Rye Fire Protection District

10/13/2026

🚒 RYE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
BALLOT ISSUE 7B: HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST YOU?

We understand that property taxes are an important consideration for homeowners. We want residents to have the information they need to calculate exactly how the proposed Ballot Issue 7B mill levy increase would affect their property taxes.

Ballot Issue 7B proposes an increase of 11.652 mills for a period of 10 years.

🏡 STEP 1: FIND YOUR PROPERTY’S ASSESSED VALUE

1. Visit the Pueblo County Assessor’s property search website:
https://puebloco-search.gsacorp.io/
2. Search for your property using your address or parcel number.
3. Select your property from the search results.
4. Scroll down to the section labeled Current Values.
5. Find the line labeled Assessed Value.

⚠️ Important: Use your property’s Assessed Value, NOT its Full Market Value, Taxable Value, or School Assessed Value.

🧮 STEP 2: CALCULATE YOUR ANNUAL TAX INCREASE

Use this simple formula:

Assessed Value × 11.652 ÷ 1,000 = Annual Tax Increase

For example, if your property has an assessed value of $20,000:

$20,000 × 11.652 ÷ 1,000 = $233.04 per year

That equals approximately $19.42 per month.

STEP 3: UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MEANS

The proposed 11.652 mills would be added to the district’s existing property tax mill levy. This calculation represents only the additional taxes associated with Ballot Issue 7B, not your entire property tax bill.

The additional revenue would support emergency response staffing, fire protection, emergency medical and ambulance services, rescue operations, wildland firefighting, equipment, apparatus, and facility needs.

Our goal is to help every property owner understand the actual financial impact of Ballot Issue 7B before casting their vote.

Rye Fire Protection District is committed to providing factual information and transparency to the community we serve.

10/12/2026

🚨 PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE
RYE MOUNTAIN PARK
Rye Fire Protection District

⚠️ PLEASE RESPECT ALL CLOSED AREAS AND SAFETY BARRIERS ⚠️

Active mitigation work is currently underway at Rye Mountain Park. For the safety of park visitors and crews working in the area, we ask that everyone refrain from entering, walking through, or driving into any closed or restricted areas.

Crews are actively conducting mitigation operations involving:

🌲 Tree Cutting and Removal: Falling trees and limbs pose a serious risk of injury or death.

🚜 Heavy Equipment Operations: Large machinery is operating throughout the work areas, creating additional hazards for pedestrians and vehicles.

⚠️ Unpredictable Hazards: Work zones may contain unstable trees, falling debris, and other dangerous conditions.

These closures are in place for YOUR safety and the safety of the crews performing this important work.

Please obey all posted signs, barriers, and directions from personnel working on site. Do not move barricades or attempt to enter restricted areas, even if equipment is not actively operating.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as this important mitigation work continues to improve the safety of Rye Mountain Park and our surrounding community.

Stay Safe. Respect the Closures. Protect Our Crews.

🚒 Rye Fire Protection District

10/12/2026

🎃🔥 DON’T LET FIRE OR CARBON MONOXIDE BE THE SCARIEST THING THIS HALLOWEEN! 👻🚒

As Halloween approaches and temperatures begin to drop, Rye Fire Protection District wants to remind everyone to take a few minutes to make sure your home is safe for the winter months ahead!

With colder weather comes increased use of furnaces, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and space heaters. These heating sources can increase the risk of house fires and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

🚨 A FEW SIMPLE STEPS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

🔋 CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES!
Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as needed. If your alarms use replaceable batteries, make sure they are fresh and working.

🚨 TEST YOUR DETECTORS!
Press the test button on every smoke and CO alarm at least once a month. Replace smoke alarms after 10 years and CO alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

🔥 CHECK YOUR HEATING EQUIPMENT!
Have furnaces, fireplaces, chimneys, and wood-burning stoves inspected and serviced before winter use.

♨️ USE SPACE HEATERS SAFELY!
Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from furniture, curtains, bedding, and anything that can burn. Never leave them running unattended or while sleeping.

