In 2017 Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held an inclusion election asking Gilpin County residents who were not in a fire district if they would like to be included into TFPD. 75% of the eligible voters voted in favor.

As a result of this overwhelmingly successful ballot question, approximately 25 square miles were added to the district in the southwest area of Gilpin County. This includes: Upper and Lower Apex Valley Rd, Bald Mountain Rd, Virginia Canyon Rd, Alps Hill Rd, Russel Gulch, Missouri Flats, the Young Ranch, part of the Albert Frei & Sons Rock Quarry, Lake Gulch, and Hwy 119 from the Black Hawk city limit to the junction of Highway 6 and Highway 119.

Since the 2017 election, TFPD has been searching for property to build a new fire station that can better serve this new area. Most of the property in the area is comprised of mining claims, and as a result of this, obtaining 100% ownership can be difficult. Mining Claims are 150’ x 1500’, further complicating our ability to find a suitable location.

TFPD finally closed on the perfect piece of property in December 2021. The Woodbury Claim at 7561 Virginia Canyon Road was purchased from Robert and Anna Young. This location has great accessibility for area volunteers, perfect access to main roads, and is strategically located within five road miles of almost every property in the area.

We have already begun construction planning and have submitted a grant application to help with funding. We plan to build a 40-foot x 60-foot two bay station similar to our Station 8 at Golden Gate Canyon Road and Smith Hill Road, which was built in 2013. This design has proven to be cost effective and works very well for volunteer response. It will accommodate two fire trucks of any size.

Since the inclusion, TFPD has responded to 11 working fires in this area: one recreational vehicle (UTV) fire, three transient RV fires, and seven wildland fires, as well as dozens of medical calls. The completion of this new station will drop the ISO rating for Timberline residents in the area from a 10 to a 5. This may help some homeowners obtain, keep, or decrease the cost of homeowners insurance.

To find out more information about TFPD, check out their website at https://timberlinefpd.colorado.gov/.