GOLDEN GATE CANYON - The Golden Gate Fire Protection District Board dissolved its communications authority and continued the pursuit of a firm to perform an audit during a regular meeting on February 27, 2025.

Board members present were Deb Curlee, President; Marith Reheis, Secretary; Niffy Ovuworie, Vice-President and Treasurer; Steve Green; and Dave Primmer.

Primmer asked that a review of credit card statements be added to the agenda. He said that the Board was elected to keep track of expenses.

Ending Communications Authority

Reheis introduced a resolution to dissolve the Communications Authority. She said it has not functioned for many years.

The resolution stated that “The Board of Directors of the District has determined that the Communications Authority that previously provided radio communications for ours and other adjacent fire districts has not served that function for many years and was replaced by other means of dispatch.

“The Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Fire Protection District of Jefferson County, Colorado, believing that it is the last fire district still listed under this Authority, hereby dissolves the Communications Authority and declares any relation to this Authority to be null and void.”

The Board approved the resolution.

Future audit?

Ovuworie introduced the topic of audit expenses and moved that the District continue to explore conversations with auditors.

The District has not had an audit for seven years, he said, adding that it is about transparency and accountability. “Are we being a good steward?” he asked. The auditor he is pursuing would charge $5,000 for the service.

Ovuworie told the Board that he had found seven different firms. Some were too busy and one cost $18,000 to $22,000. Another was $8,400. Noting that he would like the Board to continue the conversation, he said he will bring it back to the Board.

Green voted nay, saying “Make me the point of contact.” The Board said that the treasurer is the point of contact, and the motion passed.

Reviewing credit card statements

Dave Primmer introduced a review of credit card statements for the District. He said he consulted authorities and there is no legal basis for keeping Board members from reviewing credit card statements.

Primmer pointed out that the District has had $5,000 in purchases from Amazon. The Board then made the credit card statements available. Curlee said they had redacted names and then found out they didn’t need to do that, so they unredacted them.

Primmer said he saw three months missing, while Reheis pointed out that she had 12 months in front of her.

Authorizing legal expenditures

Green introduced a resolution regarding legal expenditures. He said that he is “requesting transparency” and seeks approval of the Board to hire attorneys. “This vote should be on the agenda,” he added. He stated that $10,000 has been secretly spent. “Don’t hire attorneys without permission of the Board,” he directed.

According to the resolution, the Board of Directors of the Fire District prior to hiring or spending any district funds for attorneys or legal advice shall seek approval of the Board via affirmative Board vote at a GGFPD meeting open to the public with proper notice within the agenda stating the vote shall take place.

Three nays voted it down. Green said “It is on clear display.”

Ovuworie made a motion to allow the executive committee to consult legal on certain issues. The motion passed, with Primmer and Green voting nay.

Green introduced a resolution regarding plowing at Station 83 and demanded that the District “Stop blocking my driveway.”

Detailed Chief’s report

Chief Kyle Benson gave the Annual Report of the Fire District. He said the report is on the website. The District received 110 emergency calls, had 2,100 educational hours, has 25 total staff, and attended seven fires.

Benson’s letter to the Board stated “The Golden Gate Fire Protection District is dedicated to protecting our community from all hazards with compassion, professionalism, dedication, and integrity. In 2024, GGFPD firefighters continued to exemplify our Mission, Vision, and Values as they had been recreated in 2023.

“We have continued our commitment to our charge as an all hazards emergency response agency and brought new vigor to our intent to continue a community-centric approach as a wildland/urban interface fire agency facing the future. Every day, emergency or not, our firefighters and staff have continued to stand with pride knowing that these words embody our dedication to the fire service and the people we collectively serve.

“In many ways, 2024 was a landmark year for the Golden Gate Fire Protection District. Among our many accomplishments, GGFPD was successful in complete replacement of our aging structural personal protection equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus complement through the assistance of state grants.

“In training, GGFPD welcomed a new training chief, BC Lori Brill. The district hosted an internal Firefighter I and Hazmat Academy, graduating six fully certified firefighters. We additionally hosted a large inter-agency wildland fire training exercise as a capstone to wildland fire training and ensured that all GGFPD firefighters and recruits were certified as wildland firefighters.

“GGFPD also implemented the use of several new technologies this year. In a year long process, we migrated all our operational documentation to ESO which is far more comprehensive and user friendly than our previous solutions.

“We also began to implement Colorado’s Team Awareness Kit into our operations and assisted the Division of Fire Prevention and Control in the roll out of this free and revolutionary technology. Operationally, GGFPD experienced our largest wildland fire in over a decade with the Goltra Fire.

“This fire was incredibly complex, involving extreme terrain and unpredictable weather patterns. We benefited from the help of our many mutual aid partners from around the region, including resources from both the county and state.

“Our efforts were successful with the fire containment of just over 200 acres, no structures lost, and no firefighters or civilian injuries. We culminated the year with a successful recruitment for 2025’s probationary class and are proud to welcome seven new firefighters into our ranks, many of which come to us with previous certifications and training.

“While the district continues to contend with limited resources, we are successful because of the efforts of our highly motivated, professional, and compassionate volunteer workforce. Without our volunteers, whether they are Firefighters, EMTs, or support staff, GGFPD would be unable to provide the services that our community relies on.

“I am continually in awe and eternally thankful for their dedication to this district and the people we serve. 2024 was an exciting and progressive time for GGFPD. As we begin 2025, I enthusiastically look forward to what we can continue to accomplish together. It is my incredible privilege to serve this community, and I am pleased to present the 2024 Annual Report for the Golden Gate Fire Protection District.”

Operational details

In 2024, GGFPD emergency personnel responded to 110 calls for service. These included wildland, vehicle, and structure fires plus emergency medical and backcountry rescues.

Several 2024 operational advancements improved the District’s ability to respond to these diverse calls for service. These included the implementation of new Thermal Imaging Cameras to six apparatus, and a much-needed update to their aging fleet of SCBAs, air bottles, and facemasks.

With the assistance of the Golden Gate Auxiliary, the District was able to order two new UTVs to assist in backcountry rescue operations on both the north and the south side of the district. The UTVs will be placed into service in spring of 2025.

The District continues to foster positive relations with their partners in response, including many mutual-aid fire agencies, Stadium Medical, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Communications, and Jefferson County Open Space. These relationships are directly responsible for many successes in 2024 and will continue to thrive into 2025.

Monthly report

During his monthly report, Benson said they are on schedule for CWPP and continue to move forward. The final document is due in October and, he says, is “very eye opening.”

The District will host a community event on Monday, March 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This meeting will be structured to have no formal presentation, but rather to gather input on property and the needs of property.

The Board then convened an Executive Session for the second-year performance review of Chief Kociemba-Benson.

The next regular Board Meeting will be on March 27 at 7 p.m. at the Grange, 25231 Golden Gate Canyon Road.

On the website, notice is given that an election will be held on May 6, 2025, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. At that time, three directors will be elected to serve four-year terms.