Senate bill 223 would allow public safety officials (trained personnel) to raise money for charity in the right-of-way. Local ordinances - including here in Castle Rock - have been passed to stop aggressive panhandling and were not intended to effect firefighters, but nevertheless have also affected our annual Fill-The-Boot fundraiser for MDA.

Last year was the first year that the ordinance was in place and we were able to raise less than 50% of our normal amounts. This money is used in our community, so the less that is raised, the less support families can receive. We know that many of you that spoke in favor of this ordinance in Castle Rock also spoke in favor of allowing us to continue to raise money, but the town was unable to make a distinction. This bill would allow for that distinction without allowing the unwanted panhandling.

Please take a few minutes and send an e-mail to Senator Tom Wiens. Just click on the link for his address and an e-mail will open up. Feel free to personalize it as you see fit. If you are using a web-based e-mail program, open the Word document and copy the text.  tom@tomwiens.com

Thank you for your support.

The Castle Rock Fire Explorer Post 107 has landed on the web. Please follow the link on the right side of this main page to learn more about the post and to see if you are interested!

In a very surprising and upsetting move Governor Ritter has decided not to support fire fighters right to collectively bargain.  This is a very surprising move, especially since that was the promise he made that moved Colorado's professional fire fighters to endorse him.  CPFF President Randy Atkinson is trying to change the Governor's mind but so far it does not look promising.

Look on the left side of the main page for a link to the file. It is in PDF format.

Thanks to everyone who come out for the chili supper! We look forward to seeing you again next year.

Five members of the department's honor guard traveled to Emmitsburg, Maryland on October 7 to participate in the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The members arranged sponsors to cover all travel expenses as well as had to find personal time to attend the service. They would like to thank the following organizations and businesses in Castle Rock for their monetary support and ask that you in-turn support them: Castle Rock Professional Firefighters Local 4116, Castle Rock Fire Officers Association, Castle Rock Imports, Centex Homes, Commerce Tile, CTX Mortgage Company, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Olinger Funeral Home Services, Rampart Pet and Feed, Sports Clips, and Wells Fargo. Pictures of the memorial can be found in the Photo Gallery.