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. This program is designed to help 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.
Application Information
Note: The 2020 Volunteer Firefighter Pension (VFP) State Contribution application opening date is delayed, as we are in the process of enhancing the online application portal. We anticipate the portal will be open for applications on Friday, October 30th. Keep an eye on this website for updates. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Applications from eligible entities (see "Eligibility") are accepted annually from September 1 - October 31, to request a state match based on the entity tax contribution as described above.
The VFP online application will be available via the "Apply and Manage Application" button below during the application period.
Please contact program staff if you have questions, contact information is below.
Forms and Resources
Eligibility
- 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 dep’t 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 10 years.
- Contributed tax revenue to the volunteer firefighter pension fund in the year prior to the application year.
Distributions
| Year | Amount Contributed |
Pensions Funded |
| 2019 | $4,265,444 | 215 |
| 2018 | $4,201,417 | 212 |
| 2017 | $4,351,123 | 221 |
| 2016 | $4,202,791 | 220 |
| 2015 | $4,116,022 | 220 |
| 2014 | $4,170,673 | 222 |
| 2013 | $4,096,705 | 225 |
| 2012 | $4,175,447 | 224 |
| 2011 | $4,363,192 | 225 |
| 2010 | $4,281,892 | 224 |
| 2009 | $4,222,528 | 225 |
| 2008 | $4,009,590 | 221 |
| 2007 | $4,025,790 | 224 |
| 2006 | $3,925,067 | 227 |
| 2005 | $3,734,097 | 220 |
Accidental Death & Disability Insurance
The state has contracted with IMA of Colorado, Inc. 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, Dorothy Stevens at (303)534-7506 or dorothy.stevens@imacorp.com.
Program Contacts
Leslie Jones
Program Manager
(303) 864-7735
leslie.jones@state.co.us
Kristen Barger
Program Assistant
kristen.barger@state.co.us