Why is Deer Mountain Fire Protection District (DMFPD) proposing a mill levy increase?

Deer Mountain Fire Protection District is facing a critical funding crisis for emergency medical services (EMS). For years, the fire department has covered the cost of EMS out of its fire budget, but this is no longer sustainable. Reserves are depleted, and we cannot continue to fund EMS without threatening the stability of fire protection operations.

Compounding the situation, new state legislation—HB 24B-1001—has shifted funding away from local districts like ours. While the legislation benefits property owners through lower assessments and caps on assessed property values, it also impacts a key revenue source we’ve previously relied on, creating an immediate shortfall.

What is Colorado House Bill 24B-1001 (HB24B-1001) and how will it affect our fire department?

A new law passed in 2024 to slow the growth of property tax bills across Colorado.

Key Changes:

·       Lowers the residential assessment rate from 6.765% to 6.7%

·       Caps increases on assessed property values

·       Applies retroactively to 2024

·       No guaranteed backfill for fire districts

How it Impacts Deer Mountain Fire Protection District:

·       Less tax revenue from existing mill levy, even if home values increase.

What exactly is a mill levy?

A mill levy is a property tax rate applied to assessed property value (not market value). One mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Is it actual value or assessed value?

A mill levy is applied to your assessed value, not your home’s market or “actual” value.

How much will this increase cost me?

Approximately $47 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) property value.

Example: If your assessed value is $300,000, your estimated increase is about $141 annually—or less than $12/month. That is roughly one fast meal a month for an individual person.

How many mills are we asking for?

We are seeking a 6.9 mill levy increase for a total of 14.898 mills (current mill levy is 7.998). According to the County Assessor’s office this will bring in an additional $296,000 a year into the district commencing in the year 2026 and DMFPD will realize the funds in 2027.

Will the mill levy increase be dedicated funds for EMS?

Based on the recommendation of our legal counsel, the funds will not be dedicated funds, as such designation would necessitate new funding, a new budget, and oversight by a newly established governing board.

As per Colorado Revised Statutes Title 32. Special Districts § 32-1-1002. Fire protection districts—additional powers and duties—definitions, states “the board of any fire protection district has the following powers for and on behalf of the district: (c) To undertake and to operate as a part of the duties of the fire protection district an ambulance service, an emergency medical service, a rescue unit, and a diving and grappling service;”

As such we will be adding these services under the fire protection district’s plan.

Why Dedicating Mill Levy Funds Solely to EMS Is Not in the Best Interest of the District

There has been public discussion regarding dedicating or separating the proposed mill levy increase exclusively for EMS. While we understand the desire for transparency and accountability, doing so would not serve the best interests of the Deer Mountain Fire Protection District for several key reasons:

1.     Increased Operational Costs
Separating funds would require entirely separate financial systems, including bookkeeping, audits, and insurance policies. These duplicative administrative functions would significantly increase operating expenses and reduce funds available for direct emergency services.

2.     Shared Resources
EMS and Fire currently share vital infrastructure such as facilities, utilities, fuel, and equipment. Creating a financial separation would necessitate costly redundancies or complex cost-sharing arrangements, making operations inefficient and more expensive.

3.     Insufficient Funding Without Integration
The proposed mill levy increase alone does not fully cover EMS expenses. Without shared use of existing resources—such as facilities, insurance coverage, and personnel—EMS would likely become financially unsustainable.

4.     Personnel and Training Efficiency
An integrated budget allows for flexible staffing, cross-training, and the efficient use of limited personnel. Financial separation would complicate payroll, hinder collaborative training, and make personnel management more difficult and costly.

5.     Administrative Burden
Dedicating funds would substantially increase the administrative workload for the Fire Chief and volunteers, diverting time and attention away from service delivery and community protection.

If the mill levy passes, will you be updating the service plan to include EMS?

Yes, if the mill levy is approved, Deer Mountain Fire Protection District will formally update its service plan to include EMS, which is not currently covered under the existing service agreement.

What happens if the mill levy does not pass?

If the ballot measure fails, Deer Mountain will lose its local EMS services, and emergency medical response may be delayed or not deployed—especially if outside agencies are already on other calls.

How many EMS calls does the department take?

Deer Mountain experienced a 28% increase in call volume in 2024 compared to 2021. The department has seen an average increase of 20% year over year for the past five years. Of these calls, 63% were classified as EMS.

Why can’t Fremont County provide EMS services?

Fremont County does not have the budget or capacity to provide dedicated EMS for our special district. The responsibility lies with local districts to fund and manage services.

Can’t we just rely on AMR or another agency?

Without local EMS, we risk losing mutual aid support.  AMR and similar providers may be available, but their response times can be hours.  This is not acceptable in a life-threatening emergency.  Local EMS is the only reliable solution for our district.

When did the last mill levy increase pass?

The last mill levy increase was in 2011, and costs for equipment, staffing, fuel, and insurance have all risen significantly over the past 14 years.

Will the fire department still operate without this funding?

Yes, but only with fire service. Without funding for EMS, fire services would be strained and potentially impacted in the future due to shared resources and budget pressure and due to this we will have to stop the local EMS service in the district.

What will the funds from the mill levy be used for?

The mill levy increase will help maintain the current level of EMS service within the district and support the purchase of essential fire service equipment.  While the increase will not fully cover the total cost of EMS operations, it will provide critical funding to sustain ambulance availability and improve fire response capabilities.

The funds will be used to:

• Pay EMS staff and EMTs
• Maintain and operate the district’s ambulances
• Cover EMS equipment, fuel, and readiness
• Keep response local and timely

How can I verify my assessed property value?

You can check your assessed value through the Fremont County Assessor’s website or by reviewing your most recent property tax statement.

How can I help support this campaign?

• Attend mill levy meetings
• Talk to your neighbors
• Share information online
• Vote YES on November 4, 2025
• Visit DMFPD.org for more information