Pueblo West Firefighters Local 4765

10/19/2026

Here is some more information on our department in regard to the temporary 1% sales tax that is on the ballot this year as 6B to become permanent.

Understanding Pueblo West Fire Department Funding 🚒

Pueblo West Fire Department personnel are budgeted through two funding sources: the General Fund and the Fire Sales Tax Fund.

🟩 General Fund – Fire Stations 1 & 3
2026 Adopted Budget – Fire Personnel Expenses: $3,059,094

🟦 Fire Sales Tax Fund – Fire Station 2
2026 Adopted Budget – Fire Personnel Expenses: $2,404,223

Combined 2026 Fire Personnel Expenses: $5,463,317

🔥 These amounts represent personnel expenses, not salaries alone. Personnel expenses in the 2026 Adopted Budget include payroll expenses, payroll taxes and employee benefits.

The Fire Fact Sheet identifies positions budgeted and authorized through each funding source, with green representing the General Fund and blue representing the Fire Sales Tax Fund.

10/09/2026

Congratulations Brother Bob!!

Congratulations to Firefighter/Chaplain Robert Hernandez for being announced as the 2026 Firefighter of the Year by the Hundred Club of Pueblo.

Robert joined our department in August of 2004. He brought the department a unique skill set that we have used many times over and still do today as our department Chaplain. His skills as a firefighter grew each time we saw him in action. He maintained an enthusiasm to always learn, to teach and most importantly, to be one of the most caring individuals we could ask for in the department. Starting as a volunteer and soon becoming a valued part timer, he consistently worked a shift or two every week. Always ready to listen for callbacks when we needed extra personnel. Aside from his firefighting duties, this man who we affectionately call Brother Bob, was always willing to respond to assist families who were in need or encountering a personal crisis. His dedicated compassion for his fellow man didn't stop in the firehouse but spilled over into our community.

Brother Bob has been that person you can always call when you need anything extra for our department or in our community. He has taught rookie firefighters what it means to work here, shares his skills and his confidence with everyone he meets. We are proud of him and look forward to the enrichment he continues to bring to our department.

10/09/2026

📊 UNDERSTANDING LOCAL ISSUES: Fire Department Funding & Ballot Issue 6B

As Pueblo West residents prepare for the upcoming November election, the Pueblo West Metropolitan District is sharing factual background on how emergency fire services are funded and how local revenues compare to national standards.

🔍 How Is Pueblo West Fire Service Currently Funded?
Pueblo West Fire Department personnel & operating expenses are funded through two main revenue streams:

• Property Tax (General Fund): Contributes approximately $4.00 million annually toward fire protection.
• 1% Fire Protection Sales Tax (Ballot Issue 6A): Approved by voters in 2020, supports approximately $2.73 million in personnel and operating expenses in 2026.
• Combined 2026 Operating Budget: Totaling $6.73 million.
• Long-Term Capital: The 1% Fire Protection Sales Tax generates on average a total of $3.90 million annually in revenue, which supports long-term capital projects and equipment for fire protection.

📈 How Does Pueblo West Compare to National Standards?
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) benchmarks evaluate the staffing, equipment, and response capabilities needed to serve growing communities:

• Full NFPA Operational Benchmark: Estimated at $10.24 million annually for a fully staffed 3-station career department.
• National Average Funding Zone (60% – 75%): Across the U.S., most fire departments of similar size operate within 60% to 75% of full NFPA standards rather than 100%.
• Current Pueblo West Level: With the combined property tax and 1% fire sales tax, actual 2026 funding covers 65.7% of the full benchmark—placing Pueblo West directly within the National Average Funding Zone.

🗳️ What Is Ballot Issue 6B?
Pueblo West voters are evaluating Ballot Issue 6B on the November ballot:

• What it asks: Whether to remove the scheduled December 31, 2030 expiration date on the existing 1% Fire Protection Sales Tax, making it permanent.
• Tax Rate: It does not raise the sales tax rate (remains at 1%).
• New Taxes: It does not create any new tax.

💬 Have Questions? We're Here to Help!

We encourage residents to review official financial documents and ask questions:
• Review District Financials & Tax Disclosures: https://www.pueblowestmetro.us
• Check Voter Registration & Sample Ballots: https://www.sos.state.co.us/voter/pages/pub/home.xhtml
• Sales and Property Taxes: https://www.pueblowestmetro.us/477/Sales-and-Property-Taxes

The Pueblo West Metropolitan District does not advocate for or against ballot measures. Data provided is for educational and informational purposes only.

10/01/2026

Thank you for coming out to see us and see how our department has changed over the years.

09/12/2026

All gave some, but some gave all. We remember the sacrifice that was made by the brave men and women 25 yrs ago.
#9/11 #343

09/06/2026

Come spend some time with us!!

Celebrate 50 years of service with the Pueblo West Fire Department! 🚒

Join us at Civic Center Park for a community open house celebrating five decades of the department’s history. Meet past and present staff, explore historical photos and displays, see fire apparatus up close, grab something from the food trucks, and enjoy games for the kids.

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
📍 Civic Center Park

Everyone is welcome to come out and help mark 50 years of service to Pueblo West!

08/31/2026

Join us as we celebrate 50 years of the Pueblo West Fire Department! 🚒🎉

Stop by Civic Center Park for an open house-style celebration featuring past and present fire department staff, photos and displays highlighting 50 years of history, fire apparatus on display, food trucks, kids’ games, and more.

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
⏰ 11 AM–6 PM
📍 Civic Center Park

Come celebrate this milestone with the Pueblo West community!

08/31/2026

08/07/2026

On June 29th our crews responded to a call for a man in cardiac arrest. After working seamlessly together our crews were able to achieve ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) on this patient and promptly transported him to the hospital. He was later discharged and is returning to his normal life. He was kind enough to come by and visit our crews with his family and brought this beautiful cake as a thank you. We are proud of our dedicated crews and their hard work and we are very excited this patient had such a good outcome. Thank you for coming by to see us!!

07/16/2026

Thank You Pueblo West!

A Message from Fire Chief Brian K. Caserta