Pueblo West Fire Department

10/28/2026

🗳 Have questions about 2026 Ballot Issue 6B- Fire Protection Sales Tax?

Learn more and read the full ballot language on the Pueblo West Metropolitan District website: https://www.pueblowestmetro.us/1861/Fire-Protection-Sales-Tax-6B

Disclaimer: Pueblo West Metropolitan District does not advocate for or against ballot measures. Information provided is for educational purposes.

10/25/2026

What happens if Ballot Issue 6B - Fire Protection Sales Tax is approved? 🚒🗳️

The November 3 General Election ballot will ask Pueblo West voters whether the existing 1% Fire Protection Sales Tax should continue beyond its current expiration date in 2030.

If approved, the existing 1% tax would continue without an expiration date. The tax rate would remain at 1%. Revenue would remain restricted for fire protection purposes, including;

• Funding firefighters and staff at existing and/or future fire stations;
• Acquiring, replacing, and maintaining fire apparatus, equipment, and other capital needs to protect firefighters and respond to emergency calls; and
• Constructing, operating, maintaining, and improving fire department facilities and infrastructure

Find more information and read the ballot language here: https://www.pueblowestmetro.us/1861/Fire-Protection-Sales-Tax-6B

Get the facts. Know your ballot. 🗳

Disclaimer: The Pueblo West Metropolitan District does not advocate for or against any ballot measure. Information provided by the District regarding ballot issues is for educational purposes only.

10/24/2026

10/21/2026

BALLOT MEASURE 6B Fire Protection Sales Tax: BY THE NUMBERS 🔎

There are a few numbers to know when reviewing Pueblo West Metropolitan District’s 2026 Fire Protection Sales Tax ballot question:

1% → The existing Fire Protection Sales Tax rate. Ballot Measure 6B does not propose an increase to that rate.
2020 → The year Pueblo West voters approved the existing 1% Fire Protection Sales Tax.
2030 → When the existing voter-approved tax is currently scheduled to expire.
2026 → Ballot Measure 6B asks voters whether the existing 1% tax should continue beyond 2030 without an expiration date.

What stays the same?
✅ The 1% tax rate
✅ Revenue remains dedicated solely to fire protection purposes.

🤔 What would change?
The expiration date. The existing tax is scheduled to expire in 2030. The proposed measure would remove that expiration date.

📄 Learn more and review the ballot language here: https://www.pueblowestmetro.us/1861/Fire-Protection-Sales-Tax-6B

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not advocate for or against Ballot Measure 6B.

10/19/2026

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.

10/17/2026

Ballot Issue 6B asks voters whether the existing 1% Fire Protection Sales Tax should continue beyond its current expiration in 2030 without an expiration date.

Under the proposed measure, revenue would continue to be dedicated solely to fire protection purposes, including firefighter staffing, emergency response equipment, fire apparatus, and Fire Department facilities and infrastructure.

Want to learn more about Ballot Issue 6B? Visit the Pueblo West Metropolitan District website to review additional information and read the full ballot language: https://www.pueblowestmetro.us/1861/Fire-Protection-Sales-Tax-6B

Get the facts. Know your ballot. 🗳️

Disclaimer: Pueblo West Metro does not advocate for or against any ballot measures. Information provided is for educational and informational purposes only.

10/16/2026

September was another busy month for the Pueblo West Fire Department, with crews responding to a variety of calls throughout the community.

From medical emergencies to fire-related incidents, our firefighters and paramedics continue to provide dependable service while remaining ready 24 hours a day. 🚒

We appreciate the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our crews who work every day to help keep Pueblo West safe.

Learn more about the Pueblo West Fire Department:
https://pueblowestmetro.us/161/Fire-Department

10/14/2026

10/09/2026

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.

10/08/2026

📊 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.