By Jon Huang
The Falcon Fire Protection District held its monthly board meeting on Feb. 18 at the Falcon Fire Administration Building, located at 7030 Old Meridian Road. Attending were Joan Fritsche, attorney; Tom Kerby, vice president; Ray Hawkins, treasurer; James Reid, president; Dan Kupferer, assistant secretary; Steve Podoll, secretary; and Trent Harwig, chief.
Badge ceremony
Firefighters Jaxon Edwards and Jared Salisbury were sworn in by Trent Harwig.
January minutes
The board unanimously approved the January minutes.
Treasurer’s report
Harwig presented the financials through January 2025, representing 8.3% of the fiscal year. The general fund was at 1% of anticipated revenues. Total expenses were at 8% of expectations. The ambulance transport fund was at 4% of expected revenues, with total expenses also at 8% of expectations. The capital project fund had received 0% of expected revenues; anticipated transfers have yet to be executed. Total expenses were at 7% of expected. The rural water fund had no new activity. The board unanimously passed the report.
Staff reports
Deputy Chief Jeff Petersma presented photos of the recently purchased draft commander truck, which will be used for training, and the newly acquired ladder truck. Both are scheduled for delivery in June. No operations report was given.
Petersma also presented the emergency medical report. In January, there were 167 transports, with an average cash per trip of $689.26. Over the past 24 months, there have been 3,443 transports, with an average cash per trip of $662.29. The Medicaid supplement increased this figure to $860.60.
Lt. Curtis Kauffman presented the fire prevention report, noting five building inspections, four follow-up inspections, three partial/rough/fire finals and six electronic development application reviews conducted in January.
Real estate sale agreement with CST Metro LLC
Fritsche reviewed the district’s real estate sale agreement with CST Metro LLC to purchase property. The board sought clarification on the structural removals involved prior to closing and agreed to move up the next board meeting to April 8 to confirm details before the contract’s closing date on April 15. The board passed the measure 4-1, with Kupferer dissenting. His concern was that the seller listed in the agreement, CST Metro LLC, differed from the point of contact listed as Circle K, and this should be clarified before approval.
Resolution not to adopt 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code
Fritsche presented a resolution expressing concerns over the recent Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and the board’s decision not to adopt it. The resolution discussed how the map the state issued assessing fire risk in the Falcon district is inconsistent with the actual observed risk on the ground and should be corrected. Adoption should be delayed to avoid undue expenses for homeowners in the affected regions. It also addressed the unfunded nature of the mandate, which would lead to additional taxpayer expenses for the district to enforce it adequately. The board unanimously agreed to pass the measure.
