: 

Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting 

Dana Way 

Marketing and Communications Manager

C: (303) 217-0062

dana.way@state.co.us

Rifle Police Department 

Angela Mills

Public Information Officer

D: (970) 665-6500

C: (970) 852-1226

amills@rifleco.org