The Estes Valley Fire Protection District will host an open house on Monday, Oct. 19, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Dannels Fire Station. Community members are invited to visit the station at 901 N. St. Vrain Ave. during business hours for cake, conversation, and a look back at nearly 120 years of local firefighting history. The event marks three decades since the station opened in 1996 and recognizes generations of residents who have contributed to the evolution of fire protection in the Estes Valley.
The Dannels Fire Station is named in honor of Bernie Dannels, who served as a volunteer firefighter from 1960 to 1981, an Estes Park Board of Trustees member from 1972 to 1984, and mayor from 1984 to 1996. His father, Henry Dannels, served on the town board, and his son, Greg, volunteered as a firefighter for about 20 years, continuing a legacy of public service.
The history of organized fire protection in the area began on January 20, 1907, when 20 residents formed the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department. Their initial equipment was modest, consisting of 100 feet of hose wrapped around a buggy cart, with a circular saw used to sound the alarm. Dr. Homer James served as the department's first chief, and the initial firehouse was located behind the old Estes Park Bank. This facility was rebuilt in 1911 to include a tower and bell, which summoned firefighters until a water-driven siren replaced it in 1925.
Early firefighting efforts faced significant challenges. A notable example is the February 1922 fire at the Hupp Hotel, where firefighters had to contend with frozen hydrants and a power plant shutdown, relying on bucket brigades, garden hoses, and hand extinguishers to combat the blaze. This incident spurred a successful fundraising campaign the following month for a motorized engine. By August 1923, a new $6,500 fire truck, equipped with ladders, axes, lanterns, an electric siren, and a bell, arrived. September 1923 also saw the start of construction for a $6,000 Town hall and firehouse, designed to house council chambers, caretaker quarters, and a jail cell.
Fundraising remained a crucial aspect of the department's operations for decades. The first Fireman’s Ball in 1934 raised $150, with admission at $1 per couple. In 1960, volunteers successfully raised approximately $14,000 to replace an aging military surplus truck that struggled on the mountain roads. During this period, firefighters served without pay and even covered the costs of cleaning their smoke-damaged clothing. Training also evolved; while early firefighters gained experience on the job during crises, volunteers later dedicated 50 to 75 hours annually to training as their responsibilities expanded beyond structure fires to include vehicle crashes and hazardous materials incidents.
Longtime Fire Chief Jack Rumley, who joined the department in 1973 and became its volunteer chief in 1979, guided the development of the Dannels Fire Station. He predicted the new facility “should keep the department in good standing for at least 25 years.” Scott Dorman, who joined in 1983 and became chief in 1997, transitioned the department further. The community's growing emergency service needs led the Town of Estes Park to appoint Dorman as its first full-time, paid fire chief in August 1999, marking a shift towards the combination of career personnel and volunteers that serves the Estes Valley today. In 2009, voters approved the formation of the Estes Valley Fire Protection District, transforming what was a Town fire department into a special district.
The district has faced numerous significant emergencies throughout its history. These include the 1978 fire at the historic Estes Park Chalet, the 1992 electrical fire at the Trail-Gazette offices, the destruction of the main building at National Park Village North in 1992, and the 2009 Park Theater Mall fire. More recently, the community has seen major wildfires like the 2012 Woodland Heights Fire, the Fern Lake Fire, and the unprecedented 2020 wildfire season with the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome Fires, which forced the evacuation of Estes Park. Other incidents include the 2021 Kruger Rock Fire, the 2024 Ponderosa Lodge Fire, the 2025 Haber Motel arson, and the 2026 Expedition Lodge fire, which caused an estimated $5 million in damages. These emergencies highlight the unique challenges of protecting a mountain community, where terrain, weather, distance, and limited water supplies complicate firefighting efforts.
Thirty years after its dedication, the Dannels Fire Station remains central to district operations, though future improvements and expansion are anticipated. Funding questions, such as those addressed by earlier generations who purchased the first motorized engine and replacement trucks, continue today. Voters are currently considering Ballot Issue 6D on Nov. 3, which proposes a district-wide 0.5% sales tax. This measure is expected to generate over $3 million annually for operations, training, equipment, and capital improvements. For years, Estes Park has allocated approximately $1.3 million annually in Town sales tax revenue to fire protection, but Town officials have discussed redirecting this funding toward a new police public safety facility. The district also receives property taxes through its existing mill levy.
The equipment and demands placed on the Estes Valley Fire Protection District have changed dramatically since its inception in 1907. However, the fundamental tradition of neighbors helping neighbors continues. The district invites all residents to join the celebration, share cake, and engage in conversation with those dedicated to protecting the Estes Valley.
