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It is gratifying that after all our hard work and with the unwavering support of our members, the Colorado General Assembly passed several pieces of legislation to protect what fire districts have and secure what fire districts need.
There are two key pieces of legislation that were signed on Monday, Nov 20 by Governor Polis, which directly impact the Colorado fire service and the more than 250 fire protection districts in our state:
SB23B-001 (2023 Property Tax Relief) authorizes priority backfill for schools and fire protection districts to receive 100% backfill and sets aside $200M for that purpose. CSFC estimates it will take at least $30 million to make all fire districts 100% whole.
HB23B-1003 (Commission on Property Tax) created a Commission to address long term property tax relief and provides for CSFC to appoint a fire chief from a fire protection district to the Commission.
These huge successes are, in a very large measure, due to the quick responses from many fire chiefs across Colorado reaching out to contact their legislators every time CSFC asked for help. This was especially important on Sunday afternoon when we called or texted many chiefs for immediate action contacting specific legislators urging rapid passage of SB-01. CSFC worked in close coordination with CPFF, SDA and other local government partners to secure the passage of SB-01.
Thankfully, our legislators heard us, and we want to make sure they know how much we appreciate it. We will send out one more Action Alert with the names and contact information for the Senators and Representatives who sponsored and shepherded these key pieces of legislation for our districts. In the meantime, we ask that you compose an appreciative email to them as well as write a post for your FPD’s Facebook page and Twitter to use as soon as the next Action Alert is received.
“These tremendous accomplishments could not have happened without the engagement and support of so many CSFC members; the hours and hours spent by the CSFC Executive Committee before and during the Special Session (Chiefs Brad White, Bob Olme, Randy Royal & Dave DelVecchio); the knowledge and guidance of our lobbying team from Meridian Affairs (Amanda Gall & Adeline Hodge); the incredible and insightful legal analysis of Emily Powell (Ireland Stapleton); the communications support of Karen Crummy (76 Group); the support from Camille Driver (SMFR’s lobbyist); the Action Alerts from Kate Ruhe (CSFC’s Marketing Director); the engagement of Garry Briese (CSFC’s Executive Director) and the excellent collaboration of CPFF’s David Foster, Dennis Eulberg & Steve Clapham; along with the cooperation and support from SDA and our other local government association partners,” noted CSFC President, Chief Kristy Olme.
The Navy and Marines use the term Bravo Zulu, also referred to as "BZ," to convey a message of "Well Done" regarding actions, operations, or performance.
To each of you who stepped up to help every fire protection district in Colorado…Bravo Zulu and thank you!
Chief Kristy Olme, President
Colorado State Fire Chiefs
North-West Fire Protection District (Park County)
970-485-2353 c
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