Bill to Support Local Fire Departments Passes House

DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to support local fire departments. HB25-1078, sponsored by Representatives Andy Boesenecker and Elizabeth Velasco, passed the House by a vote of 37-27.

“Local firefighters keep our communities safe, and this bill helps them make important upgrades to their facilities and equipment,” said Rep. Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Many firefighters cannot afford to live in the communities where they work, so we are working to create new, affordable housing options for firefighters.”  

“Many fire departments are in desperate need of new equipment to help them effectively protect our communities from destructive wildfires,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “Our legislation would create a sustainable funding stream to help our fire departments purchase new equipment, including trucks and drones, to keep Colorado communities safe.”

HB25-1078 will create a revolving loan program to provide interest-free loans to fire departments to help fund equipment, vehicle and facility upgrades. To create more affordable housing options for firefighters, this bill also helps spur the creation of housing projects specifically for firefighters by allowing the Treasurer to include housing bonds for these projects in the state’s investment portfolio. 

This legislation came from the interim Wildfire Matters Review Committee. Recent wildfires, including the Marshall Fire, Cameron Peak Fire, and East Troublesome Fire, have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage, displaced hundreds of Coloradans, and drastically changed landscapes. This legislation helps fire departments prepare for the next wildfire and keep our communities safe.