Save our Emergency Medical Service on the Mountain

Help Us Keep Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Deer Mountain

Deer Mountain Fire Protection District is launching a community-wide education campaign to support a crucial mill levy increase on the ballot this November.

This increase is vital to maintaining EMS services in our district. Without it, our community will lose local ambulance coverage and life-saving emergency medical response when minutes matters.

Why It Matters:

For years, DMFPD has funded EMS through its fire department budget, a temporary solution that has now depleted financial reserves and is no longer sustainable. Without the approval of a modest tax increase, EMS coverage in the district will be discontinued.

“This is not a scare tactic — it’s a reality we must face together,” said newly appointed Deer Mountain Fire Protection District Fire Chief, Marcus Widener.  “Without additional funding, we will lose local EMS.  There will be no ambulance response on the mountain if AMR or other agencies are already busy.  That puts every resident, visitor, and property owner at risk.”

Fremont County Commissioner Dwayne McFall echoed this concern, stating:

“Unfortunately, Fremont County does not have the resources nor the funding to operate an EMS service.  My hope is that you all have a very strong campaign informing the taxpayers of the district of the consequences if it does not pass. It would be devastating to lose this service. Without it,  AMR may respond—but it could be hours before they were able.  Nobody wants that to happen.”

 What’s at Stake:

•       DMFPD EMS and current ambulance operations

•       Trained EMS staffing

•       Local emergency response during medical crises

•       Community safety and protection of life and property

Bottom Line:

Losing EMS means longer wait times, delayed care, and greater risk to you and your family.

Download our Educational Poster Here

Download our Press Release Here

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What the Mill Levy Will Do:

A small increase in your property taxes will:

•       Keep local EMS available in DMFPD

•       Maintain and staff our ambulances

•       Provide local response for medical emergencies, accidents, and trauma

Estimated cost to property owners:  Approximately $47 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value).

This is a modest investment for a service that protects our family, our neighbors, our property, and our community.

Mill Levy Timeline:

Mill Levy Events:

 📍 August 16, 2025

 📍 September 20, 2025

 📍 October 18, 2025

Vote:

📍 November 4, 2025

Each Mill Levy Meeting begins at 1:00 PM and will include:  Q&A, details about the levy, and input from EMS leadership, and the community.

How You Can Help:

•       Attend a Mill Levy Meeting – Get informed, ask questions, and share your voice

•       Talk to Your Neighbors – Spread the word about what’s at stake

•       Vote YES in November – Help us Save our EMS on the Mountain

This isn’t about politics — it’s about safety, survival, and preserving critical services for everyone who lives in or visits our mountain.

Together, we can protect Deer Mountain. Vote YES to Save EMS.

How to Learn More:

Residents are encouraged to visit DMFPD.org for additional information and to submit questions directly to the board at Board@DMFPD.org. Please check back frequently for updates to the website as they are available.

Vote YES this November to help save EMS in our district — because when every second counts, local response matters.