FIRE CHIEFS SUPPORT SENATE BILL SB24-194
Locally funded Fire Districts represent nearly 70% of all fire departments across Colorado, protecting the lives and property of nearly 40% of Colorado's population. They are the frontline defense to emergencies and need support to remain fully funded in order to maintain facilities, apparatus, equipment, and highly trained personnel.
SB24-194 will provide Colorado's fire protection districts the opportunity to diversify annual revenue sources. The challenge has been continual property tax reductions while the cost of facilities and equipment continues to increase. Many FD's are unable to hire and maintain staffing, purchase new apparatus, or keep their firefighters in up-to-date protective equiment, all making it difficult to handle the continued increase in emergency calls.