Colorado is the birthplace of numerous inventions that have become everyday items. Some of these inventions include Otterbox phone cases, Crocs, and even the cheeseburger.

However, the newest invention to come out of Colorado comes from a high school student and its purpose relates to a sad reality faced by schools across the country in these modern times.

New Colorado Invention Designed for School Lockdowns

Get our free mobile app

Nicholas Dimercurio is a student at Mountain Vista High School in the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

CBS Colorado via YouTube
CBS Colorado via YouTube
loading...

A bright teenager with an even brighter future ahead, Dimercurio came up with the invention using a 3D printer in the school's computer lab.

CBS Colorado via YouTube
CBS Colorado via YouTube
loading...

In this day and age, it's common for high schools to have 3D printers for students to use, but another unfortunate reality for today's students is that lockdowns and active shooter drills have become commonplace as well.

CBS Colorado via YouTube
CBS Colorado via YouTube
loading...

The idea for the invention came from Mountain Vista's school resource officer, Jeff Cislo. Cislo approached Dimercurio with an idea for an invention that would allow officers to pass through doors that would normally be locked at all times with ease, during emergencies.

CBS Colorado via YouTube
CBS Colorado via YouTube
loading...

Dimercurio created numerous prototypes using the 3D printer before coming up with this horseshoe-shaped device that works precisely the way Cislo was hoping for.

CBS Colorado via YouTube
CBS Colorado via YouTube
loading...

In fact, the student's invention works so well that the Douglas County Sheriff's Office has already purchased enough to supply them to other officers within the district.

It's pretty likely that we'll be hearing from Dimercurio again, as not only has he created a rather ingenious product that will improve safety in schools, but he also plans to attend another school, Wichita State University, with hopes of becoming an electrical engineer.

[KDVR]

10 Awesome Things Invented in Colorado

Life is a little bit sweeter and whole lot simpler thanks to these inventions from Colorado: 

Colorado’s Self-Driving Lawnmower will Blow Your Mind

A Colorado company has built a self-driving lawnmower that may become available to landscapers across the country soon.

Check out the Headquarters of Colorado’s Otterbox Company

Take a look inside the headquarters of phone case company Otterbox, which has its origins and current location in Colorado.

More From Power 102.9 NoCo - KARS-FM