This program helps local governments provide a retirement benefit to attract volunteers. All volunteer firefighting entities, which provide a volunteer firefighter pension, are eligible to receive a state match. The entities must contribute funds generated from taxes (property, sales, S.O., etc.) which the state will match based on a statutory calculation.
Who Should Apply
- Municipalities with a population under 100,000 that maintain a regularly organized volunteer fire department and that offer fire protection services
- Fire protection districts having volunteers and offering fire protection services
- County improvement districts having volunteer fire department members and offering fire protection services
- Counties contributing to a volunteer pension fund at one of the above
The eligible entities must have:
- Active, pension-eligible volunteer firefighters
- "Active volunteer": A volunteer firefighter shall maintain a minimum training participation in the fire department of 36 hours each year to qualify for benefits (31-30-1122(1)).
- "Pension-eligible": A retired volunteer firefighter who has served twenty years and is over 50 years of age is eligible for pension benefit. If the firefighter is not yet 50, they may take a leave of absence until they reach that age. The local board may decide to pay a retirement benefit with less than 20 years of service if the municipality/District is actuarially sound. No matter what, you’re not eligible for funds until after ten years.
- Contributed tax revenue to the volunteer firefighter pension fund in the year prior to the application year.
Calendar
The VFP calendar is a general listing of the deadlines and review process for the Volunteer Firefighter Pension program. Some deadlines are not statutory, but reflect good practices. For details on the applicable statutes listed below, please refer to the most current Colorado Revised Statutes (“C.R.S.”).
August 19, 2024 - Volunteer Firefighter Pension Overview Webinar
September 01, 2024 - Online portal opens for application submissions
October 31, 2024 - Application deadline to receive timely state contribution
November 15, 2024 - First distribution for eligible entities
December 18, 2024 - Second distribution for eligible entities
May 31, 2025 - Volunteer Firefighter Pension Program Year End
The Application Process
Applications from eligible entities (see "Who Should Apply") are accepted annually from September 1 - October 31, to request a state match based on the entity tax contribution as described above.
The Volunteer Firefighter Pension online application is available during the application period only.
Accidental Death and Disability Insurance
The state has contracted with Willis Towers Watson to provide Accidental Death and Disability Insurance for Colorado volunteer firefighters. Under this policy, all volunteer firefighters in the state of Colorado are covered for any on-duty activities, including travel to and from any event. For claims information, contact the Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company or the insurance broker, Julie Mileham at (303) 866-4277.
Forms and Resources
- Application Process
- Step by Step_ Images
- Frequently Asked Questions - Pension Fund and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- How to Create your Department of Local Government Portal Account
- Calculation Flowchart
- Senate Bill 14-024 concerning FPPA
- 2024 VFP Kickoff Webinar
Contact Information
Becky Saad
Program Manager - outgoing
303.864.7894
becky.saad@state.co.us
Harold Smith
Program Manager - incoming
303.864.8423
harold.smith@state.co.us
Claire Kreycik
Program Assistant
303.928.9453
claire.kreycik@state.co.us
As of July 1, 2004, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) became responsible for administering and disbursing the state contribution for state matching funds for the Volunteer Firefighter Pension Fund (VFP) state match program (CRS 31-30-1112). The Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) previously administered the program.
2023
Amount Contributed: $4,137,275
Pensions Funded: 202
2022
Amount Contributed: $4,284,734
Pensions Funded: 201
2021
Amount Contributed: $4,509,758
Pensions Funded: 209
2020
Amount Contributed: $4,317,686
Pensions Funded: 211
2019
Amount Contributed: $4,265,444
Pensions Funded: 215
2018
Amount Contributed: $4,201,417
Pensions Funded: 212
2017
Amount Contributed: $4,351,123
Pensions Funded: 221
2016
Amount Contributed: $4,202,791
Pensions Funded: 220
2015
Amount Contributed: $4,116,022
Pensions Funded: 220
2014
Amount Contributed: $4,170,673
Pensions Funded: 222
2013
Amount Contributed: $4,096,705
Pensions Funded: 225
2012
Amount Contributed: $4,175,447
Pensions Funded: 224
2011
Amount Contributed: $4,363,192
Pensions Funded: 225
2010
Amount Contributed: $4,281,892
Pensions Funded: 224
2009
Amount Contributed: $4,222,528
Pensions Funded: 225
2008
Amount Contributed: $4,009,590
Pensions Funded: 221
2007
Amount Contributed: $4,025,790
Pensions Funded: 224
2006
Amount Contributed: $3,925,067
Pensions Funded: 227
2005
Amount Contributed: $3,734,097
Pensions Funded: 220