Fourteen rural fire departments across Colorado have been awarded more than $33,000 in grant funding through the Black Hills Corporation Foundation’s 2026 Funds for Firefighters program. The assistance is aimed at departments that operate on tight municipal budgets and face soaring equipment prices.
Local departments get a financial boost
Among the recipients is the Cripple Creek Fire Department, which received a $2,500 grant. Fire Chief O’Conor explained that the department does not have a dedicated fire tax and relies entirely on the city budget, leaving little room for unexpected expenses. “We are small, so we rely on the city budget because we are not a fire protection district,” he said. “Our budget was tight when I got here almost five years ago, and it continues to be tight.”
Rising costs have strained many rural departments. “We have hose that used to be a couple hundred dollars is now $500 or $600,” O’Conor noted, adding that many essential supplies have doubled in price, forcing departments to defer replacements.
Grant money put to immediate use
The Cripple Creek grant was used to purchase two wildland fire shelters, providing vital protection for firefighters confronting extreme wildfire conditions. “If we are put in a position where the wildfire is going to overtake the position that we’re in, this is a last‑ditch effort to save the lives of the firefighters,” O’Conor said.
In addition, the department bought two new heart defibrillators to replace units that were roughly 20 years old. The aging devices had become difficult to maintain and calibrate due to daily use. “Like any piece of technology, it has a lifespan and we were having more and more trouble keeping them calibrated,” O’Conor explained.
Chief O’Conor expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support, stating that the nonprofit “has helped wonderfully to fill that gap” and allowed the department to address critical operational needs without further straining the city’s limited budget.
Broader impact for rural fire services
The Black Hills Corporation Foundation’s Funds for Firefighters program is designed to assist smaller, city‑funded fire departments that lack the tax base of larger fire protection districts. By providing targeted grants, the foundation helps these departments maintain essential life‑saving tools, keep equipment up to date, and ensure the safety of both firefighters and the communities they serve.
Officials hope that the infusion of funds will encourage other rural departments to seek similar assistance and highlight the importance of private‑sector partnerships in sustaining public safety infrastructure across Colorado’s more remote areas.
For more information about the program or to apply for future funding, fire departments can contact the Black Hills Corporation Foundation directly.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