☠️ CARBON MONOXIDE IS THE SILENT KILLER!
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and potentially deadly. Make sure CO alarms are installed near sleeping areas and on each level of your home.

🎃 THIS HALLOWEEN, THE ONLY THING THAT SHOULD BE SCARY IS YOUR DECORATIONS!

A few minutes spent checking your alarms and heating equipment today could prevent a tragedy tomorrow.

🚒 Rye Fire Protection District
Protecting Our Community Through Every Season.

Stay Safe • Stay Warm • Stay Fire Smart! 🔥

10/10/2026

Voting Matters !!!!!! Make your vote count!

🚒 RYE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
BALLOT ISSUE 7B
MILL LEVY INCREASE FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES

Shall Rye Fire Protection District taxes be increased by $1,098,568.97 in the first full fiscal year, and by such amounts as may be generated annually thereafter, for a period of ten (10) years, by an increase of 11.652 mills in the District’s property tax mill levy?

Revenue from the increase would be used for general District purposes, including:

🔥 Increasing and maintaining emergency response staffing

🚑 Maintaining fire protection, emergency medical, ambulance, rescue, and wildland fire services

🚒 Purchasing, replacing, and maintaining fire apparatus, ambulances, emergency equipment, and firefighter protective equipment

🏠 Repairing, maintaining, and improving District fire stations and facilities

🛠️ Funding capital improvements and planned apparatus and equipment replacement

💰 Maintaining financial reserves for District operating and capital needs

The additional 11.652 mills would be authorized for 10 tax years, beginning with the 2026 property tax year, collected in 2027, and ending with the 2035 property tax year, collected in 2036.

After that, the authority to levy the additional 11.652 mills expires unless otherwise authorized by the registered electors of the District.

The measure would also authorize the District during this 10-year period to collect, retain, and spend the revenues generated by the tax increase, together with investment earnings, as a voter-approved revenue change under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution.

🗳️ YES / FOR
🗳️ NO / AGAINST

Send a message to learn more

10/07/2026

RYE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
IMPORTANT VOTER NOTICE: BALLOT ISSUE 7B

It has come to our attention that some voters within the Rye Fire Protection District may have received a separate ballot containing Ballot Issue 7B, in addition to their regular General Election ballot.

In preparation for this election, lists of registered electors and eligible property owners were used to compile the voter information submitted to the election office. We have since become aware that some individuals who are both registered voters and listed property owners may have received duplicate ballots.

The Rye Fire Protection District’s Designated Election Official (DEO) is actively working with the Pueblo County Elections Department to identify and address any duplicate ballots and ensure that all eligible votes are counted accurately and appropriately in accordance with Colorado election law.

Rye Fire Protection District is committed to transparency, election integrity, and ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to have their vote counted.

If you believe you have received duplicate ballots, please contact the Pueblo County Elections Department for guidance before submitting your ballots.

We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we work through this matter.

Rye Fire Protection District

Send a message to learn more

10/06/2026

🚨 THREE CALLS. AT THE SAME TIME. 🚨

Within the last two hours, Rye Fire Protection District received:

• A medical emergency in Rye
• A medical emergency in Colorado City
• A traffic accident with injuries on I-25 near Milepost 81

All three calls occurred simultaneously.

First, a huge shout-out and THANK YOU to Flight For Life Pueblo, AMR Pueblo, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, and the private citizens who stepped up to assist.

In a rural community like ours, neighbors helping neighbors matters. Without assistance from our emergency-service partners and community members, we simply could not have gotten help to everyone who called for it.

Today is another real-world example of why staffing is a critical issue for emergency services, especially a fire district covering an area as large as ours. Multiple emergencies don’t wait their turn.

And a HUGE thank you to the Rye Fire staff who responded to two of these three incidents without skipping a beat. Your professionalism, dedication, and willingness to answer the call make a difference every single day.

🚒🚑 Thank you to everyone who helped make sure our community was protected today.

10/05/2026

🚒 FIRE & EMS APPARATUS COSTS
2016 vs. 2026

In just 10 years, the cost of replacing emergency vehicles has climbed dramatically:

🚒 ENGINE / PUMPER
2016: $400K–$600K
2026: $1M–$1.3M

💧 WATER TENDER
2016: $250K–$350K
2026: $700K–$1.3M

🔥 TYPE 6 BRUSH TRUCK
2016: $100K–$175K
2026: $250K–$400K+

🚑 TYPE I 4x4 AMBULANCE
2016: $175K–$250K
2026: $350K–$500K+

⏱️ TYPICAL REPLACEMENT PLANNING
🚒 Engine: ~15 years frontline
💧 Tender: ~15 years
🔥 Type 6: ~10–15 years
🚑 Ambulance: ~7–10 years

🏠 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR DISTRICT

For a small fire protection district like ours, replacing even one vehicle is now a major capital expense. Our district has gone roughly 10 years without an increase in tax-based revenue, while the cost of the equipment we depend on has doubled or more in many cases.

And these prices don’t include all the radios, hose, SCBA, EMS equipment and rescue tools needed to put a new vehicle into service.

Planning for apparatus replacement isn’t about buying something new. It’s about making sure reliable equipment is ready when our community calls 911. 🚒🚑

10/05/2026

A Message from the Fire Chief

WHEN MINUTES COUNT!
STAFFING MATTERS!

Emergency medical service and ambulance transportation are the most frequently utilized services provided by Rye Fire Protection District.

Yesterday our crews responded to two medical emergencies almost simultaneously. This is a very common occurrence. While off duty I responded with an on-duty crew member to the second emergency to avoid a delay in service.

With only 3–4 firefighter/EMTs on duty each day, even one relatively small emergency can commit most or all of our available personnel and resources. A second 911 call may then require assistance from neighboring agencies, which, depending on availability and location, could mean a 30-minute or longer response.

Several Rye Fire employees, including the Fire Chief, live within the District and regularly respond while off duty when additional personnel are needed. While this helps reduce delays, off-duty personnel are not always available and cannot replace adequate daily staffing.

Our current budget only supports our existing staffing. The District has not had a tax-based revenue increase in approximately 10 years, while tax revenue has declined and the costs of personnel, fuel, medical supplies, equipment, insurance, and other essential services continue to rise.

Our personnel remain committed to providing the best emergency services possible with the resources available. Adequate staffing and sustainable funding are essential to ensuring we can continue to be there when our community calls 911.

Fire Chief
Rye Fire Protection District

09/29/2026

The Greenhorn Valley and 165 corridor will be on a flash flood warning for the next 3 days. Please be vigilant and plan accordingly! Power outages and extended travel times are expected. Please reach out to Rye Fire if you have any questions or needs. In EMERGENCY Call or Txt 911

09/28/2026

🚒 ONE DISTRICT. TWO COMMUNITIES. LIMITED STAFFING.
Did you know that Rye Fire Protection District currently operates with just 3–4 on-duty personnel per day?
Due to current staffing and budget limitations, the District can only staff one fire station, located in Colorado City, leaving the Rye station without dedicated on-duty personnel.
While our crews respond throughout the entire District, operating from a single staffed station means longer travel distances to emergencies in portions of our coverage area.
What would additional funding provide?
Increased funding would allow Rye Fire Protection District to:
Hire additional full-time personnel to adequately staff BOTH the Rye and Colorado City fire stations.
Remodel the existing Rye Fire Station to provide adequate living quarters, restrooms, sleeping areas, and essential facilities for on-duty personnel.
Improve geographic coverage and reduce travel distances to emergencies.
Increase our ability to respond to simultaneous emergency calls.
Provide a more sustainable staffing model for our growing communities.
Staffing a second station requires more than additional firefighters. The Rye station must also be renovated to safely and adequately accommodate personnel working extended shifts.
Our District serves approximately 9,000 residents across 250 square miles and three counties. Our goal is to have the personnel, facilities, and resources necessary to provide dependable emergency coverage throughout the entire District.
One District. Two Staffed Stations. Better Coverage for Our Communities.
Rye Fire Protection District 🚒
Serving the Greenhorn Valley and Beyond.

Send a message to learn more